Australian Terrier

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Australia.

MOST SUITED AS Hunting dog and family pet.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is about 25cm (91/tin) and the weight is in the region of 5.5 - 6.5kg (12 -141/21b).

COAT
The hair is straight, hard, and of medium length. The breed has a blue back and deep shades of tan on legs and muzzle. The locks of hair over the eyes may be blue or silver, but sandy or red is also accepted.

CARE REQUIRED
The Australian Terrier's coat requires plucking about every three months. Groom with brush and comb between these times about once a week and ensure that no hair is growing inside the ear passages. Because the breed standard prefers a hard coat, it is not a good idea to wash this Terrier too often, which will make the hair lank. An Aus­tralian Terrier in good condition loses very little hair.

CHARACTER
The Australian Terrier is vigilant and alert, brave, lively, self-confident, and is very adap­table, intelligent, playful, independent, and a bit stubborn. They are excellent vermin destroyers and like to bark.

TRAINING
The training of the Australian Terrier needs to be strict because this self-confident freebooter will sometimes only follow its own ideas. They learn quite quickly.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Provided children do not tease it, this breed gets along fine with them. Strangers on the other hand will not be readily accepted yet the breed is not excessively suspicious. Teach the dogs when young to live with cats so that they too can live together without major conflict.

EXERCISE
The adaptability of the Australian Terrier is phe­nomenal but it is most happy when able to romp and play.