Australian Terrier

General Information - Australian Terrier

---

History

Developed in Australia, and one of the smallest working terriers, the Australian Terrier was first shown as the Australian Rough-Coated Terrier in 1868 in Melbourne, Australia. Officially recognised in 1933, the breed was probably created by crossing many terrier breeds including the Irish, Cairn, Norwich, Dandie Dinmont, Yorkshire, and the Skye terriers. He was used for rodent and snake control, as a watchdog, and even as a shepherd and as a companion.

Temperament

Feisty and alert the Australian Terrier was originally an aid to the pioneers in the harsh Australian outback. Australian Terriers are endearing and loving and make excellent companions. The Australian Terrier has an affinity for children, the elderly and the handicapped. They are tough and cheeky little dogs, despite their size and will even go after snakes in their native country.

Upkeep

This is an active breed that needs a good outing every day, either a moderate walk, a rollicking game, or an off-lead run in a safe area. It was created to withstand harsh Australian conditions and is physically able to stay outdoors in temperate to warm climates. It is also a good house dog and needs to spend time with its family. Its wire coat needs weekly combing plus twice yearly stripping of dead hairs (regular plucking of dead hairs will keep the coat in optimal condition year round). Some trimming around the feet will add to a tidy look.

Australian Terrier

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Australian Terrier

General Appearance: A sturdy low:set dog, rather long in proportion to height with strong Terrier character, alertness, activity and soundness.  Its untrimmed, harsh coat with definite ruff around the neck extending to the breastbone and its long strong head assist in developing its hard bitten, rugged appearance. 

Characteristics: (Not specified.) 

Temperament: Essentially a working terrier, but its loyalty and even disposition make it equally suitable as a companion dog. 

Head and Skull: Long with flat skull of moderate width, full between the eyes, and slight but definite stop. The muzzle, strong and powerful, equal in length to that of the skull, which is covered with a soft topknot.  The muzzle must be strong and not fall away under the eyes.  Nose black, of moderate size, the leather extending to the bridge of muzzle. 

Eyes: The eyes shall be small, oval, with keen expression, and of dark brown colour, set well apart and not prominent. 

Ears: The ears are small, erect, pointed, well carried, set on moderately wide, free from long hair and sensitive in their use (puppies under six months excepted). 

Mouth: Jaw strong and punishing, teeth large and evenly spaced, the upper incisors fitting closely over the lower (scissor bite), lips black, tight and clean.  The length and strength of muzzle are essential to give the strong, punishing jaw. 

Neck: The neck is of good length, slightly arched, strong and flowing into the well angulated shoulders. 

Forequarters: The forechest is well developed, brisket relatively deep with forelegs well boned, straight and parallel when viewed from the front.  Pasterns are strong, without slope.   The legs are slightly feathered to the knee. 

Body: Long in proportion to height, strongly constructed, with well sprung ribs and chest of moderate depth and width.  The topline is level with loins strong and deep flanks.  In considering the body, attention must be paid to the opening description, “a sturdy low set dog, rather long in proportion to height”. 

Hindquarters: Moderate length of quarters, broad with strong muscular thighs.  Stifles are well turned with hocks well bent and let down.  Viewed from behind they should be parallel from hock to feet, neither too wide nor too close. 

Feet: Small, round, compact, well padded, toes closely knit and moderately arched.  Turned neither in nor out, with strong black or dark toenails. 

Tail: Customarily docked, set on high, and well carried, but not over the back. 

Gait/movement: The action to be free, true, springy and forceful.  When viewed from the front, the forelegs should move truly without looseness of shoulder, elbows or pasterns.  The hindquarters to have drive and power, with free movement of stifles and hocks.  Viewed from the rear the legs from the hocks to the ground to be parallel, neither too close nor too wide. 

Coat: The body coat consists of a harsh straight dense top coat approximately 6 centimetres (approximately 2½ ins. ) long with short soft textured undercoat.  The muzzle, lower legs and feet to be free from long hair. 

Colour: Blue, steel blue or dark grey blue, with rich tan (not sandy) on face, ears, under body, lower legs and feet and around the vent (puppies excepted).  The richer the colour and more clearly defined the better.  Smuttiness is objectionable.  Topknot blue, silver or a lighter shade than head colour.  Clear sandy or red.    The topknot of a similar or lighter shade.     Any dark shadings or smuttiness undesirable.   In any colour, white markings on chest or feet must be penalised. 

Size: Height - Dogs approx. 25 cms (approx. 10 ins.) at the withers. Bitches slightly less 
         Weight - Dogs approx. 6.5 kg (approx. 14 lbs). Bitches slightly less. 

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. 

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Copyright Dogs New Zealand
23 Dec 2013

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.