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Australian Terrier

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General
OtherNames		Aussie
Dog Group Kennel Club		Terrier
Breed Classification		The Australian Terrier is a member of the terrier group. They are small sturdy dogs, essentially used as working terriers, but can make excellent companion dogs. Today they are used in obedience and agility trials, but they also make great watchdogs and family pets.
Cost of Ownership Visit our dog food department
Average Food Cost		< £4
Feeding Requirements		These dogs are not expensive to feed.
Other Expenses		The price of a puppy is around £275. As they are a hardy breed and have very little grooming requirements, they are not an expensive breed to keep.
Average Puppy Price
Lifespan		9 - 15 years
Average Litter Size		4
General Physical Description		The Aussie is a lively outgoing terrier that loves human company. They are small but very sturdy, having been bred to be able to jump and run. There is a lot of character and terrier temperament in this small dog. They are busy little dogs that will do what they can to please. They differ from some other terriers in that they have a long neck and back. Their coats are harsh and straight on top and shorter and softer underneath.
Height Min Max Bitch 25.4cm 25.4cm Dog 25.4cm 25.4cm Weight Min Max Bitch 6.34kg 6.34kg Dog 6.34kg 6.34kg
Size Category		Small
Weight Height Range		The Aussie stands at approximately 25.4cms at the withers and weighs approximately 6.34kgs.
Ailments
Common Ailments
Susceptibility To Illness Pet insurance for dogs resource Pet health and vet advice		Low
Other
History		The Australian Terrier was created in Australia by the British in the early 19th century. They were created from terriers imported from northern England and Scotland. The result of this cross was the Aussie, used for hunting snakes and small animals. They were also used to guard the mines and sheep. They were granted official recognition by the Kennel Club of Great Britain in 1936, and in 1958 the American Kennel Club accepted them.
Intelligence		They are very intelligent little dogs that need firm training. They like to be kept busy, and if you do not give them something to do they will find something themselves. They have a great sense of fun and are enthusiastic about life. They are wary of strangers but in general are not too suspicious. If they are brought up with cats and young children then they can all live together quite peacefully.
Show Characteristics		The head should be long and strong with an alert expression. The nose should be black and the muzzle have an inverted V shape area, along the bridge of the nose (from nose to muzzle), with less hair. The jaws should allow a strong scissor bite, top teeth over bottom teeth. The eyes should be small, set well apart and be of a dark brown colour. The ears should never be cropped, and should be standing erect by four months of age. The neck should be long and blend into long shoulders. The legs should be well boned and muscular. The body is long in proportion to the height with a level topline. The feet should be small with tight toes. If docked, the tail should be set high and carried erect but not over the back. If undocked, it should again be set high and carried upright and as straight as possible, giving a good overall balance. The lower parts of the legs, the feet and the muzzle should have no long hair, the coat is harsh, straight and dense with a short, soft undercoat. They should be blue, steel blue or dark grey blue with a rich tan colour on the face, ears, feet and under carriage. The unacceptable colours are clear sandy, red or any dark shading.
Country Of Origin		Australia
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics Visit our dog training aids department
Energy		Medium
Overall Exercise		80 - 100 minutes
Distress Caused if Left Alone
Personal Protection		Medium
Suitability As Guard Dog		High
Risk of Sheep Worrying		High
Tendency to Bark		Medium
Ease of Transportation		High
Level of Aggression		Medium
Compatibility With Other Animals		Medium
Suitable For Children		Medium
General Character And Temperament		The Aussie is an intelligent, friendly little dog, that is very good at obedience and agility. They are very anxious to please and make good watchdogs. They are not yappy, as some of the small dogs can be, but will bark if necessary. They have to be trained quite strictly as they can do their own thing otherwise. They can be stubborn but they do love to please and revel in lots of human contact and praise. They are an active, outgoing and fun-loving breed.
Grooming Visit our dog grooming department
Coat Length		Short/Medium
Grooming Requirement		> Once a week
Trimming
Requires Professional Groomer		True
Grooming		An Aussie terrier in top condition will lose very little hair. They are easy to groom and have a weather resistant coat. These dogs should never be clipped and, if necessary should be plucked instead. They should be brushed and combed at least once a week and the ears checked for hair that may block the canals.
Colour		The Aussie can be blue and tan, steel blue, dark grey blue, solid sandy, red or solid black. There can be a change in coat colour when the puppy is about nine months old.
Shedding		Little
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies