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AKC: Australian Terrier breed overview

Terrier group · Australia

Australian Terrier

Also called Aussie Terrier

A sturdy little terrier from the Australian bush with big-dog confidence and a deeply devoted streak.

Australian Terriers are compact, spirited and affectionate, bred to keep snakes and rats away from remote homesteads. They pair the courage of a working terrier with a friendly, people-focused nature that suits many homes.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

5 to 8 kg

11 to 18 lb

Height

23 to 28 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 15 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

12 months

approximate model input

Life with a Australian Terrier

Small in size, but never timid: that sums up the Australian Terrier. It greets its family with full-body enthusiasm, follows you from room to room, and will square up to a rat or a far larger dog without hesitation. Owners often describe them as big dogs in small bodies, and they carry themselves with a proud, busy strut.

Its story begins in the 1800s in Tasmania and Victoria, where it was developed from rough-coated British terriers brought by settlers, with Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, Skye, Yorkshire and early Norwich types all mentioned in its background. Settlers needed a small, hardy dog to kill rats and snakes, raise the alarm when strangers approached and keep them company in isolated places. The result was shown in Melbourne in 1868, recognized in Britain in 1933 and in the United States in 1960.

Aussies are more people-focused than many terriers. They love to be included, usually get on with children who treat them kindly, and adapt well to flats and small homes provided they get out every day. They are keen watchdogs, sometimes too keen, announcing every visitor, courier and passing cat.

What stands out

Training

Aussies are quick learners and more eager to please than many terriers, but they still have independent streaks. Short sessions with food rewards and games work best. They enjoy learning tricks and often do well in rally, obedience and earthdog trials, where their terrier drive becomes an asset.

Read the full training guide

Easy to train

Open with strangers

Good with other dogs

A great match for

flat dwellers who walk daily
families with respectful children
older owners wanting a small, active companion
first-time owners willing to train

Think twice if

barks readily at sounds and passersby
chases small animals
can be scrappy with dogs of the same sex
coat benefits from occasional hand-stripping
the breed has a known tendency toward diabetes

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much an Australian Terrier eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	6 kg	380 kcal	100 g (1 cups)
Female, typical pet	6 kg	430 kcal	115 g (1.3 cups)
Male, typical pet	7 kg	480 kcal	130 g (1.3 cups)
Male, very active	7 kg	600 kcal	165 g (1.8 cups)

Full Australian Terrier feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Australian Terrier

Feeding25 cups, split into two meals. Active dogs need a little more, less active ones a little less.Read more Puppy growth5 lb) at 8 weeks and reach adult height by 8 to 10 months, filling out fully by about a year. Coat color changes are part of growing up: blue and tan pups start off black and tan, and the true blue can take 18 months or more to appear, while sand and red pups often darken or clear over time.Read more ExerciseAround 45 to 60 minutes a day of walks and play keeps most adults content. Aussies enjoy brisk walks, ball games, tug, sniff walks and dog sports such as earthdog, agility and rally.Read more GroomingThe harsh coat is fairly low maintenance and sheds little. Brush and comb once or twice a week, paying attention to the ruff and the soft topknot, which can tangle.Read more HealthAustralian Terriers are generally healthy and long-lived. The breed is known to be predisposed to diabetes mellitus, patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease of the hip, and skin allergies.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1The first breed developed in Australia to be recognized and shown there
2Exhibited in Melbourne as early as 1868
3Recognized in Britain in 1933 and by the AKC in 1960
4Blue and tan puppies are born black and tan; the blue develops over the first year or two
5The soft, pale topknot on the head is a breed hallmark

Australian Terrier questions

Do Australian Terriers shed?

Very little. The harsh outer coat and short undercoat shed lightly, and most loose hair stays in the coat until it is brushed or stripped out. Weekly grooming and occasional hand-stripping keep shedding low. No dog is truly allergy free, but Australian Terriers are often a good choice for people who dislike hair on furniture and clothes.

Are Australian Terriers good with children?

Usually, yes. They are sturdy for their size, playful and affectionate with their family, which makes them good companions for children who treat them gently. Like most terriers, they may snap if grabbed or teased. Teach children to respect the dog's space, supervise young kids, and give the dog a quiet spot to retreat.

What is the difference between an Australian Terrier and a Silky Terrier?

The two share ancestry, but the Australian Terrier is sturdier, heavier and has a harsh working coat. The Australian Silky Terrier is smaller and more toy-like, with a long, fine, silky coat. Aussie Terriers are more of a working farm dog, while Silkies were bred largely as companions.

Can an Australian Terrier live in an apartment?

Yes, if you walk it daily and manage barking. Aussies are compact, adaptable and relatively calm indoors when exercised. The main issue is their alert-dog habit of barking at noises in corridors or outside windows. Teaching a quiet cue and limiting window views helps a lot.

Why does my Australian Terrier's coat color change?

Color change is normal. Blue and tan puppies are born almost black and tan, and the blue develops gradually over 1 to 2 years. Sand and red puppies may be darker at birth and clear or brighten with age. The topknot often lightens too. Stripping rather than clipping helps maintain rich color.

Breeds you might compare

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20 to 30 kg · 11 to 13 years

A muscular comedian with an egg-shaped head, loyal to its people and stubborn about almost everything else.

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Norwich Terrier

5 to 6 kg · 12 to 15 years

One of the smallest working terriers, a big-dog attitude packed into about 5 kg of solid muscle.

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American Staffordshire Terrier

18 to 32 kg · 12 to 15 years

A muscular clown with a soft spot for people, happiest leaning on you or chewing something built to survive it.

Toy group

Shih Tzu

4 to 7 kg · 10 to 16 years

A palace lapdog with a lion's name, a topknot and a coat that grows much like human hair.

Working group

Alaskan Klee Kai

4 to 10 kg · 13 to 16 years

All the husky looks at a fraction of the size, with a far more cautious personality than most people expect.

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Bedlington Terrier

8 to 10 kg · 12 to 16 years

A terrier that looks like a lamb, runs like a whippet and needs a scissor-shaped trim every few weeks.