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The Australian Terrier Shop

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Australian Terrier Breed Summary

Tenacious, Independent, Hardworking, and Lively

These dogs are known for their incredibly happy and playful personalities. However, they are also very hearty and robust little characters! As they are Terriers, they are very alert by nature and are also extremely adaptable; they are just as happy to live in an apartment as they would be in a mansion.

Fun Fact: They became a recognized breed in 1936.

Kennel Club Group Terrier
Lifespan 12 - 14 years
Height (at the withers) Males and Females 10in - 11in
Weight Males and Females 15lb - 20lb
Coat Coat is Longer, Harsh and Coarse. Top Coat is Dense and Under Coat is Shorter and Softer
Color Blue, Steel blue, Dark Gray blue
Eye color Dark Brown
Common health issues Diabetes, Cataracts, Luxating patellas, Ruptured cruciate ligaments, Allergic dermatitis, Ear infections
Other Names Aussie, Aussie Terrier

The mischievous and high-spirited personality of these Australian Terrier's means that they are full of attitude, and often have the confidence of a larger breed, so it's best to watch out for them in cases of confrontation, where these pooches may get a little too big for their collars! Attitude aside, this breed will become strongly attached to its family​ and will love each member for different reasons. Their affectionate and playful ways make them the perfect playmate for a child and these dogs have actually been known to match their mood to your own! So, if you're feeling down, they will act calm and quiet and attempt to cuddle in with you but if you're happy and excited, they will become lively and playful.

Among the touches of home that 19th-century British settlers brought to Australia were several breeds of working terrier. The Aussie is said to be the result of interbreeding such breeds as the Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, Norwich, Scottie, Skye, and Yorkshire terriers. Aussies were bred to be fearless, all-purpose exterminators, working on small mammals and snakes. Life in the remote regions of Australia with little company forged a tight bond between Aussies and their people and these tough little dogs, among the smallest of the working terriers, proved to be cuddly and eternally devoted when work was over. To this day, outgoing Aussies are people-oriented companions who don't do well when neglected—they practically demand to be part of the family. The Australian Terrier can make a fair claim to being “Australia's Dog.” It was the first native breed to be officially recognized in its homeland, and the first Australian breed to be recognized in other countries. The first club devoted to the breed was founded in Melbourne in 1887, a breed standard was devised, and imports to America and Britain began soon after. The Kennel Club (England) granted the Aussie breed status in 1933, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1960.