Australian Terrier

The Australian Terrier is one of the smallest working Terriers, but they have the confidence of a large dog. These 14-16 pound pups are hardworking and fearless. The “Aussie” makes a wonderful watchdog, they have a keen intuition for when something is not right and they will immediately bark to alert you.

As you may have guessed, this breed originated in Australia. They were originally bred to hunt rodents and snakes. This hunting instinct is deeply rooted in their DNA and they still possess their high prey drive today. It is very difficult to train their desire to hunt out of them, and in general, it is recommended to not keep pet cats in the house if you have an Aussie at home. Another instinct that you should be prepared for is their endless need to dig. If having a front lawn without holes everywhere is important to you, this may not be the breed for you.

The Australian Terrier makes an amazing family dog and they are known to get along especially well with children and elderly people. They become so attached to their family members that their moods and behavior will largely depend on them. If you are feeling down, you can be sure that your Aussie will pick up on it and immediately become quieter. For the most part, however, these dogs are so upbeat and fun that it is pretty difficult to ever be in a bad mood when you’re around them. They are often known to be very silly and will have everyone in the room smiling at their antics.

The Aussie can be identified by their upright ears and their shaggy coat. A big plus for many dog owners is that this breed does not shed a lot, they are very low maintenance in that regard. These high-energy dogs certainly need daily physical exercise and will also want to be stimulated mentally. They are extremely intelligent and are always ready to learn new tricks. If you let your Aussie get too bored, you can be sure that their mischievous side will begin to creep out and you might just find yourself with a pair of torn sneakers!