Appearance

Australian Terriers are small, sturdy working terriers—longer than tall—covered in straight, harsh coats that usually come in shades of sand, red, and blue & tan. Their heads have long muzzles, dark eyes, small pointed ears and soft tufts of hair on the top. Their tails, usually docked, are carried high without curling over. Overall, Australian Terriers have a lively, hardy and spirited look.

History

The Australian Terrier descended from the rough coated type terriers brought from Great Britain to Australia in the early 19th century. The ancestors of all of these breeds were kept to eradicate mice and rats. The Australian Terrier shares ancestors with the Cairn Terrier, Shorthaired Skye Terrier, and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Yorkshire Terriers and Irish Terriers were also crossed into the dog during the breed's development. Development of the breed began in Tasmania about 1820, and the dogs were at first called the Rough Coated Terrier. The breed was officially recognized with the founding of the first breed club in 1887, and the breed was recognized as the Australian Terrier in 1892. The Australian Terrier was shown at a dog show for the first time in 1903 in Melbourne, and was also shown in Great Britain about the same time. The Kennel Club (UK) recognized the breed in 1933. The American Kennel Club recognized the Australian Terrier in 1960, and the United Kennel Club (US) in 1969. It is now recognized by all of the major kennel clubs in the English speaking world, and also is listed by various minor kennel clubs and other clubs and registries.