SmallTerrier Group

Australian Terrier

The Australian Terrier was developed in 19th-century Tasmania by crossing British working terrier imports (Yorkshire, Scottish, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, Skye) for rodent and snake control on Australian farms.

Calculate Australian Terrier age

Lifespan13 yrrange 11–15

SizeSmallTerrier Group

Weight15–20 lb6.8–9.1 kg

Senior at8 yrgeriatric at 12

Gallery (3)

About

About the Australian Terrier

Aging

How Australian Terriers age

Not in RVC VetCompass; breed-standard estimates indicate 11-15 years. Diabetes mellitus is the defining breed-specific late-life endocrine concern — incidence above the canine average — with patellar luxation and Legg-Calvé-Perthes secondary.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 13 yr · range 11–15 Senior careSenior at 8 · geriatric at 12 Common health issues4 tracked conditions

Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight: 15–20 lb(6.8–9.1 kg)
Height: 10–11 in(25.4–27.9 cm)
Coat type: Wire
Colors: Blue & TanRedSandy

Temperament

How Australian Terriers tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

spiritedalertcourageousself-assured

Energy
3/5
Trainability
4/5
Good with kids
5/5
Good with other dogs
3/5
Shedding
1/5

Health

Common health issues

Full health profile

Moderatetypical onset ~2 yr
Patellar Luxation
Description and veterinary guidance for Patellar Luxation land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
Low prevalencetypical onset ~7 yr
Cataracts
Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.
Low prevalencetypical onset ~5 yr
Hypothyroidism
Description and veterinary guidance for Hypothyroidism land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from https://ofa.org/diseases/disease-statistics/.