Australian Terrier

(Breed Standard)

Partha Sekhar Chatterjee

International All Breeds Dog Show Judge

General Appearance 

A sturdy low-set dog rather long in proportion to height. Its untrimmed harsh coat with definite ruff around neck extending to breastbone, assists its hard bitten and rugged appearance. 

Characteristics 

They have strong terrier character, alertness, activity and soundness. Essentially a working terrier, it is equally suited as a companion dog owing to its loyalty and even disposition.   

Temperament 

They are friendly, extrovert, obedient and anxious to please. They live happily in town or country. They are not aggressive but courageous if attacked. 

Head and Skull 

They have long head with flat skull of moderate width, full between eyes, with slight but definite stop. They have powerful and strong muzzle of equal length to that of skull, which should be covered with a soft, silky top-knot. The nose is black, of moderate size, leather extending to bridge of muzzle.  

Eyes

They are small with keen expression and of dark brown colour, set well apart and not prominent. 

Ears 

 They are small, erect, pointed, well carried, set on moderately wide, free from long hair and sensitive in their use. (puppies under six months excepted).  

Mouth 

The jaws are strong and punishing with scissor bite. i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. 

Neck 

It is long, slightly arched, shapely and strong, blending into long, well laid shoulders. 

Forequarters

The forelegs are well boned and perfectly straight, parallel when viewed from front. Pasterns strong without slopes, slightly feathered to knee. 

Body 

Long in proportion to height, strongly constructed, with well sprung ribs and chest of moderate depth and width. Level topline. Loins strong. Flanks deep.  

Hindquarters 

They have moderate length of quarters, broad with strong muscular thighs, stifles well turned and hocks well bent and let down. Viewed from behind, parallel, neither too wide nor too close. 

Feet 

They are small, well padded, toes closely knit and moderately arched, neither in nor out, with strong black or dark toenails. 

Tail 

The tail is customarily docked, set high, and carried erect, but not over the back. 

Gait/Movement

They have a free, springy and forceful gait. When viewed from front, forelegs move truly without looseness of shoulder, elbows or pasterns. Hindquarters have drive and power, with free movement of stifles and hocks. Seen from the rear, legs from hocks to ground parallel, neither too close nor too wide. 

Coat 

They have a body coat consisting of harsh straight dense top coat, approximately 6.35 cms ( 21/2ins) long with short, soft- textured undercoat Muzzle, lower legs and feet are free from long hair. 

Colour 

(a). They are blue, steel-blue or dark grey-blue, with rich tan (not sandy) on face, ears, under body, lower legs and feet and around the vent (puppies excepted). The richer the colour and more clearly defined the better. Top-knot blue or silver of a lighter shade than head colour.  

(b). Clear sandy or red, smuttiness or dark shading undesirable. Top-knot a lighter shade.    

Size

The weight is approximately 6.34 kgs (14 lbs). The height is approximately 2.54 cms (10 ins) at withers. 

Faults:  The any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. 

Note: The male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. 

His origins in Australia are said to include many of the terrier breeds. A cheerful, lively little dog. He is smart, with a rugged, ‘hard-bitten’ appearance, partly derived from the expression and size of his dark, keen eyes. He has a ready for anything approach to life, enjoys exercise and plenty of play. He makes a good house-dog, and is watchful and vociferous at the approach of strangers.  

A very popular breed in the country from which he derives his name, the breed comes in two distinct colours-blue and tan, and all red. As puppies the blue and tan often carry a blue-black coat, which changes in colour when the puppy is about nine months old. The ‘Aussie’ is a good all-round family dog.

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