Australian Terrier
A small, sturdy working terrier with a harsh weatherproof coat. Spirited, affectionate and adaptable, making a good companion, though it loves to bark and dig.
Australian Terrier scorecard
Overview
The Australian Terrier is a small, sturdy and spirited working terrier, one of the smallest of the working terrier breeds, developed to control vermin and snakes and to serve as an alert watchdog and companion in the Australian outback. Standing around 23–28 cm at the shoulder and weighing approximately 5–7 kg, it has a low-set, robust body, a harsh, weatherproof double coat and a topknot of softer hair on the head, giving it a characterful, alert appearance. Despite its small size it is tough, agile and full of terrier confidence.
The breed combines genuine working ability with an affectionate, adaptable nature that makes it a popular companion. It is spirited and bold, yet typically good-natured and devoted to its family, settling well into a variety of households from town flats to country homes. The harsh coat is low-shedding and relatively easy to care for, adding to its appeal. With a typical lifespan of around 12–15 years, the Australian Terrier offers a long-lived, characterful and robust companion for those who appreciate terrier spirit.
Good to know — a Australian Terrier is best with a garden and good for first-time owners. Every dog is an individual, so meet a few and chat to a good breeder or rescue before deciding.
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History & origins
The Australian Terrier was developed in Australia during the nineteenth century from various rough-coated British terrier breeds taken to the colony by settlers, including ancestors of the Dandie Dinmont, Skye, Yorkshire and Cairn types. Breeders sought a small, hardy dog that could withstand the harsh climate while controlling rats, mice and snakes around homesteads and mines, and serving as a vigilant watchdog and companion.
The result was a distinctly Australian breed, one of the first native breeds to be recognised and shown in its homeland, and it later contributed to the development of the Australian Silky Terrier. The Australian Terrier earned a reputation as a versatile working terrier, equally at home dispatching vermin, guarding the homestead and keeping its family company. It is recognised by the Kennel Club in the Terrier group and, while not numerous in the UK, has a devoted following.
Temperament & family fit
The Australian Terrier is spirited, confident and affectionate, combining genuine terrier boldness with a friendly, companionable nature that makes it well suited to family life. It is typically good with children and forms strong bonds with its people, being loyal, alert and keen to be involved in everything the household does. Its alertness makes it an excellent little watchdog, quick to announce visitors or anything out of the ordinary, though this does mean it is inclined to bark.
As a true terrier, it retains strong instincts to chase, dig and hunt, and may not always be reliable around small pets such as rodents, while its prey drive can make recall around wildlife a challenge. It also has the independent, self-assured streak common to the group. Even so, it is generally more biddable and adaptable than many terriers, and with good socialisation it gets on well with people and, often, other dogs, making a cheerful and engaging companion.
- Families with children of all ages
- Committed first-time owners
- Homes with a secure garden
Training & intelligence
The Australian Terrier is intelligent and more trainable than many terrier breeds, responding well to positive, reward-based methods delivered with patience and consistency. It enjoys learning and can do well in obedience, agility and other activities, but it retains a degree of terrier independence and will lose interest in repetitive drilling, so short, varied and rewarding sessions get the best results. Early socialisation helps it grow into a confident, well-mannered adult.
The main training challenges reflect the breed's working heritage: managing its tendency to bark, curbing digging, and building a reliable recall in the face of a strong instinct to chase. Teaching impulse control around small animals and wildlife is worthwhile, as is providing acceptable outlets for the dog's urge to dig and forage. Approached with consistency and a sense of fun, the Australian Terrier is a willing and capable pupil.
- Start socialisation & handling early
- Reward-based methods only — no harsh corrections
- Keep sessions short, calm and consistent
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Australian Terrier typically needs around an hour a day (roughly 60–80 minutes), split across walks, play and a little training. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Grooming the Australian Terrier is relatively straightforward. Its harsh, weatherproof double coat is low-shedding and easy to care for, needing a weekly brush to keep it clean and tangle-free. The harsh outer coat is traditionally maintained by hand-stripping rather than clipping to preserve its correct texture and weatherproofing, though many pet owners opt for occasional tidying instead. The coat should not be over-bathed, as this softens its protective texture. Routine care of the nails, ears and teeth completes the regime, making this a fairly low-maintenance breed in terms of coat care.
- Brush occasionally to remove loose hair
- Bathe every few weeks or as needed
- Check ears, nails and teeth weekly
Feeding considerations
Feed a complete, good-quality diet appropriate to the dog's age, size and activity level, divided into suitable daily meals and carefully measured, as small terriers can readily gain weight if overfed. Adjust portions to the individual dog's body condition and activity rather than relying on a fixed amount, and keep treats modest, especially when used in training. As with all small breeds, supporting good dental health through diet and regular tooth brushing is worthwhile. Provide constant access to fresh water and keep the dog lean to protect its joints and overall health.
Australian Terrier health & costs
Before bringing a Australian Terrier home it pays to budget for the whole picture — food, insurance, grooming and routine vet care all add up. The figures below are typical UK estimates for a healthy adult; your real costs vary with where you live, your dog's health and the cover you choose.
Food
£250–400 / year
Complete food sized to weight & life stage
Insurance
£15–32 / month
Lifetime cover — varies by age, breed & area
Grooming
£0–60 / year
Mostly DIY at home
Routine vet care
£200–450 / year
Vaccines, flea/worm, annual check
The Australian Terrier is generally a healthy, hardy and long-lived breed, with many individuals reaching 12–15 years or more, reflecting its robust working origins. Keeping the dog at a sensible weight and maintaining good dental care, as for all small breeds, helps support its long-term wellbeing, and its tough constitution means it suffers from relatively few serious breed-specific problems.
