Discover Everything About Australian Terrier
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Australian Terrier overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
While the Australian Terrier is quite robust in everyday life, it carries an above-average genetic burden with a clear focus on eye diseases. Risks such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and cataracts require consistent screening to prevent early-onset blindness. Furthermore, anatomical malformations such as a molera (open fontanelle) must be excluded through responsible breeding selection.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Height
23–26 cm
Weight
4–7 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,200 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Rough, medium length, undercoat present
- Origin: Australia
Typical coat colors
- Blue/silver/sand or red tones
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Australian Terrier, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Australian Terrier right for you?
The Australian Terrier is a cheerful, lightning-fast companion—bred as a robust Erdhund (earth dog/terrier) and farm guardian, designed to independently kill snakes and guard the home in the Australian outback.
Perfect for you if:
- You appreciate a dog that thinks for itself and occasionally challenges you, rather than showing blind obedience.
- You are keen on active engagement like scent work or designated digging corners in the garden—this Erdhund is not just a lap dog.
- You are looking for a compact, weather-resistant buddy who can easily keep up on any hiking adventure.
- You are prepared to work lovingly but consistently on leash manners and recall from the very beginning.
Less ideal if:
- You expect him to ignore small animals or the neighbor's cats—he was bred to react to movement in a flash and hunt prey.
- You live in an apartment with thin walls and would be bothered by a dog that, as a farm guardian, reliably announces every visitor.
- You are looking for a submissive dog that always avoids conflict with other dogs—a terrier often prefers to stand his ground.
The real vibes check
An Australian Terrier is not a stuffed animal in a handbag format—he is a gritty outback adventurer on short legs. If you guide his courage and independence with a sense of humor, you will have a fearless buddy for life. However, if you expect a quiet follower, he will quickly show you who is actually training whom.
Breed Profile
The Australian Terrier is a small but robust dog that shows amazing stamina and energy despite its small size. It has a rough, medium-length coat that protects it from extreme weather conditions and a thick undercoat. Its coat color can range from blue and silver to various shades of red. He belongs to FCI group 3, the terriers, and within this group to section 2, the small terriers. Its physical stature is well proportioned, with a compact frame, strong legs and a bushy tail that is usually carried erect. Its head is long with small, dark and lively eyes that show its intelligence and curiosity. Its ears are small, erect and widely spaced, giving it a distinctive appearance.
| Height | 23 - 24 cm (Female), 24 - 26 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 4 - 6 kg (Female), 5 - 7 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 15 years |
| Character | Lively, courageous, affectionate |
| Coat | Rough, medium length, undercoat present |
| Coat Color | Blue/silver/sand or red tones |
| Price | 1200 - 2500 € |
History
The breed comes from Australia and was first bred in the mid-19th century. It is designed to perform a variety of tasks in the harsh and often hostile Australian environment, including rat and snake hunting and home and yard guarding. The original Australian Terriers were a mix of various British terrier breeds, including the Cairn Terrier, Scottish Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier, brought to Australia by settlers from Great Britain. These dogs were selectively bred to create a terrier adapted to both the harsh Australian environment and the needs of the settlers. The Australian Terrier was officially recognized as a breed in 1868, making it one of the first terriers bred outside of Great Britain. He was recognized by the Kennel Club in Great Britain in 1892 and by the American Kennel Club in 1960. Today he is popular in many countries around the world, both as a companion dog and as a working dog.
The Australian Terrier was originally bred for pest control and as a guard dog, but is also a popular companion dog.
