Australian Terrier

also known as Aussie

Pros Summary


The Australian Terrier is a small, terrier breed that originated in Australia. They were originally bred as ratters and farm dogs. The breed's name "Australian Terrier" comes from its origins in Australia. The breed was first recognized by the Australian National Kennel Council in 1885. It is also recognized by other kennel clubs and organizations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). They are known for their alert, energetic and independent personalities. They make great family pets, but they require regular exercise and consistent training.

Breed Information


Type

Is Australian Terrier a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Australian Terriers originally used for?

Hunting Vermin, Watchdog, Companion

Lifespan

How Long Do Australian Terriers Live? What is average life expectancy for an Australian Terrier? How long can Australian Terriers live?

12-15 years

The average Australian Terrier lifespan is somewhere between 12-15 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Australian Terrier Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Australian Terrier?

What is the average height of an Australian Terrier? How big is an Purebred Australian Terrier height? Australian Terrier dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 10-11 inches (25.4 - 27.9 cm) 7.0 inches (17.8 cm) 10.5 inches (26.7 cm) 10.5 inches (26.7 cm)
Female 10-11 inches (25.4 - 27.9 cm) 7.0 inches (17.8 cm) 10.5 inches (26.7 cm) 10.5 inches (26.7 cm)
What is the average weight of an Australian Terrier? How much should Australian Terriers weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 15-20 pounds (7 - 9 kg) 7.5 pounds (3 kg) 13.0 pounds (6 kg) 15.0 pounds (7 kg)
Female 14-18 pounds (6 - 8 kg) 7.5 pounds (3 kg) 13.0 pounds (6 kg) 15.0 pounds (7 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Australian Terriers get fat easily?

The Australian Terrier is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are Australian Terriers Hypoallergenic?

Yes

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Australian Terriers are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Temperament

What is an Australian Terrier personality? What are Australian Terrier dogs best known for?

Alert
Courageous
Loyal
Intelligent
Companionable
Outright
Tempered
Spirited

Shedding Level

Are Australian Terriers heavy shedders? How Much Does an Australian Terrier Shed?

Australian Terrier will shed a negligible amount of hair. Some owners say that they do not shed, but that is not true. But the amount of shedding can be rather light than other dog breeds. If you do not want to deal with the hairs flying around in your home, then this breed is a perfect choice for you.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of an Australian Terrier dog?

The Australian Terrier dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, this breed will alert their owner.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Australian Terriers come from?

Australia

Ancestry

What are Australian Terriers descended from?

Terriers, Tasmanian Dog

Date of Birth

When were Australian Terriers first bred? How old is the Australian Terrier breed?

1800s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is an Australian Terrier?

Terrier (AKC:1960 & UKC)

Australian Terrier Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Australian Terrier eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Australian Terrier nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Australian Terrier coat be naturally?

Red
Blue
Cream

Coat Length

How long is an Australian Terriers coat?

The coat of an Australian Terrier falls in the medium length category.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Australian Terrier Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of an Australian Terrier?

Wiry

Litter Size

How many puppies can an Australian Terrier have in a litter? How many puppies can an Australian Terrier have in her first litter?

12-15 puppies per pregnancy

An Australian Terrier can have a litter of 12-15 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Australian Terriers are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Australian Terrier Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Australian Terriers have a lot of health problems?

The Australian Terrier breed is commonly healthy with low vet costs, regular check-ups may not be as necessary but it's important to keep an eye on their health and have them checked by a veterinarian when needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning an Australian Terrier?

Diabetes
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Australian Terriers?

None

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Australian Terrier breed?

Blood Test
X-Rays

Australian Terrier Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Australian Terriers have a lot of energy?

Australian Terriers are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do Australian Terriers need socialization? How social are Australian Terriers?

Australian Terrier have above average social needs compared to other breeds.They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Australian Terriers get?

