If you’re after a happy and playful companion, step right this way - the Australian Terrier is waiting for you. This small yet strong willed and sassy pup is a typical terrier, with heaps of energy to burn, a need to chase (and bark) and a desire to be top dog. Although utterly devoted to their human, Aussie Terriers can be stand-offish with new people and pups and do best as the solo pet in your home. Give them plenty of daily exercise and attention and you’ll have one affectionate and happy pup.
Australian Terrier Facts
The Australian Terrier is one of the smallest working terriers, growing to a maximum of 28cm. They squeeze a lot of energy and joy into their (small) size though!
- Breed Group: Terrier
- Height: 25-28cm
- Weight: 7-9kg
- Life Span: 11-15 years
- Coat: Short, wiry, double
- Colour: Blue and tan, red or sandy
What Does an Australian Terrier Look Like?
There’s no mistaking the working terrier in an Australian Terrier. One glance at that wiry short coat and you know you’ve got a hard-working terrier on your hands. Aussie Terriers coats are either blue and tan; red; or sandy, all with black markings. The other distinguishing features of their coat are the extra fluffy parts around their neck and torso, and the long, soft, silky hair on their head which contrasts with the rest of their harsh coat.
Their coat isn’t just for good looks. The Australian Terrier’s coat is developed to help provide protection against the harsh Australian outback weather - it’s basically weatherproof. Plus, that ruff around their neck is protection from snake bites when they’re working in the bush.
Small yet sturdy (they’re working dogs after all), Aussie Terriers have a long body and neck and short legs but don’t let those fool you - these are quick, energetic terriers. The other telltale signs of a terrier are the pointed ears that stand proudly on top of their head, the jaunty high set tail, and the bright dark eyes - a sure sign of their alertness and intelligence.
Australian Terrier
Australian Terrier Temperament: Spirited Soul
The best things come in small packages - or at least that’s what an Australian Terrier will tell you. There’s a lot of spirit and sass crammed into these small dogs. Known for being upbeat, lively dogs, Aussie Terries are bursting with energy. They tackle life with plenty of curiosity and grit.
For all their self-confidence, Aussie Terriers aren’t fans of meeting new people and pets. In fact, they can be quite aloof and stand-offish. That’s because Australian Terriers bond very strongly to their people and no one else can compare (or deserves your attention - Aussie Terriers don't like to share). As well as being bred to hunt vermin, they were bred to be companions. Aussie Terriers do best in homes where someone will be with them at all times. If you work away from home, look into doggy daycare or a dog walker.
An Australian Terrier left alone by themselves or who doesn’t get enough daily exercise will get lonely, bored and mischievous. Think chewing your favourite shoes or barking at absolutely everything. Plus, with those terrier instincts, Aussie Terriers love digging and can’t resist chasing small, furry things including cats and rabbits.
This means Australian Terriers aren’t the best fit in a multi-pet home, including other dogs. Not only do they have that chase instinct but they want you all to themselves. But if you’re looking for a fun, energetic, doggy playmate who’s going to lavish you with love and attention, the Australian Terrier is a great choice.
Keeping Australian Terriers Healthy: 3 Issues to Watch Out For
Australian Terriers have a healthy expected lifespan of 11 and 15 years. It’s still worth keeping an eye out for these health issues though, to ensure you have a long, healthy and happy life together.
Joint Problems
Common in small dog breeds, Australian Terriers can develop luxating patellas which is when the kneecap slips out of alignment. An Aussie Terrier with a luxating patella might skip for a few steps, get their leg locked in an odd angle or experience lameness. Painful for dogs, left untreated it can lead to inflammation and loss of mobility. Medication and surgery can help, if needed.
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus in Australian Terriers is a lot like Type 1 diabetes in humans. This means it’s hereditary rather than related to diet and responsible breeders should screen for it. Like with humans, an Aussie Terrier with diabetes mellitus will be excessively thirsty, wee a lot, eat more than usual, but lose weight. It can be treated with diet management, exercise and medication.