Australia
1820
Character & Temperament
The Australian Terrier is a charming and affectionate dog that quickly becomes a beloved member of the family. He is lively and energetic, with a curiosity and eagerness that make him an entertaining and loving companion. Its original purpose as a hunting and guard dog has shaped its personality. He is brave and alert, always ready to defend his territory and his family. However, this natural guarding instinct can make him prone to excessive barking, especially if he doesn't receive enough mental and physical stimulation. The Australian Terrier has a natural affinity for people and loves the company of his family. He is a very people-oriented dog and tends to form a close bond with his owners. He enjoys being part of daily activities and will often volunteer to help, whether it's helping in the garden or cuddling on the sofa. While he is good at being alone, this should not be done for too long or too often as he needs the company of people or other dogs to be happy and well-adjusted. Being alone for too long can lead to separation anxiety and destructive behavior. Despite being a terrier, the Australian Terrier does not have the extremely strong hunting instinct of some other terrier breeds. However, he still has an instinctive urge to dig and hunt, which should be controlled and directed into appropriate channels. His alertness and keen sense of territory make him an excellent watchdog. Overall, the Australian Terrier is a cheerful, lively and loyal companion who fits well into a family and loves an active lifestyle. He brings many of the typical terrier characteristics, including a sense of independence and a strong will, but his affectionate nature and desire to please his family make him a pleasure to live with.
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Mild interest in movement and small animals — easily managed. | Low |
Fun Fact!
Despite their small size, Australian Terriers were originally bred to hunt snakes and rodents and are still known today for their brave and fearless character.
What Awaits You
The Australian Terrier is considered an adaptable companion with a high hunting motivation. He needs a lot of exercise and activity.
Housing & Care
Australian Terriers can live in an apartment as long as they receive adequate exercise and mental stimulation. They are active and require daily walks as well as play and exercise time. This breed generally gets along well with children and can make a wonderful family dog. Their robust and playful nature makes them great playmates for older children. However, they should always be supervised when around very young children to ensure that play does not become too rough. As for other pets, the Australian Terrier can live with cats and other dogs, especially if it has been socialized with them from an early age. However, due to his terrier heritage, he can have a strong prey instinct and should always be supervised around small animals such as rodents or birds.
| Family Friendly Loves family life and thrives in a group. | Family-oriented |
| Child Friendly Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride. | Patient with children |
| Dog Friendly Usually gets on fine with other dogs. | Generally tolerant |
| City Friendly Adapts well to city living and urban environments. | Well-suited to city life |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
Raising an Australian Terrier can be both a joy and a challenge. They are intelligent and eager to learn, but can also show a certain stubbornness. Patience, consistency and positive reinforcement are the keys to training success with this breed. The Australian Terrier's activity and intelligence make him an excellent candidate for various dog sports such as agility, obedience or Rally-O. These activities can be an excellent way to channel his mental and physical energy in positive directions while strengthening his bond with his owner. It is important to note that although the Australian Terrier is an active dog, he also needs his rest periods. As with any breed, if he is not given enough time to rest and relax, he is at risk of becoming over-employed. This can lead to stress and health problems. It is important to find a good balance between activity and rest.
Nutrition & Care
Australian Terriers have a good appetite and are prone to becoming overweight if their diet is not well controlled. It is important to provide them with a balanced diet tailored to their size, age, metabolism and activity level. Grooming the Australian Terrier is fairly straightforward. They have a double coat of fur consisting of a rough top coat and a soft undercoat that protects them from extreme weather conditions. Their grooming requires regular brushing to remove dead hair and keep their skin healthy. They don't tend to shed excessively, but regular brushing will help minimize the amount of loose hair.
| Care Level Regular brushing and occasional professional grooming. | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs Needs 1–2 hours of real exercise daily. | Active |
| Shedding No or minimal hair loss — suitable for allergy sufferers. | No shedding |
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
While the Australian Terrier is quite robust in everyday life, it carries an above-average genetic burden with a clear focus on eye diseases. Risks such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and cataracts require consistent screening to prevent early-onset blindness. Furthermore, anatomical malformations such as a molera (open fontanelle) must be excluded through responsible breeding selection.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
With a healthy weight, joint-friendly exercise during puppyhood, and regular eye check-ups, most dogs stay fit and active for a long time.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the parents' knees, hips, and eyes tested and pay attention to clear bloodlines to reduce the risk of metabolic diseases.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the Australian Terrier
Sabine M., Halterin aus Hessen (Rüde, seit 2021)
Als wir uns vor ein paar Jahren für unseren ersten 'Aussie' entschieden haben, dachten viele Freunde erst an den großen Australian Shepherd. Doch unser kleiner, drahtiger Rüde Jerry hat mindestens genauso viel Energie! Er ist unglaublich loyal und weicht uns im Haus kaum von der Seite. Drinnen ist er ein echter Kuschelpartner, der am liebsten auf dem Sofa liegt und die Nähe sucht.
