Australian Terrier E-Book

Muriel P. Lee

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 242

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2005

Beschreibung

This Comprehensive Owner's Guide to the Australian Terrier serves as a complete introduction to Australia's best-kept secret. One of Australia's five indigenous purebred dogs, the Australian Terrier ranks high among the world's working terriers and naturally excels as a fun, devoted family dog. Terrier breed authority, Muriel P. Lee provides an insightful chapter on the breed's history Down Under and its development in the States as well as engaging chapters on the characteristics and the breed standard, encapsulating all of the virtues of this happy terrier breed with the hard-bitten, rugged appearance. She offers sound advice about which owners are best suited to own the Australian Terrier, based on the breed's temperament and requirements. New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with handsome adults and puppies bursting with energy and personality! In all, there are over 135 photographs in this compact, useful, and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training the game and ready Aussie will help readers better mold and train their dogs into the most socialized, well-mannered terrier in the neighborhood. The extensive chapter on healthcare written by Harvard vet Dr. Lowell Ackerman provides detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as toxic plants, bloat, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.

Leseprobe

Physical Characteristics of the Australian Terrier

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Head: Long and strong.

Ears: Small, erect and pointed; set high on the skull yet well apart.

Skull: Long and flat, slightly longer than it is wide.

Eyes: Small, dark brown to black (the darker the better), keen in expression, set well apart.

Nose: Black.

Muzzle: Strong and powerful with slight fill under the eyes.

Lips: Tight and dark brown- or black-rimmed.

Neck: Long, slightly arched and strong.

Height: 10–11 inches at the withers.

Bite: Scissors with teeth of good size.

Shoulders: Long blades, well laid back with only slight space between the shoulder blades at the withers.

Elbows: Close to the chest.

Forelegs: Straight, parallel when viewed from the front.

Pasterns: Strong, with only slight slope.

Nails: Short, black and strong.

Body: Of sturdy structure with ribs well-sprung but not rounded.

Topline: Level and firm.

Loin: Strong and fairly short with slight tuck-up.

Tail: Docked in balance with the overall dog leaving slightly less than one half.

Hindquarten: Strong; legs well angulated at the stifles and hocks, short and perpendicular from the hocks to the ground.

Coat:Outer Coat—Harsh and straight. Undercoat—Short and soft. Furnishings—Softer than body coat. Topknot—Of finer and softer texture than the rest of the coat.

Colors: Blue and tan, solid sandy and solid red.

Feet: Small, clean, catlike; toes arched and compact.

Contents

History of the Australian Terrier

Meet the Australian Terrier, a strong, plucky little dog developed in Australia for use on small vermin. Learn how the Aussie emerged as a distinct breed from its terrier background and follow him from his past as a worker in his homeland to his present-day status as a friendly, active and intelligent house pet whose popularity spans the globe.

Characteristics of the Australian Terrier

Small yet sturdy in build and robust in nature, the Australian Terrier is a versatile and adaptable breed that makes a delightful companion in most living situations. The rough-coated Aussie is terrier through-and-through, a wonderful pet for active owners. Learn about the Aussie’s personality and physical traits, as well as health concerns.

Breed Standard for the Australian Terrier

Learn the requirements of a well-bred Australian Terrier by studying the description of the breed set forth in the American Kennel Club’s breed standard. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the standard.

Your Puppy Australian Terrier

Find out about how to locate a well-bred Australian Terrier puppy. Discover which questions to ask the breeder and what to expect when visiting the litter. Prepare for your puppy-accessory shopping spree. Also discussed are home safety, the first trip to the vet, socialization and solving basic puppy problems.

Proper Care of Your Australian Terrier

Cover the specifics of taking care of your Australian Terrier every day: feeding for the puppy, adult and senior dog; grooming, including coat care, ears, eyes, nails and bathing; and exercise needs for your dog. Also discussed are dog ID and safe travel.

Training Your Australian Terrier

Begin with the basics of training the puppy and adult dog. Learn the principles of house-training the Australian Terrier, including the use of crates and basic scent instincts. Get started by introducing the pup to his collar and leash, and progress to the basic commands. Find out about obedience classes and other activities.

