The Australian Terrier is a smart, confident, and lively dog. This breed was the first one to be bred as an all-Australian dog breed. They established a breed club in Melbourne in 1887, and from there, Aussies spread to the UK, USA, and other parts of the world. However, it took more than 70 years for the breed to be recognized by the AKC, and a little less by the KC (around 46 years). No matter the recognition, these spirited dogs proved to be excellent watchdogs and companions for families all around the globe.

1. Size

The Australian Terrier is a small dog. Both males and females have similar proportions with male dogs usually being slightly bigger or heavier.

• Breed standard height: 10 to 11 inches (25 to 28 cm)
• Breed standard weight: 15 to 20 pounds (6.5 to 9 kg)

The Australian Terrier might be small, but this is a sturdy dog. These are working dogs with slightly longer bodies in proportion to their height. Their small dark brown eyes give an intelligent and keen expression.

2. Color

There are three AKC-accepted breed standard coat colors. It’s the same with the Royal Kennel Club in the UK or the Australian National Kennel Council. The colors are:

• Blue and tan
• Red
• Sandy

The tan part is rich tan and appears on the face, ears, belly, and lower part of the legs. The “top-knot” is a lighter shade than the head color. You can see some examples in the pictures below.

3. Social Traits

These small lively dogs are no matter how spunky still very attached to their people. They are the happiest when around their favorite humans. This means they go great as family dogs. Of course, like any other dog breed, they need proper socialization and habituation from an early age. They go well with children, however, we need to make sure toddlers or babies are never alone with any dog no matter how well-trained or socialized the dog is. Accidents can always happen and it is better to be safe than sorry. 

Because they make strong bonds with people, Aussies can suffer separation anxiety. During my talk with some of the owners of the lovely dog breed, they said having two helped with the problem. 

The Australian Terrier often suffers from separation anxiety

As with most terriers, the Australian Terrier can also act high and mighty with other dogs. This means they go well with other dogs with a tendency to be dominant. But, nothing is ever black and white. It depends a lot on their upbringing, socialization, previous contact with dogs, the relationship with their mom while they were still small puppies and personality. 

A lot of Australian Terrier owners said their dogs had a high prey drive. Now, once again, you might have a pretty mellow Aussie who doesn’t want to chase squirrels or other small animals, but bear in mind they were bred to do these things. So, most of them can’t be let loose in the park or unknown and unfenced areas. Keep them on a leash. 

Good with children: yes, needs socialization

Good with other dogs: yes, with proper socialization

Good with small animals: no, strong prey drive  

4. Activity Needs

Because of their small size and the great bond they make with people, the Australian Terrier can’t be outside on his own all day long. They need their people and they need to do things with the people! But, don’t worry. They are not tireless little machines. They are dogs after all and offering them quality mental stimulation is equally important as physical stimulation.

They love to dig, so make sure you have proper fencing to prevent them from escaping

Generally speaking, an adult Australian Terrier needs around 1 hour of daily exercise. This can be made up of walks, playtime, indoor games, outdoor games, or anything else you and your dog enjoy doing together. Just make sure you have proper fencing. They are diggers and will escape if given the opportunity. 

Activity needs: up to 1 hour (suited for either country or town)

5. Trainability

Generally speaking, the Australian Terrier is easy to train. The key is to keep it interesting. Don’t repeat the tasks over and over again, but make it versatile. Make them think you are on a mission or it’s something they see as fun.

Terriers being terriers, you might need to use fun games as rewards or combine games with training. Hide the treat and let them find it. Just remember to not overuse the treats. Dogs might get used to getting treats and won’t do anything unless they get one.

Trainability: 4 out of 5 

Struggle with: Recall (high prey drive)

6. Feeding

Generally speaking, an adult Australian Terrier needs from 0.5 to 1 cup of high-quality kibble food a day. You should divide the amount into two meals – one in the morning and the other one in the evening. This is a general recommendation, but it can vary. How much food a dog needs depends on various factors, from age to health and activity levels. It also depends on what food you give to your dog, homemade, kibble, or a combination. 

If you are in doubt, you can always ask a vet to recommend the daily amount as well as the type of food best suited for your dog. The key is, logically, to keep the dog healthy by providing versatile food full of proteins, low on carbohydrates, and with enough vitamins and minerals. 

An adult Australian Terrier needs around 0.5 to 1 cup of kibble food a day divided into two meals

7. Grooming

The Australian Terrier has a medium-long, rough, double coat. The body has a harsh straight dense top coat and a short and soft undercoat. The muzzle, lower parts of the legs, and feet do not have long hair. Even though they’ve got different lengths of fur, they are quite easy to groom. 

Don’t bathe them too often, because the shampoo can make the skin dry and flaky

You need to brush them once a week (it is recommended), with a slicker or pin brush (or a combination of a bristle and pin brush) with an occasional bath – when they get too dirty. Also, they need regular nail trimming. The only part of the coat that needs additional attention is the hair that grows between the eyes or above (like the eyebrows). They need to be regularly plucked (with regular tweezers).

Shedding: Minimal

Brushing: Once a week

8. Possible Problems

Generally speaking, this is a healthy dog breed. Responsible breeding programs lead to a healthy breed. Testing breeding dogs and not using them in breeding programs if they come up as positive is the key. However, as with any other living thing in the world, the Australian Terrier can also have some health issues. The most common are:

• Luxating patella
• Eye problems
• Thyroid problems

Life expectancy: 10 to 15 years

Summary

The Australian Terrier is a great companion dog. They are very loyal and playful, and even though they are small, they are sturdy dogs. Once bred to catch vermin, today they are excellent family dogs. But they still have a high prey drive, so keep that in mind when you go outside for a walk. A leash is a must. The Australian Terrier goes well with children of all ages and their small size makes them great companions for elderly people too. They are easy to carry if a need arises and they don’t require too much space or food. I am sure you will fall in love with the breed.

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Cover Photo by Ketterechts