Dog Breed

Australian Terrier

Primary image of Australian Terrier dog breed
Full Name
Australian Terrier
Your PupScore
Take the best dog breed quiz to get your Pup Scores!
Life Span
15 years years
Weight
14 - 16 pounds
Description

Spirited, Alert, Loyal, Companionable, Even Tempered, Courageous

Origin
Australia
Bred For
Cattle herdering, hunting snakes and rodents
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Australian Terrier good with children?

    The Australian Terrier is about average in how friendly they are with children. They can be friendly and loving with children, but we recommend that they get early socialization, and are not left alone with children for extended periods.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Australian Terrier friendly with strangers?

    The Australian Terrier is not automatically friendly with strangers and we would not recommend for a living situation with frequent guests.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Australian Terrier friendly with other dogs?

    The Australian Terrier is not naturally friendly with other dogs, but with a good amount of early socialization as a puppy they can learn to get along with most breeds of dog. Proper training is required before letting the Australian Terrier go off-leash or to dog parks.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Australian Terrier like to cuddle?

    The Australian Terrier appreciates affection and that includes kisses and snuggles!
    Playfulness

    Does the Australian Terrier like to play?

    The Australian Terrier will almost always be ready for play! The Australian Terrier is great for a family with children, or otherwise, an environment that is always ready for play.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Australian Terrier make a good service dog?

    The Australian Terrier would not be a great fit as a service dog for several reasons.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Australian Terrier good for first-time owners?

    The Australian Terrier is a good breed for first-time owners. A good fit for first-time owners are friendly breeds that are motivated to please their owner. This means they can be trained, and are rarely aggressive and overpowering.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Australian Terrier be trained?

    The Australian Terrier can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Australian Terrier can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Australian Terrier shed a lot?

    No! The Australian Terrier does not shed very much, and can be an excellent fit for someone who suffers from dog allergies.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Australian Terrier easy to groom?

    The Australian Terrier requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Australian Terrier to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Australian Terrier on your own as well.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Australian Terrier need a lot of exercise?

    The Australian Terrier has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Australian Terrier?

    The Australian Terrier has average intelligence. They are smart and witty, but do not need to be constantly challenged mentally, as some other breeds.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Australian Terrier bark? Does the Australian Terrier bark too much?

    The Australian Terrier barks all the time. They are big talkers, and want to show it! In general, barking and being expressive can be beneficial, such as for guarding property or livestock. But it is important to consider whether heavy barking suites your lifestyle.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Australian Terrier a good guard dog?

    The Australian Terrier can serve as an excellent guard dog. It is both physically intimidating and also enjoys having a "job" to protect its family and property.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Australian Terrier good at staying alone? Is the Australian Terrier independent?

    The Australian Terrier is not very independent and does not do great when left behind for longer than a couple of hours. This is one of the most important things to consider when getting a new dog.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Australian Terrier a good apartment dog?

    The Australian Terrier is an excellent dog breed for an apartment. Some daily exercise is still important, but if they get that then the apartment will be more than enough for them to call home.
    Size

    How big is the Australian Terrier?

    The Australian Terrier is one of the smallest dog breeds- suited well for apartment living and very convenient for travel.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Australian Terrier tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Australian Terrier?

    The Australian Terrier can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Australian Terrier tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Australian Terrier?

    The Australian Terrier does not tolerate cold weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Australian Terrier if you live in a very cold weather climate. Even if your home is warm, it can be inconvenient to go on walks, and you may need to have a sweater for your Australian Terrier.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Australian Terrier try to run away?

    The Australian Terrier does not have a large drive to run away. They can still be distracted and run, so precautions should be taken, but overall they have a less than average urge to run away.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Australian Terrier a healthy dog? The health of a Australian Terrier should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Australian Terrier is one of the healthiest breeds. Exercise and a high-quality diet are still high priorities, but overall the Australian Terrier has excellent health.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Australian Terrier?

    The Australian Terrier has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Australian Terrier into your home. Can you give your Australian Terrier enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Australian Terrier drool?

    The Australian Terrier does not drool at all.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Australian Terrier have a large prey drive? Does the Australian Terrier like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Australian Terrier has average prey drive. They will probably enjoy chasing after birds and other small animals at the park, and it may be an issue at the home if you have small animals, but with some training and introduction can usually learn to live with them.
    Athleticism

    Is the Australian Terrier atheltic?

    The Australian Terrier is athletic and has average levels of endurance. They need a lot of exercise, and can be an exercise partner as long as it's nothing too extreme.
  • Secondary image of Australian Terrier dog breed

1 of 2

  • Thumbnail image 0 of Australian Terrier dog breed
  • Thumbnail image 1 of Australian Terrier dog breed
  1. Terrier
  2. Toy Terrier
  3. Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier is a purebred dog that belongs to the Toy Terrier sub group, which falls under the larger Terrier dog breed group.
Terrier group: Anyone who has had a terrier knows that they come with a big personality. Across the Terrier dog group there is much variation, but they are all feisty, proud, and extremely loyal to their family. With this strong personality comes stubbornness, so they are not the easiest dog, especially for a first time dog owner. However, with training and a strong owner, they can be some of the most rewarding dogs- their strong personality is fun, active, and will always bring something new. Terriers were originally bred for hunting, exterminating small vermin, and home protection. Terriers are a healthy and athletic breed. Because of this they require a good amount of exercise.
Toy Terrier sub-group: Expect craziness and cuteness all in one. The toy terrier is a toy dog that is very small, perfect for your lap, and will provide endless amounts of love. But at the same time, at their core they are a terrier- with a big personality and plenty of confidence that exceeds their size a hundred times over. They are very alert, so can even serve as a bit of a watchdog- certainly compared to other toy dogs. They were bred to hunt vermin, so they like when they have a job, and they have more energy than the average toy dog. Because of their proud personality, they may not be immediately friendly with strangers or other dogs.

Australian Terriers for adoption

Similar Breeds