Healthcare of Your Australian Terrier

By Lowell Ackerman DVM, DACVD

Become your dog’s healthcare advocate and a well-educated canine keeper. Select a skilled and able veterinarian. Discuss pet insurance, vaccinations and infectious diseases, the neuter/spay decision and a sensible, effective plan for parasite control, including fleas, ticks and worms.

Your Senior Australian Terrier

Know when to consider your Australian Terrier a senior and what special needs he will have. Learn to recognize the signs of aging in terms of physical and behavioral traits and what you and your vet can do to optimize your dog’s golden years.

Showing Your Australian Terrier

Step into the center ring and find out about the world of showing pure-bred dogs. Here’s how to get started in AKC shows, how they are organized and what’s required for your dog to become a champion. Take a leap into the realms of obedience trials, agility, earthdog events and tracking tests.

KENNEL CLUB BOOKS®AUSTRALIAN TERRIER

ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-290-0

eISBN 13: 978-1-62187-018-0

Copyright © 2005 • Kennel Club Books® • An Imprint of I-5 Press™ • A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC™

3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618 USA

Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 • Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Photography by

Paulette Braun, T.J. Calhoun, Alan & Sandy Carey, Isabelle Françis, Carol Ann Johnson, Bill Jonas, Alice Roche, Karen Taylor, Michael Trafford, Alice van Kempen and Mike & Sue Young.

Illustrations by Patricia Peters.

The publisher wishes to thank all of the owners whose dogs are featured in this book, including Vicki Benz, Richard & Ann Marie Hunter, Esther C. Krom, Alice & Neal Roche, Alexis Samarotta, Karen A. Ucci, Ida Ellen Weinstock and Alice Ann Wight.

Hailing from sunny Australia, this friendly chap is pleased to make your acquaintance.

The Australian Terrier is a small, confident, robust little dog that hails from Australia. He owes his beginnings to the early settlers of the country who were looking for a courageous, tough dog that was game and also an excellent ratter. Although he now is most often a loyal companion for his family, his original terrier instincts have not been lost, and he will be equally at home on a country estate, in a suburban home or in a city apartment.

This book will give you the history, description and breed standard of the Australian Terrier. You will also learn about puppy care, training and the health of the breed. From the photographs, you will meet the breed face-to-face and see that this terrier is a real charmer and a wonderful companion dog.

This may not be the dog for everyone, as terriers are active, busy dogs and the Australian Terrier is no exception. However, if you like a plucky dog, one that fits easily into city or country life, this may be just the dog for you. Frederick David wrote, “No one who has owned an Australian Terrier ever desires to own any other kind of dog.”

ORIGIN AND ESTABLISHMENT

The Australian Terrier, although a relative youngster to the American pure-bred fancy, being recognized by the AKC in 1960, was registered in England in the 1930s and has been known in Australia since the 19th century. At the present time, around 70% of Australian families have dogs, and thousands compete every week in dog shows, obedience competitions and agility trials. This is a country where, indeed, the dog not only is necessary for work but also is a beloved pet and companion, a true part of the family.

Australia has developed several breeds. The dingo, the native dog, was there to greet the British when they arrived in the country in the early 1800s, bringing their British dogs with them. Over time, Australians developed five breeds: the Australian Cattle Dog, the Australian Kelpie, the Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, the Silky Terrier (at one time called the Sydney Terrier and now officially known in its homeland as the Australian Silky Terrier) and the Australian Terrier. The Cattle Dog and Kelpie were developed to handle the sheep and cattle on the vast farming lands, but a small, tough terrier was needed to be used against rats, vermin and snakes in order to make the land more habitable.

SILKY IN SYDNEY

MacArthur Little was an early breeder of the Silky Terrier, which was called the Sydney Terrier when he moved his kennel to Sydney. The Silky Terrier is a mixture of the Australian Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier, and is in the Toy Group with the Yorkie rather than in the Terrier Group with the Aussie. The Silky is a friendly, independent, smart, energetic and affectionate dog, bred to be a household pet.

The Australian Terrier belongs to the group of dogs described as terriers, from the Latin word terra, meaning “earth.” The terrier is a dog that has been bred to work beneath the ground to drive out small and large vermin, rodents and other animals that can be nuisances to country living.

