Australian Terrier
A pocket-sized pioneer — outback grit in seven cheerful kilos.
Vital stats
| Size | Small · 23–28 cm |
| Weight | 6–8 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 years |
| Energy | Moderate — 45–60 min/day |
| Shedding | Low |
| Coat | Harsh double coat · blue-and-tan, red, sandy |
| Group | Terrier · FCI №8 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Developed by settlers to kill snakes and rats around remote homesteads, the Aussie Terrier is bold, busy and sharper than its scruffy charm suggests. More biddable than many terriers and devoted to its people, it still carries prey drive as original equipment — small pets and unfenced gardens need forethought.
Habits & quirks
Excavation department
Bred to dig out vermin, it will happily practise on your flowerbeds.
Town crier
Every arrival, delivery and suspicious leaf gets announced.
Snake-checker
That lightning pounce on rustling grass is ancestral pest control.
Big-dog swagger
Seven kilos of dog carrying thirty kilos of confidence.
Care
| Exercise | A brisk 45–60 minutes plus play — equally content in town or country |
| Grooming | Tidy or hand-strip the harsh coat a few times a year; shedding is minimal |
| Training | Keen and quick for a terrier — keep sessions short, fun and rewarding |
| Containment | Secure the garden low and deep; determined diggers find gaps under fences |
Common questions
Are Australian Terriers good apartment dogs?
Yes, with daily walks and play — they're small, low-shedding and adaptable. Teach a quiet cue early, as they take watchdog duty seriously.
Do Australian Terriers get on with cats?
Often fine with cats they grow up with, but the vermin-hunting instinct runs deep. Unfamiliar small animals will be chased.
Do Australian Terriers shed?
Very little — the harsh double coat mostly holds its hair. Occasional stripping keeps texture and colour at their best.