Australian terriers: description of the breeds and their contents

The Australian Terrier is a smart, hardworking dog designed to serve people. It guesses the similarity with the ancestors - terriers, although not pronounced. He is much shorter than his ancestors.

The Australian Terrier standard was bred in the 19th century as a human assistant. The dog is small in size similar to a decorative one, but was used as a working one. Thanks to the sharp scent, 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 graze the sheep, warning with a loud bark of danger, informed the owners about the presence of snakes, which Australia is rich in.

Experts still have not reached an unambiguous conclusion where the selection actually took place. At the time of the appearance of these animals, Australia was a colony of Britain and there is an assumption that the dwarf terrier came to Australia from England at the beginning of the 19th century. According to the second version - the dog is still a product of the labor of Australian breeders. They are so convinced of this that they consider the breed their national treasure and they allow puppies to be exported from the country only with special permissions.

In fact, in parallel with the working terrier, his closest relative, Silky Terrier, was brought out. Unlike the first option, which had a hard sticking-out coat of a working dog, the snare was intended for apartment keeping as a decorative dog with soft silky hair.

To date, both lines are considered Australian terriers. The breed was officially registered in 1933 at the English Cynological Organization.

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

• growth to the withers is 25-26 cm;
• weighs a dog within 6.5 kg;
• medium-sized head with a flat forehead and a rounded occipital part;
• moderate, without sharp lines, transition from the forehead to the muzzle, which becomes narrower to the nose;
• strong jaws are endowed with a scissor bite, with an even row of teeth and thin black lips;
• eyes are small, rounded, set not wide, have a dark brown color;
• black nose with wide visible nostrils;
• ears are thin, mobile, set high, standing triangular in shape with a slight rounding;
• the body is long, narrowed lower back, wide chest and straight back, able to maintain shape while running;
• the neck is short, with a smooth bend, without suspension;
• the limbs are short, refined, but strong with rounded small hands and firm dark claws;
• the tail is raised vertically, it is allowed to stop up to the middle of the length; if the tail remains of a natural form, it acquires a slight bend;
• 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 with tan, red, puppies are born black.

The Australian Terrier looks inconspicuous, according to external data inferior to the snare. But in this little dog there are so many positive qualities that they would be enough for several large dogs. He is a seasoned, courageous, hardy, real assistant and hard worker in hard farming. The Australian Wire-haired Terrier does not pretend to be a soft sofa in a warm apartment, like snares, it coexists perfectly both in the house and in the aviary.

The dog is obedient, contact, very devoted to his master. Despite its intended purpose, the pet is affectionate, tactful, cheerful. The only thing that can be reproached to him is the dislike of his own kind.

The second line of the Australian Terrier (Silka) is smaller, graceful, belongs to decorative breeds. It can be kept both in a private house and in an apartment. Representatives of this breed are as follows:

• the dog has growth to the withers from 18 to 23 cm;
• weighs 4 or 5 kg;
• head 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-marked transition from the head to the protruding, high-set ears;
• the body is small, elongated, muscular and strong, the chest is shallow, of a moderate plane, the back is even;
• neck with a slight bend, not long;
• the coat is thick, soft, silky, forms an even beautiful coat;
• silver or blue color with tan.

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

Silki is an inexhaustible source of cheerfulness and optimism. He is very active, if he is deprived of walking in the fresh air, the accumulated energy will literally blow the whole house. Silky terrier loves children and enjoys messing with them. Despite the pampered appearance, the dog has a bold and confident character, is able to keep the situation under control. The pet is very attached to the owner, does not like to be alone, participates in all family affairs, is very curious.

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

• Working on two lines of dogs, independently of each other, the breeders set different goals - they did not require hunting and security abilities from the snares, they had to please the owners with their beautiful decorative appearance.
• In addition to different goals, differences in appearance are also noticeable, the snails are smaller and more intelligent than their relative, in appearance they resemble yorks, and hunting terriers look like cores.
• The main difference between these species relates to their coat. A working dog does not need a long silky coat, like a snail, with such a fur he will not fit into any hole. The Australian Terrier standard has a hard cover of medium length, red-black. In snails, the hair on the body is long with a silver color, divided into 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 can have a blue color with a fawn, which is typical for all Australian terriers, but the hunting option may also have a red color.

Keeping dogs involves not only caring for them, but also walking, feeding, vaccinating, treating, 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 hair of different lengths and structures. Special care requires a decorative look - snare, so we will focus on it. The fur of a hunting terrier is also looked after, only less often. In addition, he does not need a haircut.

• Dogs bathe as they become dirty, about once every two or three weeks. Use special zoo shampoos or balms. After the walk, the pet's feet are washed, and in the summer, a wool is wiped 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 infusion or special pharmaceutical preparations.
• Teeth are cleaned with a brush and toothpaste for dogs once or twice a week. If the puppy’s baby teeth haven’t changed to molars before the age of one year, consult a veterinarian. For the normal condition of the teeth, dogs need to be given solid food, special toys and mosles.
• Claws are sheared as needed. Dogs that often walk outside erase their claws on hard surfaces in a natural way.
• Care for the hair of a snare requires more thorough than for a working terrier, whose fur is medium long and stiff, although it also needs to be combed out. Active molting is not very noticeable, there will be no wool throughout the apartment. But the dog should be combed during this period every day, especially in hard-to-reach places, using not only a comb, but also a special slicker. It is necessary to monitor the formation of tangles, the fallen wool is sorted by hand, then combed with a brush. To make the procedure easier, the fur is moistened with water or balm.
• It is not necessary to cut the medium-haired terrier. As for the snare, he needs to be trimmed about four times a year, as the dense coat of the dog is capable of tangling. Show pets are visited by a grooming specialist several times a month. You can take care of a dog that does not participate in exhibitions by yourself and, having purchased a typewriter, cut it yourself.

About walking it is worth talking separately. Initially, dogs were bred to help humans and they required special working qualities, during the selection the emphasis was on endurance and activity. These properties are fixed in both lines of the Australian Terriers, so dogs need reinforced loads and many hours of walking. Representatives of indoor decorative breed need walks 1-3 times a day from one to three hours for walking. The dog spills out unspent energy on the street 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 the walk, the owner can engage in training the pet, his upbringing. It is necessary to do this, since the working genes of the dog make him hunt all who move on the street - rats, pigeons, cats.

In the spring-autumn period, dogs need overalls. They don’t wear them in order to warm the animal, they are necessary to protect it from dust and dirt, as terriers are short in stature and can sweep the ground with long hair.

From late spring to fall, after each walk, the pet must be examined for ticks. If a parasite is detected, an inexperienced dog breeder should consult a veterinarian. In any case, it is better to do a blood test.

Australian terriers do not require delights, but the food must be healthy and balanced. The dog can not be fed leftover from the master's table, they may contain spices, smoked meats, fatty or fried foods, which will adversely affect the digestion process.

Puppies eat 4 to 6 times a day in fractional portions. As it grows, the number of feeds decreases, and a single dose increases. An adult dog is fed twice a day after walking. Serving should be 20% of the weight of the pets.

The diet of the animal can be natural or premium dry foodthat 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 completely balanced and suitable for a healthy diet.

Dry feed has its advantages:

• It is balanced and meets the needs of animals;
• no need to cook a dog food;
• easy to store;
• do not cause allergies;
• help keep weight within normal limits.

Recommended products for natural nutrition:

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

To maintain normal pet health several times a year should be shown to the veterinarian for preventive purposes and carry out routine vaccination.

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

As for diseases, due to short paws, dogs can suffer from joint dysplasia, in which the limbs are bent and swollen. Dogs can also suffer from epilepsy, diabetes, they have dislocations of the knee joints.

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

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

During dog training it is impossible to punish physically, just lower your voice, a smart pet will understand everything. To consolidate the effect, it is better to encourage the terrier with goodies.

Australian terriers are wonderful and smart companions with an adequate psyche and cheerful disposition. They can be kept in families with children, hunters and active people. Dogs respond to a good attitude with great love and devotion.

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