Australian Terrier: a description of the breed, character, peculiarities of maintenance and care

Australian Terrier-compact, cute dog, characterized by its friendly and cheerful disposition. It will be a great companion for active people who like long walks. But before embarking on such a responsible step, like buying a dog, you need to know more about the features of any breed. This will help you in today's post.

Historical background

The Australian Terrier was bred in the XIX century. Unfortunately, to the present day have not survived complete information about the ancestors of these animals. But it is possible that they were obtained by crossing Yorkshire Terriers and English. According to some breeders would flow the blood of several species.

During its development, these dogs several times changed the appearance. Initially they resembled cores and York, later became similar to Scotch, and after some time acquired its own unique appearance.

In 1898 in Melbourne organized the first club of this breed. In addition, it included the Yorkshire and Australian silky Terriers. Later the organization was created two new ones.

The Official standard is only approved in 1921. And twelve years later it was recognized as British handlers. Today it is an independent breed, very popular among Australian, British and American breeders. The most famous kennels engaged in breeding these animals, are in their historical homeland.

About the breed

The Australian Terrier-a small, well-built, stocky dog is moderately elongated. The height of an adult is 23-28 cm with a weight of 6-8 kg. On the strong, elongated head with a powerful jaw, flat skull and a convex forehead with oval brown eyes and small, erect, slightly pointed ears.

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Under a sufficiently strong body with deep chest, arched ribs and strong topline located straight short legs. Powerful neck moves to oblique blades, straight back and powerful loins. High set tail cropped as a puppy, leaving a little less than half the original length.

All of the dog's body covered with dense, straight, harsh hair. On the case its length is six inches. On the muzzle and legs have shorter hair. As for color, the standard allows pure fawn, red or black-silver color. In the latter case, on the ears, front of the head and bottom of body should be a rich tan. White spots on the legs or in the chest area considered married. Such animals are not allowed to participate in exhibitions or use in breeding.

Character of the Australian Terrier

These little dogs are different energetic and friendly disposition. They are very affectionate and confident. However, they are characterized by aggressiveness, common to all representatives of the hunting breeds. They are fairly independent, stubborn and selfish. In addition, these miniature dogs bad coexist in the same area with other dogs.

Despite the fact that they love attention from the person they have a natural inclination to vagrancy. So on the walk, they do not want to let go of the leash. They always remain alert and love to bark. The small size did not prevent them to show wariness toward strangers and be a good watchdog.

Education and Training

Australian Terriers-dogs that require early socialization and strict training. Because they are quite stubborn, inexperienced owners often grow unbearable and totally uncontrollable animals. Therefore, representatives of this breed is desirable to have as a first dog.

From an early age the dog should clearly understand the team “me”, otherwise it will be difficult to catch. To learn to understand your pet, you can try to engage with him in a mini-agility. Such trainings will be useful both for the dog and for the owner. You should also understand that representatives of this breed is almost impossible to teach him not to chase cats. This behavioral feature is due to strong hunting instincts.

Care and Maintenance

These animals are perfectly adjusted to the rhythm of life of their owners. They can easily adapt to any conditions. The Australian Terrier is equally comfortable in a large private house and a small city apartment. But in that and in other case it is necessary to provide regular exercise. This tiny but very active little dog with a ten-minute walk in the yard. Her need to frequently take out to the Park or to the forest, and she had plenty of opportunity to run and to throw out the accumulated energy. In the absence of regular long walks, the dog may begin to do mischief.

With regard to care, it is a systematicthe combing with a stiff brush, regular wiping of the ears and nail trimming. In addition, do not neglect routine vaccination and treatment against internal and external parasites.

Feeding Recommendations

The Australian Terrier-a fairly undemanding dog. But despite this, it is necessary to provide proper and well balanced diet. To feed a dog can be both industrial and natural food. In the first case, a preference, we recommend products from trusted manufacturers, which is missing from corn, wheat and artificial preservatives.

Those who choose to feed their dog a natural diet, you have to remember that the basis of its diet is meat. A couple of times a week you can substitute low-fat sea fish and offal. Also an important role in the dog menu, play fruit, vegetables, eggs, cheese and yogurt. It is strictly forbidden to treat an animal spicy, fried, sweet or smoked food. You don't give your pet bones, river fish, legumes, potatoes, citrus and chocolate.

Health and life expectancy

Australian Terriers have virtually no genetic diseases. They differ remarkably good health. But, like any creature, their body is sometimes faltering. One of the most common problems encountered by representatives of the breed, is considered a dysplasia of the elbow or hip joints. Therefore, before buying a puppy you need to carefully study his pedigree and see if this disease in some of its ancestors.

In addition, this breed sometimes is diagnosed with patellar luxation, diabetes, epilepsy, diseases of eyes, skin and thyroid. As for life expectancy, in average it is about fifteen years.

Silky Terrier

This breed was developed on the basis of the Australians, of York and cores. It is possible that in its creation was attended Norwich and Skye Terriers. These little dogs are different strong and tight physique. The height of an adult is 22 to 26 cm, and weight not more than 7 kg. overall they are very similar to Australians. They have a smart and discerning eye, docked tail and small erect ears. The main difference is that the entire body of the Australian silky Terrier is covered with long and fine fur sand, red or blue-fawn color. Its length is usually about 16 cm

Silky Terriers – friendly and energetic dogs that cannot tolerate rough handling. They are very devoted to their owner and members of his family. It is also important that these miniature beauties get along well with other Pets and do not show aggression to cats.