Nearly all of the dogs in the Terrier Group originated in the British Isles, with the exception of the Australian Terrier and the Cesky Terrier. Although these two breeds do not hail from the British Isles, they both were developed from British dogs: the Cesky from an original cross of the Scottish Terrier and the Sealyham Terrier, and the Australian Terrier from a series of crosses of various terrier breeds.

The terrier background is obscure, but what was certain in the 1700s and early 1800s was that there was no definite breed of terrier; rather, there were dogs that were bred to go to ground with courage and conviction. In 1735, the Sportsman’s Dictionary described the terrier as a kind of hound, used only or chiefly for hunting the fox or badger. “He creeps into the ground and then nips and bites the fox and badger, either by tearing them in pieces with his teeth, or else hauling them and pulling them by force out of their lurking holes.”

Those who were unable to do the job were destroyed; dogs were not considered worthy “unless they were fit and game for the purpose.” Those who could do the proper work were bred to one another with little regard for type. Those who bred and kept dogs had specific purposes for their particular breeds; for example, long legs for speed, short legs for going to ground and double coats for protection against the elements.

Moreover, all terriers have powerful teeth.

Many of the terrier breeds were derived from a similar ancestor and, as recently as the mid 1800s, the terriers fell roughly into two basic categories: the rough-coated, short-legged dogs that tended to come from Scotland, and the longer-legged, smooth-coated dogs that were bred in England. The terriers, although they may differ in type, all have the same basic character, being game dogs who go after vermin or other larger animals.

In the early 1800s, in the island state of Tasmania, the settlers were breeding broken-coated terriers that weighed from 7 to 10 pounds and were blue in body color, with tan legs and faces. These dogs were prized for hearing so keenly that they could easily detect any strangers approaching the farmstead. It is assumed that the roots of these dogs went back to the dog now known as the Yorkshire Terrier; possibly this breed could be a common ancestor of both the Australian Terrier and the Silky Terrier.

In time, breeders were trying to develop a larger, tougher blue and tan terrier, working particularly to establish a breed of dog that could control vermin, snakes, rabbits and any other small game that were destructive to farm life in the outbacks.

The broken-haired dogs were crossed with Cairn Terriers to give a harsh and weatherproof coat. The old-time Scotch Terrier was used not only for his coat but also for the conformation of his head. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier added the soft top-knot, and the prick-eared Skye Terrier gave the ear carriage and the length of body. A small Irish Terrier could also have been used, and the Manchester Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier were both used to enrich the coat color.

Mr. Eric Dart, a noted Australian Terrier breeder who perfected the red and sandy colors in the breed, wrote to an English breeder in the 1930s about the difficulties of stabilizing the breed on a continent as large as Australia. Added to the great distances between breeders, there were also differing views in the various states as to just what an Aussie should look like. He wrote, “It is difficult to place much reliance in the claims made by fanciers concerning the merits of the breed in by-gone years, as it is impossible to trace any dog or bitch of outstanding merit in any existing pedigrees who might be said to have had a beneficial influence on the breed; nor can we find any kennel or strain predominatory in past records. In all probability, the Australian Terrier at the time the Standard was drawn up, forty odd years ago, was a very badly put together little dog.”

CANIS LUPUS

“Grandma, what big teeth you have!” The gray wolf, a familiar figure in fairy tales and legends, has had its reputation tarnished and its population pummeled over the centuries. Yet it is the descendants of this much-feared creature to which we open our homes and hearts Our beloved dog, Canis domesticus, derives directly from the gray wolf, a highly social canine that lives in elaborately structured packs. In the wild, the gray wolf can range from 60 to 175 pounds, standing between 25 and 40 inches in height.

IN THE MIX

The Australian Terrier was being bred to the Cairn Terrier as late as the 1940s in order to improve coat texture and for the Cairn’s terrier character. In the early years of breed development, on occasion the Australian Terrier, Silky Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier could all come from the same litter.

The Yorkshire Terrier, shown here in its modern-day incarnation, was used to enrich the Australian Terrier’s color.

