Australian Terrier – a dog for all occasions

Small, robust and courageous – if you want a handy companion that participates in every fun with great enthusiasm and loves its humans more than anything, the Australian Terrier is the right choice! The clever dwarfs have everything you could wish for in a family and companion dog: friendliness, intelligence and adaptability. These terriers are also an interesting option for first-time dog owners.

With toughness and heart – the terrier from Australia

The Australian Terrier is one of the few terrier breeds that originated outside of Great Britain. However, its ancestors came with the immigrants from the British Isles to the hot continent at the other end of the world. Many well-known breeds such as the Scottish Terrier, Sky and Cairn Terrier as well as the English Yorkshire Terrier and the Irish Terrier were involved in the creation of the Australian Terrier.

With the settlement of Australia, the requirement arose for a versatile terrier that could take on numerous tasks in the countryside. In addition to hunting mice and rats, this was also the defense against snakes. At the same time, he was a guard dog and even a herding dog for sheep and cows. In order to fulfill all these tasks, the small, handy dogs had to bring extraordinary toughness, speed and courage. Their small size and easy-care coat, which is just as useful in the cold as in the heat, were great advantages for the active dogs.

Today, the little “Aussie” has found lovers all over the world. In Germany, the globally recognized breed is bred by registered breeders. You can find suitable contacts, for example, at the Association for the German Canine Society (VDH) in the breeder list for the Australian Terrier.

The character of the Australian Terrier

There is a great character in this little dog. Australian Terriers are incredibly clever and intelligent. They learn new things – be it good or bad – in a very short time. They are extremely teachable, but not necessarily willing to cooperate at any price. Their “will to please” – their willingness to cooperate – depends heavily on the arguments of their humans. Food, respect and the ability to motivate the four-legged student achieve more than toughness or even a lack of fairness.

Aussies are extremely loving and friendly to their humans. If they have been properly socialized, they also show their soft, cuddly side towards children and are then also suitable as a family dog. They are extremely patient and have a high stimulus threshold. Small, fur-pulling hands are ignored for a long time before an Australian Terrier takes a position. If you keep an eye on the coexistence of dog and child, you will gain a priceless comforter, cuddle partner and educational assistant on the way to independence.

Unlike many other terrier breeds, the Australian Terrier is also considered to be quite compatible with other dogs. If you provide him with regular contact in puppy playgroups and dog school from the very beginning, the chances are good that your four-legged friend will get along with most of his conspecifics even as an adult dog.

No terrier without a hunting instinct – this also applies to the Aussie. However, this is moderate and concentrates on smaller animals such as rats or squirrels. However, he can follow these with vehemence and a lot of volume. Barking is generally an important characteristic of the Australian Terrier: He likes to hear his own voice, say lovers of the breed.

Education and Husbandry

As small as the compact terrier may be – he absolutely needs training! His funny, nimble and creative character could otherwise tempt him to do all kinds of nonsense. With a calm, consistent and fair education from day one in the new home, you can steer this exuberance in the right direction.

Long walks, hikes, bike rides or even horseback rides are an important part of the right workload. But it’s good if you can also give him a task that promotes body and mind. Because the Australian Terrier is so versatile, all possibilities are open to you here: action with agility, concentration with nose work, fun playing or even working on the sheep while herding – try out as much as possible and find the right one for your Aussie.

Caring for the Australian Terrier

When it comes to caring for the robust Aussie coat, less is more! Occasional combing and brushing as well as plucking out old hair are enough to keep the coat tidy. So well-groomed, the little terrier sheds only a little. At the same time, he has the right coat in summer and winter to be out and about without a coat.

Special features and health

Despite its toughness, courage and strong personality, the Australian Terrier is a gentle and well-trained representative of the terrier breeds. Its closeness and friendliness to humans also make this breed interesting for first-time dog owners. Before making a purchase decision, you should talk to owners and breeders of the breed to get to know these dogs in person. If you then buy a puppy from a recognized breeder and pay attention to excellent socialization, you have the best chances of a wonderful, honest and lovable companion in all situations.

Buying from a registered breeder offers you another advantage: The parents have been extensively tested for possible diseases such as patellar luxation or diabetes as part of the breeding approval. This increases the chance of getting a healthy puppy. With good care, plenty of exercise in the fresh air and appropriate feeding, the likeable terriers from Australia can live up to 15 years.

ProfileAustralian Terrier

Other terrier breeds you might also like:

• Airedale Terrier: As the “King of the Terriers”, the conspicuously black and brown Airedale occupies a special position among its close relatives: On the one hand, it has the typical toughness and independence of the terriers, but on the other hand, it has a high willingness to cooperate and unlimited loyalty.
• Bedlington Terrier: A non-shedding terrier with curls? Yes, there is! The Bedlington Terrier is a very unusual representative of its kind. While its appearance is reminiscent of a lamb, it is quite a real terrier in character.
• Border Terrier: The Border Terrier is one of the most popular family dogs in its homeland – in the far south of Scotland. The clever and handy little terrier has a great character and little shedding fur.
• German Hunting Terrier: The German Hunting Terrier is one of the toughest, most straightforward and most hunting dog breeds in this country. Its courage and doggedness at work make it an outstanding hunting dog. For the owner, its determination and independence can become a challenge.
• Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: As an all-rounder, the Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier has been useful on Irish farms for centuries. Herding dog, guard and hunter in one, loyal and affectionate at the same time – the wheat-blonde, robust dog offers many advantages.
• Kerry Blue Terrier: Games, fun and hunting instinct – the Kerry Blue Terrier is a charming, but also serious companion with the typical terrier toughness. His lively nature, his intelligence and the will to work make the bearded Irishman an attentive four-legged friend, but he gets bored quickly.
• Irish Terrier: The Irish Terrier is one of the largest and quietest terrier breeds. Their long-legged, elegant physique is just as appealing as their friendly, child-loving character. With good socialization and consistent training, this dog breed is the right choice for active owners.