The Australian Terrier dog needs significant physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They are also well-suited for those who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy activities such as running, hiking, or other outdoor pursuits.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should an Australian Terrier have? Do Australian Terriers sleep a lot?

Australian Terriers are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Does an Australian Terrier drool a lot?

The Australian Terrier is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Australian Terriers tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Territorial

Do Australian Terriers exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Mouthiness

Are Australian Terriers mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of an Australian Terrier running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Australian Terrier dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Australian Terriers enjoy doing? How do I keep my Australian Terrier busy?

Chasing, Walks, Lounging

Activity Level

What is the energy level of an Australian Terrier? How much energy does an Australian Terrier have?

High

Australian Terriers are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should an Australian Terrier walk each week? How many miles should an Australian Terrier walk every week?

12 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Australian Terrier, it's at least 12 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much an Australian Terrier should exercise a day? How much activity does an Australian Terrier need?

90 minutes

In general most Australian Terriers usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for an Australian Terrier?

The Australian Terrier is a breed of dog that requires an average amount of grooming effort.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush an Australian Terrier?

Weekly

Australian Terrier should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Australian Terriers?

Slicker Brush
Comb
Scissors
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does an Australian Terrier eat?

1 cups

For an average 15-20 pound (7 - 9 kg) Australian Terrier feed 1 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does an Australian Terrier Cost Daily?

$1.40 - $1.40 / day

The average cost of an Australian Terrier is somewhere $1.40 - $1.40 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does an Australian Terrier Cost Per Month?

$35 - $42 / month

The average per month expenses of an Australian Terrier is between $35 - $42. This makes an average of $420 - $504 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Australian Terrier Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is an Australian Terrier?

The Australian Terrier breed is considered very intelligent and easy to train.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is an Australian Terrier dog?

Australian Terrier dogs are a less sensitive breed known for their adaptability and resilience. They tend to be less affected by new environments, people and noises. They can make great companions for families or individuals looking for a balanced and less sensitive pet that are not as demanding as highly sensitive breeds.

Affection Dependance

Are Australian Terrier dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Australian Terrier do well in apartments? Are Australian Terriers good indoor dogs?

Australian Terriers are dogs that do well in apartments with sufficient exercise, but they would really appreciate a small yard.

Child Friendly

Are Australian Terriers good with kids? Are Australian Terriers good around children?

Australian Terriers are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Australian Terriers good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Australian Terriers good with cats? How friendly Australian Terriers are toward cats?

Australian Terriers are not cat friendly dogs.

Dog Friendly

Do Australian Terrier dogs get along with other dogs? Are Australian Terriers OK with other dogs?

Australian Terriers are not dog friendly dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Australian Terrier dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Australian Terriers friendly with strangers?

Australian Terriers are average friendly around strangers. They can be wary around strangers and a little standoffish. Early socialisation is key.

Playfulness

Do Australian Terriers like to play? Are Australian Terriers playful?

The Australian Terrier is a playful dog. So, no matter how busy the day may get, the best thing you can do for your Australian Terrier is to make time each day to play. It can be as little as 15-20 minutes, and it will mean the world to them.

Trainability

Are Australian Terrier easily trained?

Australian Terrier dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Affectionate
    Australian Terriers are known to be affectionate and loving towards their owners, making them great companions.
  • Good Watchdog
    Australian Terriers make good watchdogs and are protective of their family.
  • Hypoallergenic
    If you have allergies, a Australian Terrier may be a suitable breed for you as they cause fewer allergic reactions.
  • Minimal to no shedding
    Australian Terrier breeds are known for having little to no shedding.
  • Energetic
    Australian Terriers are energetic and enjoy activities such as running and hiking.
  • Good with Children
    Australian Terriers are generally good with children and can make great family pets.

Cons

  • Not cat-friendly
    Cats and Australian Terriers tend to not be a suitable pairing.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    Keeping a Australian Terrier in an office may not be ideal
  • Needs Training
    Australian Terriers require consistent training and socialization to prevent them from becoming aggressive.