Skin Allergies
Skin allergies are uncomfortable and no fun for Aussie Terriers. Watch out for them frequently licking their paws or rubbing their face - skin allergies can make them feel very itchy. Your vet will be able to help you work out what’s causing the skin allergies. Like humans, it can be an allergy to pollen, mould, dust or more. Skin allergies are easily treated, usually with ointments, medicated shampoo or medication.
Caring for Your Australian Terrier Dog
That short wiry coat doesn’t need much attention. Instead, your goal with your Australian Terrier will be making sure they get enough daily exercise, attention and training.
Grooming
With their wiry double coat that’s weatherproof, an Aussie Terrier’s grooming needs are minimal as their coat repels dirt and mud by itself. A quick weekly brush will keep them looking their best. Watch out for any long hairs that grow in front of or in between the eyes. Left unchecked, they can irritate their eyes. You can remove them by pulling them out or using tweezers. Oh, and you can skip the haircuts too - Australian Terriers don’t need them.
Although a wet soapy dog is pretty adorable, try to avoid bathing your Australian Terrier too often. Shampoo can soften their wiry coat, reducing its ability to repel dirt. Plus, too much bathing can cause your Aussie Terrier to develop dry, flaky skin. Keep baths to a minimum and only when necessary.
Final grooming bits include weekly ear checks. Check inside their ears for any dirt or debris build up and give them a gentle clean with ear wipes, if needed. Regularly trim their nails to keep them comfortable as they move about. Aim to brush their teeth every day to help keep their mouth healthy. And you’re done!
Nutrition
With their high exercise needs, Australian Terriers need plenty of nutritious food to fuel their activities. Choosing quality commercial dog food that suits their life stage (puppy, adult or senior) will ensure they get all the energy they need.
As a small dog, Aussie Terriers are at risk of obesity - it can be easy to over feed them, even with all the running around they do. Especially when it comes to treats. With training forming part of your daily lives together, keep an eye on how many treats they’re getting each day - those calories can add up. Rather than always rewarding them with treats, mix it up - they’ll also enjoy a favourite toy or a play session with you.
Exercise
You know what you’re getting with a terrier - a high energy level. Australian Terriers might be one of the smallest working terrier breeds but their exercise needs are big. Aussies are very active, energetic and adventurous and need regular exercise to stave off boredom and the blues. Think 60 to 90 minutes of exercise every day.
Luckily, this doesn’t mean you’ll be going on extra long walks multiple times a day - indoor and outdoor play sessions count towards this total. Mix it up with long walks, off-leash time in a fully fenced secure area, and hide and seek. Aussie Terriers are great with kids so will happily play with them for hours. For indoor time, stock up on puzzle toys to keep their brains engaged - they’re smart pups.
Make sure your Aussie is always on a leash, including on walks. Their prey drive is so high that they’ll disappear at the first sign of any interesting critter. Off-leash play time should only happen in a secure, fully fenced back garden or dog park.
Training
Australian Terriers are strong-willed, independent pups who want to be top dog. They suit experienced pet parents best, who have the skills, consistency and patience to help them become well-mannered family members. Sometimes training can’t overcome an Aussie Terrier’s in-built traits, like possessiveness of toys and their humans. This usually means Aussie Terriers suit being the only dog in a home.
With their aloofness towards strangers and reluctance to meet other dogs, early socialisation is really important for Aussie Terriers. It can boost their confidence and comfort when they’re in new environments and around new people and pups. Enrol them in puppy school or take them on neighbourhood walks when they’re a puppy so they can sniff and meet new people and pups.
Keep training sessions short because Aussie Terriers get bored doing the same thing over and over again. However, they do like structure (working dogs!) so try to train them at the same time every day.
Australian Terriers are barkers. Although it’s natural for Aussie Terriers to bark at visitors, strangers and other dogs, training can help them learn when to dial down the barking. With a lot of in-built tendencies, like barking and chasing, training can help curb these behaviours but they’ll never be fully trained out.