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© Roughcollie (Karen Arnold) | Dreamstime.com
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Australian Terrier
Breed origin: Australia
Original purpose: Ratter and hedge hunter.
AKC recognized: 1960
AKC group: Terrier
Size:
Height: 10 to 11 inches
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© Roughcollie (Karen Arnold) | Dreamstime.com
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Color: Blue and tan, solid sandy and solid red.
Life span: 10 to 13 years.
General characteristics/temperament: The Australian Terrier is small, sturdy, spirited, alert, courageous, and self-confident, with the natural aggressiveness of a ratter and hedge hunter. They are friendly and affectionate as companions, and make good watchdogs with their excellent hearing and good eyesight. They are versatile and do well both in the city and on farms. With their weatherproof double-coat, Australian Terriers are generally adaptable to any climate and terrain. They are born diggers and excellent jumpers, and have strong hunting instincts and cannot resist the urge to chase squirrels, cats, etc. As with other terrier breeds, they can be dominant and aggressive to other dogs and may not do well in multi-dog households. In general, adult males do not get along with other adult males.
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© Roughcollie (Karen Arnold) | Dreamstime.com
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Good with other dogs? No
Good with cats? No
Good watchdog? Yes
OK in apartments? Yes
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© Roughcollie (Karen Arnold) | Dreamstime.com
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Energy/Activity Level: High
Suitable canine sports/activities: agility, obedience, earthdog, tracking
Exercise requirement: Daily walks and/or play sessions.
Grooming requirement: Regular brushing and only an occasional bath. Some long hairs around the eyes need to be hand plucked so they do not irritate the eyes. The waterproof double coat sheds very little with regular brushing. Show dogs require more hand plucking and shaping to give them the profile needed in the show ring.
Known health problems: Diabetes, thyroid disorders, allergies, flea-bite dermatitis, luxating patellas, Legg-Calve Perthes disease, epilepsy.
Additional photos of Australian Terrier
Recommended books for further reading:
Other websites for additional information:
American Kennel Club breed page
Australian Terrier Club of America
Wikipedia breed information page
Australian Terrier Rescue
DogBreedMatch
