Australian Terriers: breed description and content

The Australian Terrier is a smart, hardworking dog, designed to serve people. It guesses the resemblance to the ancestors - terriers, although not pronounced. He is significantly lower than his ancestors.

The Australian Terrier standard was bred in the XIX century as an assistant person. The dog is small in size and looks like a decorative dog, but was used as a working one. Thanks to the keen sense of smell, her hunting qualities were involved. The dog perfectly caught rats and other rodents, could even get them out of the hole. He helped the shepherds to graze sheep, warning with a loud bark about danger, informed the owners of the presence of snakes, which are rich in Australia.

Experts still have not come to an unequivocal conclusion, where in fact there was a selection. At the time of the emergence of these animals, Australia was a colony of Britain and there is an assumption that the dwarf terrier came to Australia from England in the early 19th century. According to the second version - the dog is still a product of labor of Australian breeders. They are so convinced of this that they consider the breed to be their national treasure, and puppies are allowed to be taken out of the country only with special permissions.

In fact, in parallel with the working terrier, his closest relative, the snake terrier, was bred. In contrast to the first option, which had a hard sticking coat of a working dog, the snare was intended for apartment maintenance as a decorative dog with a soft silky coat.

To date, both lines are considered Australian terriers. The breed was officially registered in 1933 in the English canine organization.

Representatives of both lines have both differences and similarities with each other. We first consider the description of the Australian hunting terrier:

• height to withers is 25-26 cm;
• weighs a dog in the range of 6.5 kg;
• medium sized head with flat forehead and rounded nape;
• moderate, without sharp lines, transition from the forehead to the muzzle, which becomes narrower to the nose;
• strong jaws endowed with a scissor bite, with an even row of teeth and thin black lips;
• the eyes are small, rounded, planted narrowly, have a dark brown color;
• nose is black with wide conspicuous nostrils;
• ears are thin, mobile, set high, standing triangular shape with a slight rounding;
• the body is long, narrowed loin, broad chest and straight back, able to keep shape while running;
• the neck is not long, with a smooth bend, without suspension;
• the limbs are short, delicate, but strong, with rounded small tassels and hard dark claws;
• the tail is raised vertically, it is allowed to stop in the middle of the length, if the tail remains of a natural shape, it acquires a slight curvature;
• the hair is stiff, sticking out, about six centimeters long, the mane on the neck around the head does not need a haircut;
• the color can be red, sand, steel, blue and tan, red, puppies are born black.

The Australian Terrier looks inconspicuous, according to external data inferior snares. But in this small dog there are so many positive qualities that would be enough for several large dogs.He is seasoned, courageous, hardy, a real helper and hard worker in heavy farming affairs. The Australian Wire-haired Terrier does not pretend to a soft sofa in a warm apartment, like snares, he gets on very well in the house and in the aviary.

Dog obedient, contact, very loyal to his master. Despite the working purpose, the pet is affectionate, tactful, cheerful. The only thing you can put in reproach, dislike for their own kind.

The second line of the Australian Terrier (snare) is smaller, elegant, refers to the decorative breeds. You can keep it in a private house or in an apartment. Representatives of this breed are as follows:

• the dog has a height to withers from 18 to 23 cm;
• weighs 4 or 5 kg;
• the head is of medium size, commensurate with the body;
• strong jaw with a full set of strong teeth;
• eyes of moderate size, may have a round or oval shape;
• small nose with wide black nostrils;
• well defined transition from head to protruding, high-set ears;
• the body is small, elongated, muscular and strong, the thorax is shallow, of a moderate plane, the back is even;
• neck with a slight bend, not long;
• the coat is thick, soft, silky, forms a smooth beautiful coat;
• color silver or blue with tan.

Puppies are born dark and by the age of one and a half or two years they completely brighten. As the hair grows, it becomes longer, but movement stiffness is not allowed. Therefore, areas with too long fur trim themselves.

Silky is an inexhaustible source of cheerfulness and optimism. He is very active, if you deprive him of walking in the fresh air, the accumulated energy will literally carry the whole house. The silky terrier loves children and enjoys with them with pleasure. Despite the pampered appearance, the dog has a bold and confident character, able to keep the situation under control. Pet strongly attached to the owner, does not like to be alone, is involved in all the affairs of the family, very curious.

The Australian Silky Terrier (snare) is a smaller version of the Australian Terrier Standard. The differences in appearance and character between them are noticeable to the naked eye.

• Working on two lines of dogs, independently of each other, the breeders set different goals - the snares did not require hunting and guarding abilities, they had to please the owners with their beautiful decorative look.
• In addition to various goals, differences in appearance are also noticeable, snares are smaller and more intelligent than their relative, they look like Yorkies, and hunting terriers are similar to cores.
• The main difference between these species refers to their wool cover. A working dog does not need a long silky coat, like a snare, with such fur, it will not fit into one hole. The Australian Terrier standard has a hard cover of medium length in red and black. Silk hair on the body is long with a silver color, divided into a parting, on the face the fur has a reddish tint.

The similarity in these two species is also noticeable, pets of short stature with a long body. Both may have a blue color with a fawn, which is typical of all Australian terriers, but the hunting variant may also have a red color.

