External parameters of the Australian Terrier, the manifestation of the temperament and health of the pet, training, care: hair, ears, dental cavity. Puppy price. The Australian Terrier or Australian Terrier is a working breed that is closely related to the development of its cousin, the Australian Silky Terrier. Both dogs were bred from a general stock (terriers imported from the British Isles) in Australia in the 19th century. They can be great companions like the Yorkshire Terrier or the Jack Russell Terrier. The variety is sometimes called "aussie terrier" or "aussie".
Description of the external parameters of the Australian Terrier breed
These canines look like a mixed type of several different types of terriers. The Australian Terrier is one of the smallest working terriers and is actually smaller than some toy breeds. This dog usually has a height at the shoulder of 25 to 27 centimeters, and weighs from 4.5 to 6.35 kilograms.
- Head slightly large for the size of the animal's body and should demonstrate strength.
- Muzzle - long and wide. It only narrows slightly.
- Nose - black, pronounced.
- Eyes - small, set wide apart and very dark in color. They express friendliness and zeal.
- Ears The Australian Terrier is actually somewhat small, straight, erect in shape. They are expressive and agile.
- Neck - medium in length and strong.
- Frame - long, very strong and muscular without being fat or bulky. Some Australian Terriers are quite long in relation to their height.
- Tail - rather short and tapering towards the end. In America, it is traditionally cropped to half its natural length. However, this practice is becoming obsolete and actually banned in several countries.
- Limbs - short and stable.
- Paws - small, rounded.
- Coat It is a double breed and most of all distinguishes it from other terriers, especially the close silky terrier. The undercoat is short and soft and the outer layer is harsh and straight. The "coat" of an Australian Terrier should be approximately 5 centimeters long over the entire body, excluding the neck, top of the head, ears, tail, pasterns and feet. The hair on the ears, legs and mouth is significantly shorter than on the rest of the body. The hair on the top of the head forms a distinctive forelock, and on the neck a kind of ruff.
- Coloration - only in two colors: blue-brown and sandy-red. Both colors are equally acceptable in the show ring, but blue and brown are much more common. The blue tint on individual dogs can be dark, steel, or silvery. The colors should be clearly separated from each other, and the markings should be as rich as possible and appear on the head, ears, lower body, limbs, paws and around the anus. Sand or red dogs are required to be solid, and the clearer the better. The upper part of the head is lighter in color than the rest of the body.
Australian Terrier temperament
Manifestations of these dogs are surprisingly similar to the behavior of other terriers, but they are one of the least extreme and most adaptable to all family members. Unlike most other working terriers, the Australian terrier has long been bred for both companionship and working ability. As a result, pets tend to form extreme loyalty to their owners, but they are significantly more independent than most companion dogs. While many terriers bond with one person, the Australian Terrier loves everyone in the home and tends to be polite and susceptible to strangers. They may even climb onto their knees with new people to keep warm.
All Australian Terriers are sensitive to sound, so they are likely to bark when they hear a stranger approach, or even someone they knew relatively well. Because of this, the breed is an excellent watchdog. Pets are quite tolerant of children, however, they do not like rough handling, sudden movements or loud noises that come from the smallest children. Therefore, such dogs are most suitable for families with older children (8 years old and more). If you are a fan of terriers but want your dog to be more adaptable to different social situations, the Australian terrier can be a great choice.
The species does not have many problems in relations with its fellows. These dogs will not bark loudly, and challenge every dog they see, and many individuals live quite happily with a specimen of the polar sex. Some Australian terriers have dominance problems, but not extreme ones. Politeness with other dogs is manifested with purposeful upbringing. This breed will happily live alone or in pairs. Representatives of the species will not necessarily start a confrontation, but they certainly will not give up rivalry if such a situation arises. These are serious opponents, despite their size, powerful and persistent even for a large enemy. A significant proportion of the Australian Terrier will show serious problems when kept with an individual of the same sex.
The Australian Terrier has been bred to hunt pest pests, which it is still capable of. These dogs are famous in Australia for their ability to kill rats, rabbits and dangerous snakes. The species has a high level of quick prey for small animals. Such a pet, left alone in the yard or on the porch for some time, will catch lizards, cockroaches and even occasional squirrels. On a walk, the dog will strive to catch any small animal seen. These canines can be trained to get along with a domestic cat, but this will not work with the neighbour's cats.
Health features of the Australian Terrier
Australian terriers are considered healthier than most other working terriers. These canines have been bred for hundreds of years practically only because of their ability to work, therefore, the affected individuals were eliminated both naturally and artificially. In addition, the breed was not affected by the poor commercial breeding practices that many popular modern varieties are known for. Therefore, hereditary defects in the livestock are manifested in the lowest degree, they are not serious and not life-threatening.
Three completed Australian Terrier health surveys have been conducted from different countries. The results showed that individuals are likely to have a lifespan of 11 to 12 years. This is the average for purebred dogs, but generally lower than normal for breeds of the same size. By far the leading cause of 67% of deaths in the Australian Terrier population was cancer, and 13% was diabetes. These problems in 17% arose from old age.
Perhaps the most common ailments in Australian Terriers are skin allergies and allergic dermatitis (inflammation of the skin caused by an allergy to external factors or food). This breed has somewhat sensitive skin and many develop allergies to everything from household chemicals to insect bites. In particular, these dogs are extremely vulnerable to flea bites. Some Australian Terriers suffer from such severe consequences of such troubles, and may experience tremors. Owners of pets with allergic problems should do everything possible to prevent the pet from coming into contact with the "allergen". Otherwise, serious reactions will require costly veterinary treatment.
