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Discovering Australian Terriers (a Kennel Club vodcast filmed in the Discover Dogs area at Crufts 2008)

General Appearance
A sturdy low-set dog rather long in proportion to height. Untrimmed, harsh coat with definite ruff around neck extending to breastbone, assists hard bitten and rugged appearance.

Characteristics
Strong terrier character; alertness, activity and soundness. Essentially a working terrier, it is equally suited as a companion dog owing to its loyalty and even disposition.

Temperament
Friendly, extrovert, obedient and anxious to please. Lives happily in town or country. Not aggressive but courageous if attacked.

Head and Skull
Head long with flat skull of moderate width, full between eyes, with slight but definite stop. Muzzle strong but powerful, of equal length to that of skull, which should be covered with a soft, silky ‘top-knot’. Nose black, of moderate size, leather extending to bridge of muzzle.

Eyes
Small with keen expression and of dark brown colour, set well apart and not prominent.

Ears
Small, erect, pointed, well carried, set on moderately wide, free from long hair and sensitive in their use (puppies under six months excepted).

Mouth
Jaws strong and punishing, scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Long, slightly arched, shapely and strong, blending into long, well laid shoulders.

Forequarters
Forelegs well boned and perfectly straight, parallel when viewed from front. Pasterns strong without slope, slightly feathered to knee.

Body
Long in proportion to height, strongly constructed, with well sprung ribs and chest of moderate depth and width. Level topline. Loins strong. Flanks deep.

Hindquarters
Moderate length of quarters, broad with strong muscular thighs, stifles well turned and hocks well bent and let down. Viewed from behind, parallel, neither too wide nor too close.

Feet
Small, well padded, toes closely knit and moderately arched, turned neither in nor out, with strong black or dark toenails.

Tail
Previously customarily docked.
Docked: Set high and carried erect but not over back.
Undocked: Set high and carried upright as straight as possible, giving good overall balance.

Gait/Movement
Free, springy and forceful. When viewed from front, forelegs move truly without looseness of shoulder, elbows or pasterns. Hindquarters have drive and power, with free movement of stifles and hocks. Seen from rear, legs from hocks to ground parallel, neither too close nor too wide.

Coat
Body coat consists of harsh straight dense top coat, approximately 6.35 cms (21/2 ins) long with short, soft-textured undercoat. Muzzle, lower legs and feet free from long hair.

Colour
(a) Blue, steel blue or dark grey blue, with rich tan (not sandy) on face, ears, under body, lower legs and feet and around the vent (puppies excepted). The richer the colour and more clearly defined the better. ‘Top-knot’ blue or silver of a lighter shade than head colour.
(b) Clear sandy or red, smuttiness or dark shading undesirable. ‘Top-knot’ a lighter shade.

Size
Height: approximately 25.5 cms (10 ins) at withers. Weight: approximately 6.5kgs (14 lbs).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last updated - September 2007

Glossary of Canine Terms

Health Information

The Kennel Club operates health screening schemes with other organisations.  Some are clinical veterinary screening schemes and some are DNA screening schemes, which may be relevant to this breed.

The current health screening requirements and recommendations for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders of this breed show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by an Accredited Breeder.

Breed specific summary results from the Purebred Dog Health Survey in 2004 are available.  Individual summaries are only available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

The Kennel Club Illustrated Breed Standards Containing full descriptive standards for 192 breeds, as well as representation for the six Kennel Club recognised breeds that are currently without standards, this beautifully illustrated volume is a must for all dog enthusiasts. This third edition has been completely revised and updated by a panel of experts and incorporates the very latest standards for breeds in each group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

• AUSTRALIAN TERRIER CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN. Sec. Mrs B M Brown. Tel No: 01698 860714
• SOUTHERN COUNTIES AUSTRALIAN TERRIER CLUB. Sec. Ms C Foskett. Tel No: 01252 657405

Date:

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Discover Dogs, Terrier Group 

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