Keeping dogs means not only caring for them, but also walking, feeding, vaccination, treatment, giving birth and keeping puppies. Consider all the items in order.

As we have already found out, the Australian Terrier has two lines that have wool of different lengths and structure. Special care requires a decorative look - snares, so the emphasis on it and will do.The coat of a hunting terrier is also looked after, only less frequently. In addition, he does not need a haircut.

• They bathe dogs as they get dirty, about once every two or three weeks. Use special zoo shampoos or balms. After the walk, the paws are washed by the pet, and in the summer they wipe the wool with a damp cloth.
• Eyes and ears should be wiped daily with a wet swab, removing excess secretions. If inflammatory processes are detected, the eyes are washed with chamomile extract or with special pharmaceutical preparations.
• Teeth brush with a brush and paste for dogs once or twice a week. If up to a year the puppy's milk teeth have not changed to the molar teeth, you should consult a veterinarian. For the normal state of the teeth, dogs need to be given solid food, special toys and mosly.
• Claws are sheared as needed. Dogs that often walk outside wear their claws on hard surfaces in a natural way.
• Caring for a snail's coat is required more thoroughly than for a working terrier, whose fur is medium long and hard, although he also needs combing. Active shedding is not too noticeable, there will be no wool throughout the apartment. But during this period the dog should be combed daily, especially in hard-to-reach places, using not only a comb, but also a special puhoderka. It is necessary to monitor the formation of mats, the felled wool is sorted manually, then combed with a brush. To make the procedure easier, fur is moistened with water or balm.
• Cutting medium-haired terrier is not necessary. As for the snare, he needs trimming, about four times a year, as the dog's thick coat is capable of becoming tangled. Show pets visit a grooming specialist several times a month. You can take care of a dog that does not participate in exhibitions and, having bought a car, cut it yourself.

It is worth talking about walking separately. Initially, dogs were bred to help man and special working qualities were required of them, during breeding emphasis was placed on endurance and activity. These properties were fixed at both lines of the Australian terriers, therefore dogs need the strengthened loadings and long walking. Representatives of room decorative breed need to walk 1-3 times a day for one to three hours per walk. Energy unused on the street, the dog throws out at home.

Hunting terriers are often kept in private houses, in which there is a yard where dogs can run as much as they want. If a working dog lives in an aviary, he also needs walks. During walking, the owner can train the pet, its upbringing. It is necessary to do this, as the working genes of the dog force him to hunt on the street for everyone who moves - rats, pigeons, cats.

In the spring and autumn, dogs need overalls. They are not put on in order to warm the animal, they are necessary to protect it from dust and dirt, since terriers have a short stature and can sweep the ground with long hair.

From late spring to autumn, after each walk the pet must be inspected for the presence of ticks. If the parasite is detected, an inexperienced dog owner should contact the veterinarian. In any case, it is better to do a blood test.

Australian Terriers do not require frills, but food must be healthy and balanced. Dog can not be fed the remnants of the master's table, they may be spices, smoked, fatty or fried foods that have a bad effect on the digestive process.

Puppies eat from 4 to 6 times a day in fractional portions. As you grow, the number of feedings decreases, and the single dose increases. An adult dog is fed twice a day after walking. A serving should be 20% by weight of pets.

The diet of the animal can be natural food or premium dry foodwhich do not contain starches and other additives harmful to the dog. Unlike natural food, they do not need to add vitamins and minerals, as the product is fully balanced and suitable for a healthy diet.

Dry food has its advantages:

• it is balanced and meets the needs of animals;
• no need to cook the dog food;
• easy to store;
• do not cause allergies;
• help keep weight in the normal range.

Recommended products for natural food:

• low-fat minced raw meat or poultry fillets;
• boiled offal (liver, stomach, heart, lungs);
• dairy products several times a week (cottage cheese, natural yoghurt, yogurt, kefir, low-fat cheese);
• boiled flesh of sea fish - twice a week;
• boiled porridge from rice, millet, oatmeal, buckwheat in water or broth, they should be no more than 10% of the total diet;
• In order to improve the work of the digestive organs, it is necessary to add fruits and vegetables to the dishes, as well as greens - lettuce, parsley.

To maintain normal pet health several times a year, a preventive veterinarian should be shown and routine vaccinations should be carried out.

Comprehensive vaccination, which includes vaccines against hepatitis, plague, enteritis, leptospirosis should be done in 1.5; 2.5; 7 months, then - in one year, and in subsequent years - once in 12 months. The first rabies vaccine is produced at 7 months, and then annually.

As for diseases, due to the short paws of a dog, joint dysplasia may suffer, in which limbs bend and swell. Dogs can also suffer from epilepsy, diabetes, they have dislocations of the knee joints.

Australian Terriers are smart enough, but can show their character. Starting to engage in their education should be 2-3 months, they even at an early age well understand what they want from them.

To keep a snare in the apartment, you should teach him to go to the cat's tray or absorbent diaper.

During the dog's training you cannot physically punish, it is enough to lower the voice, an intelligent pet will understand everything. To consolidate the effect, it is better to encourage terrier treats.

Australian terriers are excellent and intelligent companions with an adequate psyche and cheerful disposition. They can be kept in families with children, hunters and active people. The good attitude of the dogs respond with great love and devotion.

About the features of the breed, see the next video.