The Silky Terrier, shown here, is a mixture of Australian Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier breeding. The Silky is much smaller than the Aussie and thus is classified as a toy breed like the Yorkie. It also shares its silky coat with the Yorkie, while the Aussie has a broken, or harsh, coat.

In 1872 in Melbourne, the Australian dogs were shown for the first time in the “Broken- Coated Terrier” class. By 1880 they were classified as “Blue and Tans,” by 1882 they were “Toys” and by 1884 they were shown as “Australian Rough-Coated Terriers.” This was also the first year that sandy-colored dogs were shown with the blue and tan dogs.

AUSSIE OR SILKY?

In 1935, Will Judy noted, “The ruling of the New South Wales (Australia) Club for one breed and one standard has not been adopted universally and so the confusion [between the Sydney Silky and the Aussie] continues with little credit to the breeders in Australia.”

In 1889, the Australian Rough Coated Terrier Club was formed in Melbourne; by 1901 the club had 50 members. Indeed, the breed was often drawing the largest numbers of entries at shows at the turn of the 19th century.

The Aussies were indeed popular. The well-known writer Freeman Lloyd wrote in 1901, “There are large classes of Australian Terriers. They are bigger than Yorkies and should be short and harsh in coat, but they do not seem particularly attractive dogs. These dogs are, however, very plentiful, possess ‘type’ and are game and excellent ratters. If one cares to take a stroll on the esplanade at St. Kilda, the suburban and seaside resort of Melbourne, on a Sunday, he may observe as many as forty to fifty following enjoyment seekers. From this one can easily see they are in great requisition as companions, and I have noticed many carried as lapdogs by ladies in carriages.”

SEEING RED

During the 1880s, the red color was introduced to the breed, possibly from a number of red terriers that were being imported into Australia from England. The Irish Terriers, Border Terriers and Norwich Terriers could have been imported, in addition to the red and sandy Cairns. Any of these could have been responsible for adding the red color to the previously blue and tan broken-haired dog. The red and sandies can still have difficulty being accepted in the show ring.

By 1896 a breed standard was written, giving breeders a picture of what the breed should look like and what they should try to achieve in their breeding programs. By 1897 fanciers of the Australian Terriers and the Silky Terriers formed a club, but this was short-lived, with the Silky Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier people forming their own club. It was not until the 1940s that a club was formed for the Australian Terrier, with W. A. Wheatland as president.

The original breed standard was written in 1896, revised in 1947 and later changed to some degree in 1962. In 1964 Mr. Wheatland wrote the book The Australian Terrier and the Australian Silky Terrier, which lists the three different standards. The original standard allowed either prick or drop ears, but this was amended in the 1920s, allowing erect ears only.

THE AUSSIE GOES GLOBAL

In 1906, Australian Terriers were being exported to England, and a Mr. Milburn exhibited a few at The Kennel Club show. A few more were shown in 1907, but it was not until after World War I that the breed established a small following in Britain. In the early 1920s Lady Stradbroke, whose husband had been the Governor of Victoria, brought a number of dogs to England with her. Sir Claude and Lady Alexander, well-known Skye Terrier breeders, also became interested in the breed. In 1934 the Duke of Gloucester brought a pair of Aussies home with him and the breed became better known in the British Isles. However, with the advent of World War II, the breed fell upon hard times—as many breeds did—but by 1945 the breed was on the upswing again.

Today the Australian Terrier is an active, friendly house pet that still retains its natural ratting instincts.

Australian Terriers were exported to the USA via returning soldiers from World War II. Despite growing interest in the breed, it was not recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1960.

Australian Terriers were brought to America after World War II, being carried over by many American soldiers who found the dog to be a most pleasing sort, in addition to being small and easy to carry. However, the breed was not registrable with the American Kennel Club at that time; there was no national club and no effort was made to see that the breed had a following.

