The Australian Terrier is a small breed of dog of the terrier dog type. The breed was
developed in Australia, although the ancestral types of dogs from which the
breed desoends were from Great Britain.
Appearance
The
Australian Terrier is a small dog with short legs, weighing around 6.5
kilograms (14 lb) and standing about 25 centimetres (9.8 in) at the withers,
with a medium length shaggy harsh double coat that is not normally trimmed. Fur
is shorter on the muzzle, lower legs, and feet, and there is a ruff around the
neck. The coat colours are shades of blue or red with a lighter coloured
topknot, and with markings on face, ears, body and legs of a colour described
in the breed standard as "tan, never sandy". The tail was
traditionally docked. As with most pet dog breeds, all proportions and aspects
of the body and head as well as colours and markings are extensively described
in the breed standard.
Health
There
are three completed health surveys for Australian Terriers. Two surveys, one in
1997 and one in 2002, have been conducted by the Australian Terrier Club of
America. The Club is currently collecting data for their next survey. The UK
Kennel Club has a 2004 survey, but it has a much smaller sample size than the
Australian Terrier Club of America surveys. Some of the respondents in the
American surveys were from Australia, but there is no separate Australian
health survey.
Mortality
In
both 1997 and 2002 Australian Terrier Club of America surveys, median longevity
of Australian Terriers was 11 years (total sample size of 230 deceased dogs).
In the Kennel Club (UK) 2004 survey, median longevity was 12.1 years, but the
sample size was only 11 deceased dogs. 11 years is a typical median longevity
for purebred dogs in general, but on the low end of longevities for breeds
similar in size to Australian Terriers.
Major
causes of death in the 2002 survey were cancer (67%), old age (17%),
undetermined (16%), and diabetes (13%).
Morbidity
Among
619 living dogs in the 2002 Australian Terrier Club of America survey, the most
commonly reported health problems were endocrine (primarily diabetes), allergic
dermatitis, and musculoskeletal (primarily luxating patella and ruptured cranial
cruciate ligament). Other conditions reported among more than 4% of the
surveyed dogs were adult onset cataracts and ear infections. The much smaller
2004 UKC survey, with 28 living dogs, suggested similar health concerns.
Temperament
The
breed standard describes the ideal Australian Terrier temperament as spirited,
alert, "with the natural aggressiveness of a ratter and hedge
hunter". Aussies rank 34th in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs,
being of above average "Working and Obedience" intelligence, indicating
good trainability. As with other terriers, they can be dog-aggressive and
somewhat bossy, and care must be taken when living in a multi-pet household. In
general, adult male terriers do not get along well with other adult male dogs.
Since the Australian Terrier was also bred for companionship, they tend to be
very people friendly, and enjoy interacting with people.
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