This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, January 2013 issue.
Imagine yourself at a dog show, watching as the Terrier group enters the ring. A little prickeared dog—one of the smallest of the group and with a lively expression—catches your eye. What’s that? It’s not a Cairn, too big for a Norwich… A glance at the catalog tells you it’s an Australian Terrier, a breed you may never have heard of, and a breed that’s a great little secret! Origins & History Like many breeds, the Aussie’s exact origins are somewhat obscure. It is known that early British settlers to Tasmania, a harsh and often unfriendly country, needed fearless dogs to control rodents and snakes, guard the gold mines, and look after the flocks on the large sheep stations, as well as be companion dogs for them and their families.
A native dog of Australia, the Rough-Coated Terrier, is believed to have been cross-bred with the settlers’ dogs, which included small Terriers that came along from various parts of Great Britain. What most breed historians do seem to agree upon is that Dandie Dinmont, Skye, and Black and Tan Terriers are all part of the Australian Terrier’s makeup. From this combination, we get the distinctive Aussie “topknot,” the harsh weather-proof coat, and the colors of sandy, red, and blue/tan. Teir heritage also gives them their distinctive silhouette—proportionately longer than tall, with upright ears. Teir diminutive size, about 10 to 11 inches at the withers and about 14 to 18 pounds when fully grown, makes them an ideal size for people who want a big dog in a small package. Te Aussie has the distinction of being the first Australian breed to be recognized and shown in its country of origin, as well as being the first breed from that country to be accepted into the registries of other nations.
Initially exhibited as the Broken-Coated Terrier in 1868 in Melbourne, Australia, the name was changed to the Australian Rough-Coated Terrier and then again to the Australian Terrier in the very late 1800s. Several were brought to England at about the same time. Tey also became popular in India with British officials stationed there, and were exhibited in Indian dog shows during the 1910s and 1920s. Officially recognized in England by the British Kennel Club in 1933, they first came to America in the late 1940s, but it took some time for them to be recognized and shown in AKC events. Nine of them were entered in Westminster under the “Miscellaneous” class in 1958, but two years later, in 1960, the entry jumped to 58. Tat was also the year in which they were admitted to the AKC’s registry. Along with this was the distinction of being the first new Terrier breed to be admitted to the AKC in over 20 years. Much of this is the legacy of the late Nell Fox of Plesantpastures Kennels. She was a New Zealand native who grew to love the Aussie and advocated tirelessly for its acceptance into the AKC and to uphold and refine the Breed Standard in the United States. Our affiliate breed club, the Australian Terrier Club of America, became an AKC member club in 1977 and now is some 150 members strong.
Choosing An Australian Terrier If you’re thinking about getting an Australian Terrier, it’s important to keep in mind the heritage and history of the breed. Te Australian Terrier has a strong working background and needs a job to do. Teir instinct is to chase down and kill rodents and snakes. Tey are born to dig, going to ground if needed to catch their prey. If your property has landscaping or formal gardening, an Aussie on the hunt may do some gardening of their own if left unsupervised. And if a mole or chipmunk makes its presence known, look out! Tey take their job as pest controllers very seriously. No chipmunk, squirrel, rabbit, or snake is safe when they’re on patrol! Terriers in general often have a reputation for being “stubborn,” but this isn’t entirely fair. A dog that is bred to go to ground needs a great deal of confidence and independence from its owner to do that work, which can be misconstrued as willfulness. As well, they have historically been companion animals and do best in close proximity to their families. Teir rough coat will protect them from the elements, but this is not a dog suited to live outside or spend too much time alone in a crate or kennel run.
Likewise, they must never be allowed to roam unsupervised, as their prey drive is strong and they could easily be hit by a car, so a fenced yard is best. Tey are alert watchdogs and will let their owners know if anyone or anything is too close for their liking, although in general, they do not bark just to make noise and are much quieter than other small breeds. As with other terriers, they can be somewhat bossy and will want to rule the roost in your home, so some consideration must be given if you have other dogs in your household. On the plus side, Aussies have a real affinity for children and the elderly, and are unswervingly devoted to their homes and families. Tey need regular exercise, but not a lot, and daily walks and playing with a ball or a toy will suffice. Because they are not very well known, they have not been overbred and are less prone to genetic ailments than other, more popular breeds. Typically they live well into their teens with few problems. Coat care is easily achieved with regular brushing and combing to pull out the dead hair and only occasional baths, as too much bathing can dry out the coat and skin.
A high-quality dog food is of course the best. Tey are adaptable and quite comfortable in country or city life and all stops in between, and are in general easy keepers who want nothing more than to be at the heart of your home. Things To Do With Your Australian Terrier Because of their lively and intelligent nature, the Australian Terrier can be found participating enthusiastically in a number of performance events. Agility, obedience, rally obedience, freestyle (“dancing with dogs”), earthdog, flyball, and tracking are just a few of the many canine sports in which the Aussie can and does shine. It is important to start a young one off right by going to puppy kindergarten class and then continuing on with manners and basic obedience. Aussies want to please their people and learn easily, but become bored with repetitions. Vary the skills you train and the activities you do, keep your sessions short and get them to want more, and you’ll always have their attention! Teir innate understanding of people also makes Aussies a great choice as pet therapy dogs.
Tey will happily cuddle up to someone who is ill, plus their small size makes them more approachable to people who have balance or gait problems or who are not regularly around dogs. Te Aussie will happily curl up at the side of someone who is ill or bedridden, whether a stranger or you, and warm you with their loving presence. But now let’s go back for a moment to that show ring. Te dogs circle the ring and finally it’s the Aussie’s turn to be examined. Once off the table and on the down and back, this lively little fellow stops walking and starts strutting! Back in the lineup, he happily “boings” straight up, as high as his handler’s waist, while waiting to go around the ring again. Whether or not he wins, he’s happy and he shows it in every endeavor he participates in. But why do they jump vertically like that? Some breeders think it’s part of their working heritage.
According to one breeder from Australia, the dogs have just one chance to kill a snake and to do that, they need to be as far off the ground as possible to land on top of it and avoid the snake striking back. Tey have carried that trait through generations. Even now, when there are no snakes around, they still sail into the air for no reason other than they can! So welcome to the world of Australian Terriers! You are one of the lucky ones if you are part of it, but if not, give them a try! Tey’re devoted companions who celebrate with you when you’re happy, console you when you’re sad, and make you laugh every day. Tey’re a mix of sage and clown, buttoned down and all business when it’s time to get serious, but the life of the party when work’s done and it’s time to play. Get to know these lively little boys and girls and enrich your life.