Mrs. E. Williams of Willelva Kennels was a well-known breeder in Australia. Her first dog, purchased from Baroldy Kennels in 1949, was Baroldy Terry-Boy. He became a well-known Aussie champion, winning many Bests of Breed at the largest of shows, in addition to being the first Aussie in New South Wales to win a Group. Mrs. Williams later purchased Baroldy Topsy who, when bred to Terry-Boy, produced some excellent red litters. In 1956, Mrs. Williams sold a blue and tan Aussie to Mrs. Milton Fox of Pleasant Pastures Kennels in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.

PURE-BRED PURPOSE

Given the vast range of the world’s 400 or so pure breeds of dog, it’s fair to say that domestic dogs are the most versatile animal in the kingdom. From the tiny 1-pound lap dog to the 200- pound guard dog, dogs have adapted to every need and whim of their human masters. Humans have selectively bred dogs to alter physical attributes like size, color, leg length, mass and skull diameter in order to suit our own needs and fancies. Dogs serve humans not only as companions and guardians but also as hunters, exterminators, shepherds, rescuers, messengers, warriors, babysitters and more!

Mrs. Fox, a native of New Zealand, had owned Australian Terriers as a youngster. In the 1950s she imported a few Aussies from England and, in 1956, she bought the blue and tan dog Willelva William, a son of Terry-Boy, from Mrs. Williams. Mrs. Fox gave her heart to the breed and became the most ardent supporter of the Australian Terrier for her lifetime. She was a tireless worker for breed acceptance by the American Kennel Club. She entered the Miscellaneous Classes as well as obedience competition with her dogs. She later imported Willelva Wanderer, who became the first Aussie to earn his Companion Dog title in obedience and was the sire of the first American Australian Terrier champion. It was due to Mrs. Fox and her Pleasant Pastures Kennels that the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1960.

The Australian Terrier was entered in the Miscellaneous Class at Westminster in 1958 with an entry of nine. In 1959, due to Mrs. Fox’s super-human efforts, the entry was increased to 44. In 1960, it had reached the phenomenal number of 58 entries. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1960 and was the 114th breed to be accepted by the organization. The Australian Terrier Club of America (ATCA) was founded in 1957, but it did not become a member club of the AKC until 1977. Today the club has over 200 members.

The Australian Terrier is a long, low, sturdy breed that has retained moderate popularity since the early 1900s.

Mrs. Fox owned, bred and imported numerous dogs from Australia and England, making up over 200 champions and many Group winners. Her greatest dog, Ch. Tinee Town Talkbac, “Joey,” sired 46 AKC champions, won 4 all-breed Bests in Show and had 29 Group Ones.

The January 26, 1976 issue of The New Yorker magazine featured an extensive article about Mrs. Fox, her dogs and her journey with the dogs and helpers to the Westminster Kennel Club show. She was certainly a prominent Australian Terrier breeder as well as a character in her own right. In 1994 the Australian Terrier Club of America honored Mrs. Fox with the title of Lifetime Patroness of the ATCA for her lifetime work for the breed. In 1997, she was honored for 50 years as a breeder, exhibitor and prominent club member.

Aussies continue to be fairly popular in America; registrations are consistently well over 400 per year. Across the Atlantic, entries at a recent Crufts show (the largest show in the UK) were 40, placing the Aussie higher in popularity than many other terrier breeds in the UK, but with a much smaller number of entries than the larger terriers.

The breed is still very popular in Australia with many prominent breeders, both in the past and at the present time. Tinee Town Kennels bred Ch. Tinee Town Talktime, who was Best in Show at the Sydney Royal Show in 1973. Aust. and Am. Ch. Tinee Town Talkbac was Best in Show several times in Australia before being sent to Mrs. Fox in the United States. Several other prominent kennels are Sevenoaks, Elmore, Taralee and Taggalong.

TOP DOGS

An excerpt from The New Yorker magazine, January 26, 1976: “Mrs. Fox cuts in firmly to say that she knows right after it’s born when one of her Australian Terriers is going to be a top dog. ‘Or I think I do…of course, they may turn out differently when you start to show them. But once you’ve begun to take them into the ring, it’s easy to tell. The best dogs practically beg you to show them off. Joey can’t wait to get into the ring.’ ‘That’s true,’ Mrs Tompkins says. ‘They’re like Shirley Temple. When Shirley Temple’s mother said, “Sparkle!” she sparkled. That’s the way top dogs are. That’s what divides the star from the chorus’.