Allerdings darf man diesen kleinen Kerl draußen nicht unterschätzen. Er hat einen ausgeprägten Radius beim Spazierengehen, den er von sich aus einhält, aber wehe, ihm läuft ein Kleintier oder eine Maus direkt vor die Nase – da schlägt der Jagdtrieb sofort durch und er würde am liebsten zupacken. Auch seine Wachsamkeit ist enorm: Er schlägt sofort an, wenn sich jemand unserem Grundstück nähert. Das laute Bellen mussten wir von Anfang an konsequent in geordnete Bahnen lenken, damit es nicht überhandnimmt.
Dieter K., Züchter und Halter aus Thüringen (zwei Hündinnen, seit 2018)
Ich halte schon seit vielen Jahren Australian Terrier und habe aktuell zwei Hündinnen im Haus. Was diese Hunde so besonders macht, ist ihr fantastisches Sozialverhalten innerhalb der Familie und ihre Anpassungsfähigkeit. Wenn man mehrere hält, merkt man schnell, wie stark sie sich als Rudel zusammenschließen. Drinnen wird gemeinsam gekuschelt und gespielt, was super ist, wenn man mal für ein paar Stunden weg muss – sie beschäftigen sich dann einfach miteinander.
Spannend wird es draußen: Zu zweit fühlen sie sich natürlich extrem stark, auch gegenüber größeren Hunden, ohne dabei grundlos aggressiv oder unverträglich zu sein. Man muss jedoch bei der Erziehung sehr konsequent bleiben. Während meine ältere Hündin perfekt auf den Rückruf hört, orientiert sich die jüngere draußen fast nur an ihr und vergisst manchmal, wo wir Menschen eigentlich sind. Außerdem gehen sie leidenschaftlich gern gemeinsam im Garten auf Mäusejagd – das Buddeln und Jagen liegt ihnen einfach im Blut.
Carolin S., Halterin aus Bayern (Rüde, seit 2022)
Unser Australian Terrier ist ein absoluter Sonnenschein, aber er hat uns in der Welpen- und Junghundezeit einiges an Nerven gekostet. Er lernte zwar im Welpenkurs extrem schnell, aber er hat eben auch diesen typischen Terrier-Dickkopf. Er ist kein Hund, der Befehle einfach blind ausführt wie ein Retriever – er hinterfragt gerne mal, ob sich das Kommando für ihn in diesem Moment überhaupt lohnt. Man braucht viel Humor und eine liebevolle, aber absolut konsequente Hand.
Ein großer Pluspunkt ist sein robustes Gemüt. Er ist überhaupt nicht nachtragend und zeigt sich im Alltag extrem nervenstark. Auch die Fellpflege ist überraschend unkompliziert: Wir bürsten ihn einmal die Woche gründlich durch und zupfen das abgestorbene, harsche Haar regelmäßig von Hand aus (Trimmen). Er haart dadurch kaum und ist für uns der perfekte, aktive Begleiter im Alltag geworden.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
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Frequently asked questions about the Australian Terrier
Is a Australian Terrier the right dog for me?
The Australian Terrier is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Australian Terrier live?
The average life expectancy of a Australian Terrier is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Australian Terrier need?
Australian Terrier grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Australian Terrier good for families with children?
The Australian Terrier can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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