The Australian Terrier is a friendly and very lovable dog. Its compact size, excellent health and cheerful disposition make it the ideal companion for the city dweller who loves frequent walks, outings and games.
Description of the breed and character
The history of the breed cannot boast of antiquity. It is believed that the ancestors of modern Australian terriers appeared as a result of crossing Yorkshire and English terriers in the century before last. The appearance of the dogs changed until the official breed standard was approved in 1921. Since then, Australian Terriers have received the right to participate in exhibitions, and numerous kennels have appeared. Representatives of the breed are especially popular in Great Britain, Australia, USA. In Europe, Australian terriers are much less common, in Russia they are considered exotic at all.
The main advantage of the dog is its compactness. An adult dog weighs 6-8 kg with a height of up to 28 cm. The physique is dense, but not obese, the contours of the body fit perfectly into a rectangle. The bones are strong, the legs are short and muscular. The head is moderately large, with a powerful jaw, small oval eyes and erect ears. The tail is set high, part of it is docked at puppyhood.
The coat of the terrier is thick, hard, rather long. It has a striking collar and fun bangs. The most common shade is red and black and black, but completely red, fawn, black and silver dogs are also often found. Pronounced white spots are not allowed.
Australian Terriers are very friendly animals that love children. They are distinguished by good health and excellent appetite. They can show stubbornness and self-will, are prone to vagrancy. At the same time, small dogs are very courageous, capable of protecting the owner and guarding his property. The terrier will make an excellent companion for a person leading an active lifestyle.
The great advantage of the breed is good health and a tendency to longevity. Australian Terriers rarely get sick, with good genetics and proper care, they can live up to 15 years without problems. In old age, there may be problems with joints, eye diseases, endocrine pathologies.
Features of the content
Despite their adorable appearance and diminutiveness, Australian Terriers need a stern hand. It is necessary to raise a puppy from the first days of his appearance in the house. All manifestations of aggression and self-will should be gently but surely suppressed. The puppy must understand the basic commands, know his nickname and approach the owner on demand. You need to walk the terrier on a leash, letting the dog free only in a closed area.
Like other terriers, the Australian is subject to powerful hunting instincts. He will chase cats, rabbits, poultry. Long walks, violent games, trips out of town will help reduce the activity of the pet. It is undesirable to leave the terrier alone for a long time, bored, he can spoil things, bark and howl.
Taking care of your pet is easy. The coarse coat is brushed out, the claws are trimmed regularly, and the eyes and ears are cleaned with cotton swabs. Obligatory annual vaccinations and treatment against parasites.
The terrier has a stable appetite. The best choice is premium ready-made industrial feeds. Dosage recommendations are on the packaging. You can not overfeed your pet and give him treats from your own table - this can cause indigestion.
