Australian Terrier
Temperament:
Once they were supposed to catch rats and snakes. In the meantime, the Australian Terrier has become lovable family dogs. The small, funny fellows conquer quickly every heart, skillfully they wrap you around the finger. If your terrier has enough exercise, you can keep him in a city apartment. With his balanced character he is a reliable companion for single people and families.
Characteristics
With a height at withers of about 25 cm Australian Terriers remain relatively small. Females are more petite than their male breed counterparts. Your Australian will 11 to 15 years accompany you for a long time.
Relatively short legs supporting an elongated body, plus a pointed head with a funny mop of hair, this is an Australian Terrier. His gait is energetic, free and springy.
From the side you can see that the head is relatively flat and has a pronounced stop. The nose is black and the muzzle is strongly developed. With his small light brown, slightly oval eyes he looks cheerfully into the world. The pointed, upright ears do not miss the slightest sound.
The outer coat is dense and somewhat harsh, while the undercoat is soft and short. Around the neck, the coat forms the distinctive, breed-typical ruff. Typical is also the silver mop of hair. You can choose between different colors of this breed. Most often you will find Australian Terriers with a blue coat, where head and legs are tan. Somewhat rarer are uniform red or sand colored animals.
It is considered the smallest working terrier and is still used in Australia to catch rats, snakes and other small animals.
Like all terriers, your Aussie is agile and always enthusiastic for new things. You have the most fun with your dog when you let him sufficiently busy. This is what he was bred for. Then he unfolds all his personality and endearing nature.
Constantly funny and ready for anything, the breed is becoming more and more popular in Europe. His balanced nature makes him a popular family dog. Loyal and affectionate, he is a delightful companion. If he is used to children, he shows himself very patient.
Although he is small, he defends house, yard and his people with determination, without being a yapper.
To other dogs and strangers he is open-minded and friendly.
We recommend that you train or educate an Australian Terrier when it is still a puppy, because it can also be very stubborn.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
For the small animals with their small stomachs, it is advantageous if they eat several portions throughout the day. The composition and amount of food depends on the age and activity of your dog.
Make sure there is always enough fresh water available.
Australian Terrier need as active dogs Feed with high energy concentration. Especially if you exercise with him, resort to a performance feed or a high-energy feed supplement.
The puppies get special puppy food. If your little rascal is 1 year old, you go to normal food. For seniors, there is food that is adapted to the needs of older dogs.
Whether dry or wet food - it is important that the food is of high quality and contains all the necessary nutrients. This is the be-all and end-all of a healthy diet.
At Dry food you must also make sure that the chunks are not too big, but also not too small. Your dog should be able to chew them and not just swallow them.
Other options are barfing or preparing your dog's food yourself.
To find the right amount of food requires a little intuition and experience. With dogs that have a little more fur, the feed condition is difficult to see. Your Australian Terrier has the optimal figure when you can clearly feel the rear rib arches.
If your four-legged friend is too fat, it is just as harmful for him as for a human. Circulation, tendons and joints are unnecessarily stressed.
Treats that you give in between must be included in the food ration.
The coat of your Australian is easy to groom, it does not need to be trimmed, simple combing is enough. Only the hairs in the ears should be plucked out.
Regularly check the eyes and the hair. The hair around the eyes should not irritate the eyes. You can pluck them out gently.
You should bathe him only when urgent and not too often. Although a dog shampoo makes his coat silkier, nevertheless, the coat loses its dirt-repellent effect in the process. His skin can thus dry faster and become flaky
The claws should be regularly trimmed.
Your little Australian is full of energy, he wants to move a lot. Give him the opportunity to do so by taking him for a walk or a bike ride.
Optimally, you and your four-legged friend should have a sporting activity you are looking for. Here the selection is large. Whether you choose obedience, dogdancing, agility, or something else entirely, your Aussie will be enthusiastic about it. Maybe you will find your field of activity in a rescue dog team or herding sheep.
It is important that you do something together that you enjoy. Your terrier lives out his urge to move and is mentally stimulated. You will find that you, too, will face one or the other challenge that needs to be mastered. In training together you will strengthen your bond and become a team.
In dog sports, your four-legged friend has contact with other dogs. As a pack animal, he needs this for his mental balance.
Although terrier, the Australian Terrier is easier to train. It is suitable for beginners. Be loving and consistent in training. Do not forget that an Aussie can also be very stubborn.
The Australian is adaptable. He can live in the city or in a rural environment with enough exercise. He feels just as comfortable in a family with children as with a single person. Important is the close contact with his human and an occupation that keeps him busy.
Suitable accessories
The equipment includes first of all a Food bowl and a water bowl.
When it's time to go outside, you'll need a collar or for such a small dog, a well-fitting tableware. Try out in the store, which of the many harnesses fits your dog best. The choice is large and not always the brand that is currently fashionable is good and suitable for your dog.
To the harness you hook either a short, fixed leash or if your Aussie should have a little more freedom, a Flex leash.
Your dog must have the opportunity to retreat. A cuddly ceiling, a Basket placed in a quiet corner of the apartment, perform well here and are gladly accepted.
Your active terrier loves to have many Toys to have around, with each dog developing different preferences. For one, chasing after a ball is the greatest thing, while another may be more enthusiastic about tug toys. Base your choice of games on your dog.
Also remember that you will need to transport your little friend by car. Be it to the vet or to visit friends. Here performs a Transport box good services.
Origin & History
In the middle of the 19th century, British immigrants brought their dogs to Australia. They became the ancestors of the Australian Terrier.
From different breeds like the Dandie Dinmont, Broken Coated Terrier, Scotch Terrier, Irish Terrier and the Cairn Terrier the Australian Terrier of today was born. Probably also Yorkshire Terrier and Sky Terrier crossed in.
The Australian Terrier is the first dog breed that originated in Australia. The settlers needed a small, maneuverable working dog. They bred exclusively for work performance, the appearance was secondary. The dogs should exterminate vermin, guard the property, herd sheep. Also they should defy heat, cold and rough bush land.
The miners sent the brave, tough dogs ahead into the shafts. There they killed the poisonous snakes and saved the lives of many people.
Quickly, the breed spread across the entire continent. In Europe, the Australian is hardly known. Only 1906 the first Australian Terrier arrived in England. To Germany came the first representatives of the breed only in the 1970s years.
The first official breeding standard was in 1896. At that time, in addition to standing ears, animals with drooping ears were also allowed. Only since 1947 Australian Terriers are allowed to have standing ears only.
The breed is recognized by the FCI since 1963 and the breeding is done by the Australian Terrier Club cared for. The club has established the breeding standard that is valid today.
