Australian Terrier puppies

About the Australian Terrier

The Australian Terrier was put together in Australia from British terrier stock to work on remote holdings, killing rats and snakes and raising the alarm. This is a low set, sturdy little dog, 25 to 28 centimetres tall and 6.8 to 9.1 kilograms, with a harsh weatherproof double coat, a ruff around the neck and a topknot of softer hair. They have the confidence and self importance of a much larger dog, and they attach themselves quickly to their household.

Daily play sessions indoors or out keep them satisfied, and boredom shows up as noise and mischief. Grooming is easy: a quick weekly brush, baths only when genuinely needed, since shampoo softens the harsh coat, and the long hairs in front of the eyes plucked out so they do not irritate. They rate five out of five with children, with supervision and socialisation. Think twice before trusting them off lead, because the hunting instinct is strong and they will chase a cat out of sight.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Australian Terrier puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get them socialised before the vaccination course finishes. They will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Patellar luxation, graded by a veterinary orthopaedic exam
• Legg Calve Perthes disease, a malformation of the hip joint that shows up early as limping and pain
• Autoimmune thyroiditis, screened by a thyroid evaluation
• Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
• Itchy skin and digestive allergies, which make flea control essential

Your Australian Terrier puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Australian Terrier.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 6.8 to 9.1 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 24 inch (24 x 18 x 20 in, 61 x 46 x 51 cm) for an adult of up to 9.1 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other small breeds

More on the Australian Terrier

Previous: Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog · Next: Azawakh

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Australian Terrier breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/australian-terrier/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Lilly M, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.