Aussies are known and loved throughout the world. Mrs. Fox wrote, “For a true lover of dogs with prime devotion to Terriers, it is impossible not to have deep affection for the whole Terrier Group. However, once acquainted with Aussies, one’s admiration remains steadfast. The unbounding devotion from puppyhood, the original manner of doing things, almost a sense of humor, the fact of their being so easy to care for, added to their protective, responsive natures, make them courageous companions beyond compare.”

HEART-HEALTHY

In this modern age of ever-improving cardio-care, no doctor or scientist can dispute the advantages of owning a dog to lower a person’s risk of heart disease. Studies have proven that petting a dog, walking a dog and grooming a dog all show positive results toward lowering your blood pressure. The simple routine of exercising your dog—going outside with the dog and walking, jogging or playing catch—is heart-healthy in and of itself. If you are normally less active than your physician thinks you should be, adopting a dog may be a smart option to improve your own quality of life as well as that of another creature.

The Australian Terrier is a versatile dog, and a great house dog and companion. If you like to work with your dog, you will find the Aussie to be a happy and willing participant in whatever area you choose, be it obedience work, agility, therapy, flyball and, of course, best of all, going-to-ground activities. This is a smart little dog that likes to please, to keep busy and to be challenged. Give him any job that requires a bit of brain activity on his part and he will be as pleased as punch. Of course, because of his intelligence, it is best to establish very early on who is the head of the household and, thus, basic obedience lessons are essential.

The Aussie has an air of self-assurance and he is inquisitive about everything that happens in his vicinity. He has keen hearing and excellent eyesight, and he makes an outstanding watchdog. He can adapt to any climate with his double waterproof coat that sheds very little. He will accept full responsibility for the household. He will like the entire family, but he is likely to attach himself to one particular family member. He is an active dog and needs his regular daily romps. It is said that he is “long enough on leg not to collect much mud and small enough to fit into any home.” All in all, this is a delightful little dog to become part of your household.

HAVE SOME FUN!

Australian Terrier owners should have fun with their dogs! Not only will Aussies thrive on organized activities, they also love to be a part of the family, going for rides in the car, fetching balls (sometimes for hours on end, to their owners’ dismay) and helping in the kitchen by keeping the floor clean… and then cuddling up for a snooze on the bed when day is done.

Australian Terriers are curious and alert little explorers, thoroughly enjoying time outdoors.

If you are a first-time dog owner, you must be aware of your responsibility toward your new friend. You must keep your dog either on a leash or in your fenced yard. Your Aussie, if loose and trotting along at your side, will spot a squirrel and, instinctively, he will dart across the street, oblivious of the traffic. This is why some rudimentary obedience training is necessary so that your pal will sit when asked to, come when called and, in general, act like a little gentleman. Training is necessary for a dog’s safety, but it is never advisable to let a dog loose in an unfenced area.

Aussies, as with other terriers, can be challenging in the obedience ring. Terriers are not easy breeds to work with in obedience, as with their intelligence and independent spirits they can sometimes be more trying to train than had been anticipated. You will see Golden Retrievers, Poodles and Miniature Schnauzers in abundance in obedience classes, as these are breeds with which it is easy to work. Not only are they intelligent but, more importantly, they have a willingness to please their masters.

Although curious and active, the Australian Terrier enjoys downtime, too, especially when sharing a cuddle with his favorite person.

Terriers are easily distracted and busy, but the Aussie is an intelligent dog and he does respond to training. Of course, when training a smart and independent dog, the handler will often learn humility while the dog is learning his sits and stays. The Aussie is a quick, alert and intelligent dog, and he likes his owner to be his equal.

All in all, the Australian Terrier is amiable and affectionate, making an enjoyable companion and loyal friend for almost everyone. He has a particular fondness for children and senior citizens, and he is especially good with the handicapped, making him a great pet for those with special needs or a well-qualified candidate for therapy work. Add to this his adaptability to climate and living environment, and you have a good-tempered, well-rounded, conveniently sized dog, packed with personality and love to give to the owner who has the time to devote to his dog’s training and care.