Responsible breeders screen their breeding stock for inherited conditions known in the breed, and prospective owners should ask to see evidence of health testing of the parents, particularly relating to the knees and to conditions such as diabetes and certain endocrine and joint problems reported in the breed. Buying from a reputable breeder, keeping up with routine veterinary care and preventing obesity together give the Australian Terrier the best chance of a long, active and comfortable life.
Common health conditions to be aware of
- Patellar luxation — slipping of the kneecap, common in small breeds, which can cause intermittent lameness.
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease — degeneration of the hip joint head seen in small breeds, causing pain and lameness.
- Diabetes mellitus — a hormonal condition affecting blood-sugar regulation, reported with some frequency in the breed.
- Allergic skin disease — atopic dermatitis and related skin allergies that can cause itching and irritation.
- Hypothyroidism — underactive thyroid gland, which can cause weight gain, lethargy and coat changes.
- Cruciate ligament disease — rupture or weakening of the knee ligament, which can cause hind-limb lameness.
These reflect typical, size- and coat-related risks for dogs like the Australian Terrier; individual breeds carry their own predispositions. Always buy from health-tested parents and speak to your vet — this isn't a diagnosis.
Protect against surprise bills
A single emergency can run into thousands. Lifetime insurance spreads the risk.
Estimate insurance →How pet insurance works →Puppy & senior care
Bringing home a Australian Terrier puppy
Puppies need controlled exercise (a rough guide is five minutes per month of age, twice a day) to protect growing joints, little-and-often meals of a complete puppy food, early socialisation, and a calm routine for toilet training and sleep. Book first vaccinations, microchipping and a vet check early.
New puppy checklist →Caring for a senior Australian Terrier
As they age, watch weight, joints and teeth, switch to a senior diet if your vet advises, keep exercise gentle but regular, and consider orthopaedic bedding and ramps. Twice-yearly vet checks help catch issues early.
Orthopaedic beds & mobility →Pros & cons
The good bits
- Adaptable, affectionate and robust
- Low-shedding, easy-care coat
Things to consider
- Tends to bark, dig and chase
- Typical terrier independence
Compare the Australian Terrier
See how the Australian Terrier measures up against similar breeds before you decide:
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Frequently asked questions
How big is an Australian Terrier?
The Australian Terrier is one of the smallest of the working terrier breeds, standing around 23 to 28 cm at the shoulder and weighing approximately 5 to 7 kg. It has a low-set, robust body, a harsh weatherproof double coat and a topknot of softer hair on the head. Despite its small size it is tough, agile and full of terrier confidence.
Are Australian Terriers good family dogs?
Yes. The Australian Terrier is spirited and confident yet typically good-natured and devoted, combining genuine terrier boldness with a friendly, companionable nature. It is usually good with children, forms strong bonds with its people and is more biddable and adaptable than many terriers. Its alertness also makes it an excellent little watchdog, though it is inclined to bark.
Are Australian Terriers good with other pets?
With good socialisation they often get on well with other dogs. As a true terrier, however, it retains strong instincts to chase, dig and hunt, and may not always be reliable around small pets such as rodents. Its prey drive can also make recall around wildlife a challenge, so introductions to small animals should be careful and supervised.
Are Australian Terriers easy to train?
They are intelligent and more trainable than many terrier breeds, responding well to positive, reward-based methods delivered with patience and consistency. They can do well in obedience and agility, but retain a terrier independence and lose interest in repetitive drilling, so short, varied, rewarding sessions work best. Managing barking, curbing digging and building reliable recall are the main challenges.
How much grooming does an Australian Terrier need?
Relatively little. The harsh, weatherproof double coat is low-shedding and easy to care for, needing a weekly brush to stay clean and tangle-free. The coat is traditionally hand-stripped rather than clipped to preserve its texture and weatherproofing, though many pet owners opt for occasional tidying. Avoid over-bathing, which softens the protective coat. Routine nail, ear and dental care completes the regime.
How much exercise does an Australian Terrier need?
It is an active little dog needing around an hour of exercise a day, made up of walks plus play and chances to explore, sniff and use its busy mind. It enjoys activities that engage its terrier instincts and a secure garden where it can potter and dig in a designated spot. Care is needed around traffic, livestock and wildlife given its prey drive.
How long do Australian Terriers live, and are they healthy?
The Australian Terrier is generally healthy, hardy and long-lived, with many individuals reaching 12 to 15 years or more. Its tough constitution means relatively few serious breed-specific problems. Responsible breeders screen for inherited conditions; ask to see evidence of testing, particularly relating to the knees and to conditions such as diabetes reported in the breed. Keep the dog lean and maintain good dental care.
Are Australian Terriers good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide, Australian Terriers tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does an Australian Terrier need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Australian Terrier needs around an hour of exercise a day (60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Australian Terriers shed a lot?
Low shedding. Coat upkeep is easy-care — a quick brush now and then is usually enough.
Are Australian Terriers easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Good for first-time owners. Australian Terriers are generally a forgiving choice for first-time owners who put in early training and socialisation. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Australian Terriers bark a lot?
Vocal / alert barker. They can be quite vocal, so early training and enough exercise and stimulation help keep barking in check.
Are Australian Terriers good with other dogs?
Generally fine with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Australian Terriers suit flats or smaller homes?
Best with a garden. A Australian Terrier is happiest with access to a secure garden and regular outdoor exercise.
Sources
- The Kennel Club (UK) — Australian Terrier breed information: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breeds/australian-terrier/
- PDSA — Pet care and dog health advice: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice
- Blue Cross — Dog breeds and care advice: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog
- RSPCA — Dog welfare guidance: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs
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Every dog is an individual — temperament and needs vary. Please research thoroughly, meet dogs in person, and consider adopting from a rescue. This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet or a qualified trainer.