Australian Terrier

The Australian Terrier is a small breed of terrier.

Appearance

The Australian Terrier stands around 10 inches high at the withers and weighs around 14 pounds. He comes in blue and tan, or red. He has a low-set dog, with his length of body being a little longer than his height at withers. His body sits on top of his straight forelegs and should never be hung between them. He has a high-set tail which is customarily docked.

The head of the Australian Terrier is elongated, with a slight 'stop' and pricked ears. A peculiar feature of the head of the Australian Terrier is that the leather of the nose runs for about one and a half inches up the bridge of the nose.

The coat is rough or harsh to touch, with an undercoat. The other unique feature of the Austalian Terrier is that he possesses a ruff around his neck which was originally developed to protect the dog from snakes. In a pet situation, the coat is fairly low maintenance, the harshness repelling dirt. So, a weekly brushing is adequate. However, the showdog is usually 'smartened up' for the show ring by trimming the muzzle, lower legs and feet, the edges of the ears, and around the base of the tail and the vent.

Temperament

The Australian Terrier's delightful, easy going personality and friendly disposition makes him an ideal family pet for modern society. In Australia he is an icon, being affectionately known as 'the Aussie'.

History

The origin of the Australian Terrier is said to be from 'the best of the British terrier breeds'. These British terriers first arrived in Australia two centuries ago on convict ships. Upon arriving in dry, unforgiving virgin country, the terrier had to rid properties of not only rats that had also travelled on board those early ships, but also snakes and other indigenous Australian animals which threatened the developers and indeed the development of those early farm properties.

The first Australian settlers who originally owned the Australian Terrier, regarded them with no more esteem than the vermin they were bred to catch. One eminent member of the board who controlled the dog fancy in Australia over a century ago, praised the Victorian Poultry and Dog Society for 'not allowing the name 'Australian' to be prostituted to such vile uses as to be hung around the neck of such a wretched creature'. So they were first known simply as the 'black and tan rough haired terrier'.

However, around the 1930s, some of the aristocracy of England became interested in the little 'Aussie' because of his loyal friendly personality and his hardiness. This made him an easy dog to own as a household and child's pet. So, from that time onwards, the Australian Terrier developed as a showdog and as a pet throughout the world.