Australian Terrier
Complete Breed Guide
"There's a huge personality in this tiny body!"
Quick Facts About Australian Terriers
Terrier
15–20 lbs
10–11"
Yes
Overview
Australian Terriers are small ins stature but mighty in spirit. Their keen sense of adventure makes them a playful breed that’s best for small families or single owners. They need a lot of human contact and exercise, so be prepared to spend quality time with your Aussie every day.
Australian Terriers are petite but proud. They have big imaginations and excitable personalities that far outweigh their small statures. They’re dedicated, compassionate companions who love one-on-one time with their owners, but they need their humans to reciprocate in order to feel truly loved and appreciated. These dogs are highly intelligent, with a particular talent for learning tricks and games. They can easily outsmart their owners, so training them from an early age is important to keep them on track. Whether you adopt a puppy or a mature Aussie, you’ll find these dogs to be bundles of love that are devoted, caring, and always looking out for you.
Temperament and Behavior
As the keenest of the terrier breeds, Australian Terriers are smart, cheerful, and alert. Their bodies may be small, but their high energy and excitement are larger than life. Aussies love to pretend they’re big dogs looking for adventure and mischief. Their extremely keen sense of hearing and loud bark also make them great watchdogs. Though they’re tentative around strangers, they warm up quickly once they get acquainted and bond with people who show them affection.
Coat & Grooming
Aussies have wiry and weatherproof hair that looks straight out of Devo music video from the '80s. Their thick outercoats rest on top of a soft undercoat, with a thick ruff on the back of their necks. Their fur tends to be mostly tan and bluish-brown but can also be sandy or even solid red. They don’t shed much, but they do require weekly brushing and quarterly plucking.
Lifestyle & Living Conditions
Australian Terriers are small and get along well with kids and dogs their own size. Families have great relationships with Aussies as long as the kids are respectful. These dogs are generally peaceful unless they’re alerted to danger, and because of their high prey drive, they need training and socialization to live with other pets. Aussies are adventurous, so they love traveling and playing. When they’re home, they enjoy living indoors, where they can be comfy and surrounded by family.
Exercise & Activity
Aussies are eager to exercise and need a few good workouts each day. They enjoy walking and specialize in agility and earthdog training. Australian Terriers are quick to adapt to any living environment, but they prefer to stay indoors most of the time, occasionally stepping outside to an outdoor space where they can run and play.
Characteristics at-a-glance
Ratings are on a scale of 1–10, based on breed standards and typical temperament.
Australian Terrier FAQs
Common questions about the Australian Terrier breed, answered by our editorial team.
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