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Australian Terrier grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding

A practical grooming routine for the Australian Terrier: coat care, baths, nails and ears.

The 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. Two or three times a year, hand-strip the coat, plucking out loose dead hair to keep the jacket crisp and weather resistant. Clipping is easier but softens the texture and fades the color.

Bathe only when needed, about every 6 to 8 weeks, as frequent bathing softens the harsh coat. Trim the hair around the feet and between the pads, tidy the fur around the ears, and trim nails every 3 to 4 weeks. Brush teeth several times a week, since small terriers are prone to tartar build-up.

Australian Terrier grooming in numbers

This is an illustrative schedule based on our editorial grooming score, not a breed-specific care protocol. Coat condition, skin problems and professional advice may call for a different routine.

TaskPlanning example
Brushing2 to 3 times a week
BathingEvery 6 to 8 weeks
SheddingLight
Nail trimEvery 3 to 4 weeks
Ear checkWeekly
TeethDaily brushing; introduce gently and ask your vet if the mouth seems painful

Coat

A harsh, straight outer coat about 6 cm (2.5 in) long over a short soft undercoat, with a ruff around the neck and a silky topknot.

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Grooming guides for similar-sized breeds