Origin and brief history
The Australian Terrier descends from Great Britain; however the breed was developed in Australia. They come from rough coated type terriers brought from Great Britain to Australia in the early 19th century. The Australian Terrier was bred to eradicate rats and mice. They were originally called the Rough Coated Terrier and were recognized in 1933 by the American Kennel Club.
The Australian Terrier is alert and very spirited when hunting. They are highly trainable and will need to be socialized with other animals. The Australian Terrier can be dog aggressive and a little bossy, so it will need an assertive owner to ensure that they are trained. They have a very strong confidence and will easily challenge another household pet or human. If trained properly they can be very people friendly, but will need to be kept active, since they were bred for hunting purposes. They are very loyal and wish to be around the family most of the time.
The Australian Terrier only sheds a small amount which makes grooming very easy. Brushing them once a week and bathing when needed should suffice. Dental and ear hygiene as well as nail clippings should be done once a month. Since the Australian Terrier is very active and likes to dig, it will be important to check the paw pads and body frequently for any small wounds.
Specification of breed
The Australian Terrier is a small dog with upright ears; it has short legs and weighs about 14 pounds. They stand about 9.8 inches at the withers. They have a rough double coat, which is shaggy. The fur around the muzzle, feet, and lower legs, is generally shorter. The coat colors can range from blue to red. Traditionally the tail was docked, however some choose to leave them undocked. The breed has longevity of 11 years. The Australian Terrier can have endocrine, as well as cataracts and musculoskeletal problems.
The Australian Terrier has a high prey drive and will need to be kept active and focused to ensure that they do not chase other pets and animals. They will also dig up gardens in search of moles or gophers and can be quiet destructive if left unsupervised and not exercised. They also enjoy barking and can be a handful sometimes. It is best to find an activity or job for the Australian Terrier so that it can expend its energy on something positive and rewarding. The Australian Terrier will need a strong owner who is both assertive and patient.
image credit wikipedia.org