Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier is a small dog breed originally bred to hunt vermin. This breed owes its origin to Australia but was descended from the British nation. They are small in size but big in courage and energy. They also rank fairly in some lists of the top intelligent dog breeds out there.
Breed Profile
Height
10 - 12
Inches
Weight
15 - 20
Pounds
Life Span
12 – 15
Years
Health
health
Diabetes
What is it?:
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects the way the body processes sugar (glucose). It leads to excessive built up of sugar in the dog’s bloodstream and yet unable the access it.
Clinical signs
Increased thirst and urination
Increased appetite but weight loss
Fatigue and weakness
Dehydration
Cloudy or blurred vision
Slow wound healing
Recurring skin or urinary tract infections
Loss of hair or dry, itchy skin
Treatment
The treatment for diabetes in dogs typically includes:
Oral medication or insulin injections are often used to help regulate blood sugar levels.
Regular check-ups and blood glucose monitoring are also recommended to help ensure that the diabetes is well controlled, and to help prevent any further complications.
Eligible vet bill
$1,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
What is it?:
Legg Perthes is a condition that is common in small-sized dogs. It is a condition where the hip joint degenerates and may lead to arthritis. This leads to limping in dogs.
Clinical signs
Some symptoms of Legg Perthes include:
Lameness in the limbs
Licking of the skin over the hip region
Anxiety, aggression, and/or lethargy
Popping sounds in the joints
Pain while moving the hip bone
Treatment
In some cases, pain medications may be prescribed for the discomfort and swelling.
In severe cases, surgery called femoral head and neck osteotomy may be performed to fix this condition. The head of the femur is surgically removed during this procedure, allowing scar tissue to heal the injury.
Conservative therapy can help manage the symptoms of this condition.
Eligible vet bill
$3,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Sturdy
This breed may be small in size but is not small in strength at all. It is a compact and sturdy breed.
Courageous
These Terriers usually won’t start a fight on their own, but will not back off if they get involved in one. Irrespective of the size of the other dog, they will make sure they stand strong.
Vocal
If you were to put them on a scale of 1-10 where 10 is the most vocal a dog can be, Australian Terriers would probably be somewhere around 9.5.
Lifetime Care
Coat
These dogs have a casual and shaggy but harsh and water-repellent double coat.
Colors
The dirt-repellent coat comes in shades of blue, tan, sandy-liver, and red.
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
Their water and dirt-repellent coat make the job of the owner simpler in terms of grooming. Brushing them once a week would be enough to help keep them groomed. Just make sure you tweeze the long hair on their eyes and in between them. Bathing should only be done as needed as too much bathing can make their skin dry and flaky. Nail clipping and dental hygiene should be on your regular grooming list.
Training
These are fairly intelligent dogs, so training them shouldn’t be very difficult. However, their short attention span and tendency to get bored easily could make the training sessions shorter. The courage in them comes with a bit of stubbornness which can make it difficult for the parent to train them, but with a firm and authoritative approach, one can take care of that.
Learn more about the cost of caring for an Australian Terrier.
Australian Terrier: Introduction to the Breed
The name says Australian but these terriers are actually descendants of the rough-coated terriers from the UK. These types of dogs are usually bred to kill mice and rats and so are the Australian Terriers. One can say that the Cairn Terrier, Shorthaired Skye Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, and Irish Terrier are all cousins of the Australian Terrier.
The breed’s ability, however, has not been limited to hunting rodents. It performs the role of a watchdog and companion as well. They have also been introduced to various dog shows around the world. But the innate nature of hunting doesn’t go away as they would chase and kill small animals, including squirrels, rabbits, mice, and cats.
One more advantage of this breed is that they shed less. So, you won’t have to deal with too much fur lying around the house and furniture, especially if you are allergic to dog fur. They are not known for being great lap dogs, though as their high energy levels need stimulation.
Australian Terrier Physical Characteristics:
Docked tail
Short legs
Square jaws
Deep-set eyes
Long body and neck
Australian Terrier is best suited for pet owners:
Who want a warm-hearted active dog
Who has kids
Who can spend enough time with the dog so that they don’t get bored
Who don’t want to spend too much time grooming the pet
Who are looking for a cheerful, energetic, and confident dog
Things to know before deciding to own an Australian Terrier
Training is very necessary for these pets. In the absence of proper obedience training, they tend to behave bossy and aggressively toward other pets.
They tend to actively chase small animals like cats, rabbits, mice, etc. since they were initially bred to kill rodents.
This small dog with big energy can get quite destructive if left alone for too long.
Australian Terrier may be a small breed, but their diet requirement is not so small.
A fenced house is very important or else either their chase or curiosity could drive them far, and it could become very difficult for you to them find them. (Pro tip – always microchip your pets!)
These dogs may be prone to diabetes in addition to some other conditions. It is important to keep their weight in check.
They have strong opinions about things and will not shy away from expressing them, as you will hear them bark in many different situations.
Are Australian Terriers cuddly?
The Australian Terriers may be small, sturdy working dogs but are also great house pets and love a good cuddle.
What should an Australian Terrier eat?
Australian Terriers, like all dogs, should be fed a balanced and nutritious diet appropriate for their age, size, and level of activity. It is recommended to feed them high-quality, dry dog food that is formulated for small dog breeds. They may also benefit from a diet that includes some wet food or raw meat for added nutrition.
Conclusion
Looking at these dogs one might wonder ‘How does one fit so many qualities in a package so small?’ They are spirited, smart, energetic, affectionate, loving, lively, protective, and on top of that, low maintenance. They’re literally all you can ask for in a dog. So, if you’re looking for these qualities in a small package then the Australian Terrier is a great pick for you!
Happy Health and Mood to your Doggo and Lots of Love and Licks to you!