Australian Terrier
SpiritedCourageousAffectionate
Australia · 11–15 years
About the Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier is a spirited, sturdy small terrier developed in Australia in the early 1800s from British terrier breeds brought by settlers. They were bred to control snakes and rodents on farms and in mines — one of the few terrier breeds developed outside of the British Isles. Australian Terriers are confident, plucky, and surprisingly tough for their size, with a rough, shaggy coat and an alert, keen expression. They are one of the smallest working terriers but compensate with courage and determination that far exceed their diminutive stature.
Breed stats
- Height
- 10–11 in
- Weight
- 15–20 lbs
- Lifespan
- 11–15 years
- Group
- Terrier
- Coat
- Rough, harsh, straight outer coat with soft undercoat
- Origin
- Australia
Coat colors
- Blue and Tan
- Sandy
- Red
Temperament & ratings
Compatibility
Exercise & feeding
Daily exercise
30–45 min
per day recommended
Daily food
0.5–1 cups
high-quality dry food
Common health issues
- Patellar luxation
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
- Diabetes
- Allergies
- Thyroid problems
Not every Australian Terrier will develop these conditions, but awareness helps with early detection. Regular veterinary checkups and choosing a responsible breeder who health-tests their dogs are the best preventive measures.
Can Australian Terriers eat...
- Can dogs eat blueberries?Safe
- Can dogs eat grapes?Toxic
- Can dogs eat bananas?Safe
- Can dogs eat chocolate?Toxic
- Can dogs eat watermelon?Safe
- Can dogs eat cheese?Caution
- Can dogs eat almonds?Caution
- Can dogs eat apples?Safe
Frequently Asked Questions
- Australian Terriers are good apartment dogs thanks to their small size, moderate exercise needs, and adaptable temperament. They need 30 to 45 minutes of daily exercise — manageable with walks and indoor play. They are sturdy enough for active play without being fragile. Their main apartment challenge is alertness — they will bark to announce visitors and unusual sounds. Training a 'quiet' command early helps manage this. They are one of the better terrier breeds for apartment living because they are slightly less intense than many terriers while retaining the spirit and character that makes terriers appealing.
- Australian Terriers and Silky Terriers share Australian origins and look similar but are distinct breeds. Australian Terriers have a rough, shaggy coat while Silky Terriers have a long, fine, silky coat. Aussies are sturdier and more robust (15-20 lbs vs 10-11 lbs). Australian Terriers retain stronger working terrier characteristics — they are more independent and prey-driven. Silky Terriers are more of a companion breed. Both come in blue and tan, but Australian Terriers also come in sandy and red. Australian Terriers need less grooming than Silkies despite having a rougher coat.
- Australian Terriers are moderately sociable with other dogs by terrier standards. They can get along with other dogs, especially when socialized early, but they retain typical terrier assertiveness and may not tolerate pushy or dominant dogs. Same-sex aggression can occur. They generally do better with calm, non-confrontational companions of the opposite sex. Their small size means interactions with much larger dogs should be supervised. Despite their size, they will not back down from a challenge, which can lead to dangerous situations with larger, aggressive dogs.
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