Australian Terrier Care: Training, Grooming and Health

By Dr Duncan Houston

Quick Answer

Australian Terriers are small, active dogs that need daily exercise, interesting activities and consistent reward-based training. Their weather-resistant coat is relatively manageable, but teeth, skin and joints still need regular attention. Increased thirst, unexplained weight loss or repeated limping should be investigated rather than attributed to age or terrier behaviour.

Developed in Australia from working terrier ancestry, this breed was used for pest control, alerting and companionship. It retains a keen interest in movement and smells. Small size makes handling and housing easier in some respects, but does not remove the need for training, social contact and safe outlets for normal behaviour.

Living with an active terrier

Offer walks, sniffing, games and short training sessions each day, adjusted for age and fitness. A secure digging area or food-search activity can channel interests that otherwise appear in flower beds or furniture. Provide quiet rest as well as activity; constant stimulation is not the goal.

Use secure fences and supervise outdoor time. Recall practice is valuable, but a rodent or moving small animal may still trigger pursuit. Introduce other pets carefully and maintain safe separation where needed. Early socialisation helps build confidence but cannot guarantee that a terrier will never chase.

Apartment life can work when exercise, toileting, companionship and noise are managed. Practise comfortable brief absences gradually. Persistent barking or destruction when alone may indicate separation distress and needs assessment rather than punishment.

Train the behaviour you want

Reward checking in on walks, keeping four paws on the floor and settling away from windows. For alert barking, reduce repeated exposure to the trigger, acknowledge the situation calmly and guide your dog to an alternative activity they have already learned.

Do not shout or use devices that startle or hurt the dog. Barking can arise from fear, frustration, discomfort or excitement, so the cause matters. Seek reward-based professional support if behaviour is escalating, and arrange a vet check for sudden changes.

Coat and everyday care

Regular brushing, often weekly, helps remove debris from the harsh double coat. Bathe when needed and ask an experienced groomer about trimming or hand stripping that suits the individual coat and your maintenance routine. Do not assume a fixed six-week schedule is necessary for every pet.

Keep hair from irritating the eyes with professional help if needed. A red, painful or squinting eye needs prompt veterinary assessment, not home trimming or plucking close to the eye. Check ears for soreness or discharge, keep nails comfortable and work towards daily toothbrushing with pet toothpaste.

Feed for body condition

Choose a complete food appropriate to life stage and measure portions. Calorie needs depend on the dog and the food, so a fixed half-cup or cup recommendation can overfeed or underfeed. Include treats in the daily allowance and check weight and waist regularly. Routine supplements are not required simply because a dog is active or belongs to this breed.

Health concerns to discuss with your vet

• Patellar luxation: a kneecap that slips from its normal position can cause skipping, intermittent limping or holding up a hind leg. Severity and treatment vary.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease: damage to the head of the thigh bone can cause painful hip disease, often in young small dogs. Persistent hind-leg lameness needs examination and usually imaging. Neutering timing is not an established prevention strategy for this condition.
• Diabetes: increased drinking and urination, increased appetite with weight loss or cloudy eyes deserve prompt assessment. These signs also occur with other illnesses, so blood and urine testing may be needed.
• Skin and dental disease: investigate recurrent itching, hair loss, mouth pain or persistent bad breath. Preventive care works best when the underlying problem is identified.

For puppies, ask to see parental screening results. Published breed recommendations include patella, ophthalmologist and thyroid evaluations. Discuss family history and further checks with your vet; screening is helpful but cannot promise a disease-free life. Avoid treating old owner-survey percentages as a precise risk for your own dog.

Vomiting, marked weakness or appetite loss alongside excessive thirst can indicate serious metabolic illness and needs same-day urgent care. Collapse, severe pain or breathing difficulty requires emergency assessment. Never restrict water to manage increased urination.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Australian Terrier a quiet lap dog?

It may enjoy affection, but typically also needs active engagement and may be vocal. Meet individual dogs before deciding the breed suits your household.

Does an occasional skipping step matter?

Yes. Record it if safe and arrange a veterinary assessment, especially if it recurs or your dog seems painful.

Can a complete diet prevent diabetes?

Good nutrition and healthy weight support overall health, but cannot guarantee prevention of canine diabetes.

How often should I clean the ears?

Inspect them regularly. Cleaning frequency and product choice should reflect the dog's needs and veterinary advice, rather than an automatic weekly treatment.

References include the Australian Terrier Club of America, breed screening guidance and ACVS information on patellar luxation.

ASK A VET™ can help you understand changes in your Australian Terrier's habits or movement and plan appropriate preventive care and veterinary follow-up.