Experts always advise to regularly examine pets in proven medical centers, especially if breeders want to breed. This will allow timely identification of possible flaws and protect the breed from the appearance of "defective" offspring. Although these dogs are generally healthy, the following diseases have been found in Australian Terriers: skin allergies, allergic dermatitis, flea allergies, cancer, diabetes, patella dislocation, anterior cruciate ligament rupture, cataracts, and ear infections.
Australian Terrier Care Requirements
- Wool this canine has one of the lowest maintenance indications. Such pets do not need professional groomers and their "coats" are not trimmed. During the molting period, dead hairs do not crumble, but mainly remain on the animal. Therefore, this breed needs to be brushed daily or every other day, while the owners carefully handle the undercoat. In order not to damage the new regrown "fur coat" and to successfully remove the old wool, the combing procedure should be carried out using a special tool - furminator. The manipulation is performed every other day, and at the usual time once a week. In order not to remove the natural lubricant, owners should very rarely bathe Australian Terriers. This breed is so naturally clean that excessive bathing can lead to flaky, itchy skin. You should also be careful about the choice of cosmetics for your pet and be able to use it correctly. Breeders should be aware that not a single detergent concentrate is applied to the coat in its pure form, it is diluted with water in the required ratio. In order not to dry out the hair of the four-legged friend, it must be dried naturally. Owners must take special care to keep Australian Terriers safe from flea bites that cause allergies in most members of the variety. For this, during the seasonal period of activation of parasites, the pet is treated with special drops, applying them to the withers. There are also various sprays and special collars. All funds are selected relative to the weight of the animal.
- Teeth require cleaning from puppyhood, since ignoring the procedure will contribute to diseases in the oral cavity, for example, caries and periodontal disease. Also, your dog has a bad smell from the mouth. For gentle brushing of teeth, you should choose a brush with soft or silicone bristles. A special paste will help the owner to attract the dog, which the professional industry produces with different tastes: liver, fish, beef, lamb, rabbit, etc. You just need to make the right choice. The manipulation must be carried out at least once every two or three days. If the dog eats dry food, and periodically chews pressed bones, then this helps to prevent the accumulation of plaque.
- Ears Australian Terriers are erect. They need to be cleaned of sulfur and dirt in the same way as for lop-eared dogs, but they do it much less often, once a week or two. The accumulation of mud deposits causes inflammation and ear infections. By following regular hygiene practices, your pet can avoid such problems. The auricle is filled with a prophylactic drug and, after a light massage, the outer ear area is wiped.
- Eyes these terriers do not need constant rubbing. They must be carefully examined after walks or other active activities in which the pet participates. Unforeseen situations can provoke an injury to the eyeball, which will require the immediate intervention of a veterinary specialist. Therefore, breeders should be on the lookout. A neglected injury threatens the loss of the pet's vision.
- Claws four-legged friends who are kept in the city and do not receive constant physical activity require regular shortening. If this is not done, the gait will change, and the fingers of the animal will be deformed. Manipulation can be done with claws. In active dogs, provided with the necessary exercises, the claws are sharpened in a natural way.
- Feeding Australian Terriers are available both natural and ready-made. Dry concentrates, which have been invented and produced by professionals, are very convenient for the breeder and beneficial for the dog. There is no need to prepare food and think about its composition. In the feed, everything is already selected exactly to the extent that the dog's body needs. Many owners believe that such food is very harmful for their pets, but this is a big misconception. You should only buy a product from well-known premium and super-premium manufacturers. Access to water with such a diet must be unlimited. Natural food is also healthy, but it will take years of experience or constant consultation with your veterinarian to get it right. You should also provide an active terrier for health with additional intake of vitamins and minerals.
- Walking. Australian Terriers are very active and energetic dogs. If you are looking for a dog that will lie next to you and watch TV for hours, look at another one. This breed needs a lot of regular daily exercise. Pets need long, rigorous walks and free runs in a safe place. Due to its size, the Australian Terrier is an excellent companion for jogging and travel sports. Most individuals like to accompany owners on nature hikes or to a regular store.
Small parameters and high energy levels make the species adaptable to urban life. However, this doggie would prefer a house with a large yard. It is imperative that owners provide for the needs of their dogs, otherwise they will have some behavioral problems. These smart and athletic dogs love to perform the assigned gambling tasks and are more than ready to take a course in agility.
Potential owners should be aware of one aspect of the temperament of Australian Terriers - the constant and loud bark of a high pitched, high pitched bark. Learning and socializing will significantly reduce this "flaw", but will not eliminate it altogether.
Australian Terriers are prone to a behavioral problem known as "small dog" syndrome, although they are less susceptible than many other breeds. This behavior occurs when owners cannot discipline their small pets in the same way as large dogs. These terriers tend to be aggressive, dominant, excessively barking, and generally out of control. Fortunately, this is prevented if the owner knows that size does not play a role in the rearing of the pet.
Raising an Australian Terrier
The Australian terrier is quite smart and can learn a lot. Experts regularly place this breed in the top 20% in terms of intelligence, and its representatives are successful competitors in obedience and agility competitions. However, these pets are quite tough and will create a number of learning difficulties for you.
If you are accustomed to working with a labrador retriever or collie, training a terrier from Australia is likely to make you very upset. Dogs are often deliberately stubborn and prefer not to obey or ignore commands. When you're not an authority on your four-legged friend, forget about trying to educate him. The dog will obey only those whom it respects and even a well-trained Australian Terrier will not listen to a familiar person.
Representatives of the breed are much more accommodating than regular terriers, and if you have a lot of experience with such dogs, you may be pleasantly surprised when training them. One area where owners will have to spend extra time is socialization and manners. While Australian Terriers are generally ready and able to thrive, it takes a lot of time and effort.
Australian Terrier puppy price
The price for a puppy is $ 300–800. You can learn more about the dog from this video:
