The Breed History
In Australia, the breed was first exhibited in 1899. These terriers
were the first of the Aussie breeds, with the breed standard finalized
in the year 1896. The AKC registry admitted Australian Terriers in
1960. Breed origins may include the Rough-coated Terrier crossed
over many generations with other terriers such as the Skye, Dandie
Dinmont, Irish, Cairn, Yorkshire, Black-and-Tan Terrier, and perhaps
the Norwich Terrier. They were first brought to North America
following the Second World War.
Breeding for Function
This small terrier was bred for both companionship and as a sturdy
hunting partner. He also served as protector of sheep flocks and
family. Rat and snake control were common tasks for which this
terrier was bred.
Physical Characteristics
Height at Withers: 10-11" (25.4-28 cm).
Weight: 12-14 lb (4-7 kg).
Coat: The double coat is water resistant. Outer coat is straight,
harsh and broken, and 2-1/2" (6 cm) long except furnishings. Inner
coat is dense and short. Colors include blue and tan, sandy, and red.
The hairs form a distinct topknot, apron and ruff. White markings
on feet and chest are faults.
Longevity: 14 years
Points of Conformation: The Australian Terrier is characterized by
a sturdy build, with medium bone and musculature. They possess an
alert expression, high head carriage, and the body is a fair bit longer
than tall. The gait is smooth and agile. Ears are small, triangular and
held pricked up. Oval eyes are small and dark brown, wide-set and
palpebral margins are also black. A definite stop is standard. Nose is
colored black and the bridge of the nose has a hairless area. Lips are
dark, and the neck is long. The thorax has well-sprung ribs and the
topline is level. The tail is high-set and carried high; usually docked
to about one half of the natural length. Limbs are straight boned,
dewclaws are usually removed, feet small and compact, and nails
black.
Recognized Behavior Issues and Traits
Reported breed characteristics include: Good in rural and urban
environments, courageous, good alarm barkers, low shedding,
adaptable, loyal, and intelligent. Can be scrappy with other dogs,
enjoys close human companionship, good with other pets if
raised with them (except other dogs, especially inter-male), high
trainability, very high energy, spirited, like to dig and if off leash,
they should be in a securely fenced enclosure; may also jump a
fence. Should be socialized to pets and children since the strong
chase instinct means that small pets could be viewed as prey.
Normal Physiologic Variations
None reported
Drug Sensitivities
None reported
Inherited Diseases
Patella Luxation: Polygenically inherited laxity of patellar
ligaments, causing luxation, lameness, and later degenerative joint
disease. Treat surgically if causing clinical signs. Reported 8.0x odds
ratio versus other breeds. OFA reports 11.9% affected. Reported at a
frequency of 9.0% in the 2002 ATCA Health Survey.
Hip Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing degenerative
joint disease and hip arthritis. OFA reports 2.4% affected.
Legg-CalvР№-Perthes Disease: Polygenically inherited aseptic
necrosis of the femoral head, resulting in degenerative joint disease.
Can be unilateral or bilateral, with onset of degeneration usually
between 6-9 months of age. Treat surgically if causing lameness/
discomfort. Reported at a frequency of 1.6% in the 2002 ATCA
Health Survey.
Elbow Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing elbow
arthritis. Too few Australian Terriers have been screened by OFA to
determine an accurate frequency.
Disease Predispositions
Diabetes Mellitus: Sugar Diabetes. Australian Terriers are the
breed with the highest incidence of DM. Caused by a lack of insulin
production by the pancreas. Controlled by insulin injections, diet,
and glucose monitoring. Reported at a frequency of 9.8% in the
2002 ATCA Health Survey. Unknown mode of inheritance.
Cataracts: Anterior or posterior intermediate and punctate
cataracts occur in the breed. Unknown mode of inheritance.
Reported in 4.10% of Australian Terriers presented to veterinary
teaching hospitals. Identified in 1.48% of Australian Terriers CERF
examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between 2000-2005.
Reported at a frequency of 5.1% in the 2002 ATCA Health Survey.
CERF does not recommend breeding any Australian Terrier with a
cataract.
Hypothyroidism: Inherited autoimmune thyroiditis. 4.9% positive
for thyroid auto-antibodies based on testing at Michigan State
University. (Ave. for all breeds is 7.5%). Reported at a frequency of
3.6% in the 2002 ATCA Health Survey.
Allergic Dermatitis: Presents with pruritis and pyotraumatic
dermatitis (hot spots). The 2002 ATCA Health Survey reports 4.7%
allergic to fleas, 0.8% to inhaled allergens, and 1.8% to food.
Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture (ACL): Traumatic tearing of
the anterior cruciate ligament. Treatment is surgery. Reported at a
frequency of 4.4% in the 2002 ATCA Health Survey.
Urinary Calculi (Bladder Stones): Mineral content of stones not
specified. Reported at a frequency of 4.4% in the 2002 ATCA Health
Survey.
Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas causing vomiting
and peritonitis. Can be life threatening if severe. Reported at a
frequency of 2.7% in the 2002 ATCA Health Survey.
Deafness: Congenital deafness can be unilateral of bilateral.
Diagnosed by BAER testing. Reported at a frequency of 2.3% in the
2002 ATCA Health Survey. Not listed as a breed at risk by Strain.
Idiopathic Epilepsy (inherited seizures): Control with anti-seizure
medication. Reported at a frequency of 2.1% in the 2002 ATCA
Health Survey.
Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease): Hyperfunction of the
adrenal gland caused by a pituitary or adrenal tumor. Clinical signs
may include increased thirst and urination, symmetrical truncal
alopecia, and abdominal distention. Reported at a frequency of
1.9% in the 2002 ATCA Health Survey.
Cryptorchidism (Retained Testicles): Can be unilateral or bilateral.
This is a sex-limited disorder with an unknown mode of inheritance.
Reported at a frequency of 1.6% in the 2002 ATCA Health Survey.
Distichiasis: Abnormally placed eyelashes that irritate the cornea
and conjunctiva. Can cause secondary corneal ulceration. Identified
in 1.48% of Australian Terriers CERF examined by veterinary
ophthalmologists between 2000-2005.
Persistent Pupillary Membranes: Strands of fetal remnant
connecting; iris to iris, cornea, lens, or involving sheets of tissue. The
later three forms can impair vision, and dogs affected with these
forms should not be bred. Identified in 1.48% of Australian Terriers
CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between 2000-2005.
Mast Cell Tumor (MCT): Skin tumors that can reoccur locally or
with distant metastasis. Reported at a frequency of 1.3% in the
2002 ATCA Health Survey.
Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS, Dry Eye): Ocular condition
causing lack of tear production and secondary conjunctivitis,
corneal ulcerations, and vision problems. Reported at a frequency of
1.1% in the 2002 ATCA Health Survey.
Allergic Inhalant Dermatitis, Cleft Lip/Palate, Glucocerebrosidosis,
Juvenile Cellulitis, Megaesophagus, Patent Ductus
Arteriosus, Portosystemic Shunts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy,
and Retinal Dysplasia are reported.
Isolated Case Studies
Gastrinoma: An 8-year-old, spayed female Australian Terrier was
presented with weight loss, inappetence, lethargy and a 2-day
history of intermittent vomiting. Fasting serum gastrin levels were
markedly elevated. The dog was treated with omeprazole, ranitidine
and sucralfate, and remained clinically normal for 26 months.
Histopathology and immunocytochemistry confirmed the diagnosis
of metastatic gastrinoma.
Ganglioneuroma: An 18-month-old, spayed female Australian
Terrier was presented with a 10-month history of chronic large
bowel diarrhea. Two rectal masses were removed, and found to
be ganglioneuromas on histopathology. There was no recurrence
post-surgically.
Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumour: An 18-month-old female
Australian terrier that died of central nervous system disease was
found to have a large hemorrhagic primitive neuroectodermal
tumour with ependymal differentiation replacing the thalamus and
part of the hypothalamus of the brain.
Genetic Tests
Tests of Genotype: none
Tests of Phenotype: CHIC Certification: Required testing includes
CERF eye examination, patella evaluation, and thyroid profile
including autoantibodies. (See CHIC website; caninehealthinfo.
org). Recommend hip and elbow radiographs, cardiac evaluation,
blood and urine glucose tests for diabetes.
Miscellaneous
- Breed name synonyms: Aussie, Broken-coated Toy Terrier
(Historical).
- Registries: AKC, UKC, CKC, KCGB (Kennel Club of Great Britain),
ANKC (Australian National Kennel Club), NKC (National Kennel Club).
- AKC rank (year 2008): 113 (330 dogs registered)
- Internet resources: Australian Terrier Club of America:
australianterrier.org
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