Post by charmingnancy on Mar 17, 2009 13:42:54 GMT -5
Australian Terrier
Group: 4- Terriers
Origin: Australia and Great Britian
Purpose: To eradicate mice and rats
Description:
A sturdy, low-set dog rather long in proportion to height with strong terrier character, alertness, activity, and soundness. Its untrimmed harsh coat, with a definite ruff around the neck, extending to the breastbone, assists its hard-bitten and rugged appearance. Essentially a working terrier, it is equally suited as a companion dog owing to its loyalty and even disposition.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
Coat and Colour: The body coat consists of a harsh, straight dense topcoat approximately 2-1/2 inches (6 cm) long, with short soft textured undercoat. The muzzle, lower legs and feet to be 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. Topknot blue, silver or a lighter shade than head colour.
(b) Clear sandy or red, smuttiness, or dark shadings undesirable. Topknot a lighter shade.
Head: Long with flat skull of moderate width, full between the eyes, with slight but definite stop. The muzzle, strong and powerful, of equal length to that of the skull, which is covered with a soft, silky topknot. Nose black, of moderate size; the leather extending to the bridge of muzzle. Jaw strong and punishing, teeth large and evenly spaced, the upper incisors fitting closely over the lower; lips black, tight and clean. The eyes are small, with keen expression, and of dark brown colour, set well apart and not prominent. The ears are small, erect, pointed, well carried, set on moderately wide, free from long hair and sensitive in their use (puppies under six months excepted).
Neck: Long, slightly arched, shapely and strong.
Forequarters: Shoulders long and well laid. Forelegs well boned and perfectly straight, parallel when viewed from the front. Pasterns strong, without slope (slightly feathered to the knee).
Body: Topline level. Long in proportion to height, strongly constructed, with well-sprung ribs and chest of moderate depth and width. 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 they should be 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: Docked 2/3, set on high, and well carried, but not over the back.
Gait: The action to be free, springy and forceful. When viewed from the front, the forelegs should move truly without looseness of shoulder, elbows, or pasterns. The hindquarters to have drive and power, with free movement of stifles and hocks. Seen from the rear, the legs from the hocks to the ground to be parallel, neither too close nor too wide.
Faults: Flesh-coloured or butterfly nose. White or light-coloured toenails. Soft, woolly, or wavy coat. Black and tan (puppies excepted). Sandy marking in place of tan. Tan smut in blue coat. Shading or smut in sandy or red. Crooked forelegs. Unsoundness. Light eyes. Under or oversize. Under or overshot mouth. Over gay tail. White markings on chest or feet.
Scale of Points:
Skull- 5
Muzzle- 5
Eyes- 5
Ears- 5
Neck- 5
Body- 15
Feet and legs- 15
Coat- 10
Colour- 10
Tail- 5
General appearance- 20
TOTAL= 100
Size:
Weight: The desirable weight is approximately 14 lb. (6 kg).
Height: The desirable height is approximately 10 inches (25 cm).
Temperament:
The Australian Terrier is an intelligent, inquisitive little dog with an innovative outlook on life that carries over into its learning experiences. The Aussie is a quick learner, and quite a crowd pleaser, but easily bored by repetition, and does not respond positively to harsh training methods or severe corrections.
Since all the Terriers tend to be very dominant and somewhat dog-aggressive, proper socialization of the puppy is a must. A puppy training class is recommended and these are often offered by a local dog club or recreation department. An introductory obedience class serves to socialize the puppy by getting it out around other people and dogs, teaches it car manners, and how to behave on a leash. It also gives the owner a support group for help with problems such as chewing and housebreaking.
Health:
Australian Terriers are fortunate in that they do not yet have many of the genetic health problems that affect other breeds. This breed does seem to have a predisposition for diabetes and thyroid disorders. These conditions can easily be managed by a committed owner and veterinarian. On rare occasions, epilepsy has been reported. Like other members of the terrier group, Australian Terriers seem prone to itchy skin and allergies, particularly in warmer climates. These skin conditions may occasionally be caused by an easily corrected imbalance in the thyroid function but are often environmental.
As with other small, active breeds, the Aussie can be affected by a condition called luxating patellas, where the knee cap of the rear legs slips in and out of its groove. This can cause pain and lameness and may require surgical intervention. Although the Aussie does not have hip displasia, it can be affected by a similar condition called Legg-Calve Perthes disease (aseptic necrosis). This disease causes the bone of the femoral head to die and to be gradually resorbed, resulting in collapse of the bone and deformation of the hip joint.
Both luxating patellas and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease are thought to be inherited conditions. Both conditions are aggravated by excessive weight.
Average Lifespan:
11-12 years.
History:
The Australian Terrier is descended from the rough coated type terriers brought from Great Britain to Australia in the early 1800s. The ancestral types of all of these breeds were kept to eradicate mice and rats. The Australian Terrier shares ancestors with the Cairn Terrier, Shorthaired Skye Terrier, and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier; Yorkshire Terriers and Irish Terriers were also crossed into the dog during the breed's development.
Development of the breed began in Tasmania about 1820, and the dogs were at first called the Rough Coated Terrier. The breed was officially recognized with the founding of the first breed club in 1887, and the breed was recognized as the Australian Terrier in 1892. The Australian Terrier was shown at a dog show for the first time in 1903 in Melbourne, and was also shown in Great Britain about the same time. The Kennel Club (UK) recognized the breed in 1933. The American Kennel Club recognized the Australian Terrier in 1960, and the United Kennel Club (US) in 1969. It is now recognized by all of the major kennel clubs in the English speaking world, and also is listed by various minor kennel clubs and other clubs and registries.
Sources:
CKC
Wikipedia
K9 Web
Pictures:
Photobucket
Group: 4- Terriers
Origin: Australia and Great Britian
Purpose: To eradicate mice and rats
Description:
A sturdy, low-set dog rather long in proportion to height with strong terrier character, alertness, activity, and soundness. Its untrimmed harsh coat, with a definite ruff around the neck, extending to the breastbone, assists its hard-bitten and rugged appearance. Essentially a working terrier, it is equally suited as a companion dog owing to its loyalty and even disposition.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
Coat and Colour: The body coat consists of a harsh, straight dense topcoat approximately 2-1/2 inches (6 cm) long, with short soft textured undercoat. The muzzle, lower legs and feet to be 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. Topknot blue, silver or a lighter shade than head colour.
(b) Clear sandy or red, smuttiness, or dark shadings undesirable. Topknot a lighter shade.
Head: Long with flat skull of moderate width, full between the eyes, with slight but definite stop. The muzzle, strong and powerful, of equal length to that of the skull, which is covered with a soft, silky topknot. Nose black, of moderate size; the leather extending to the bridge of muzzle. Jaw strong and punishing, teeth large and evenly spaced, the upper incisors fitting closely over the lower; lips black, tight and clean. The eyes are small, with keen expression, and of dark brown colour, set well apart and not prominent. The ears are small, erect, pointed, well carried, set on moderately wide, free from long hair and sensitive in their use (puppies under six months excepted).
Neck: Long, slightly arched, shapely and strong.
Forequarters: Shoulders long and well laid. Forelegs well boned and perfectly straight, parallel when viewed from the front. Pasterns strong, without slope (slightly feathered to the knee).
Body: Topline level. Long in proportion to height, strongly constructed, with well-sprung ribs and chest of moderate depth and width. 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 they should be 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: Docked 2/3, set on high, and well carried, but not over the back.
Gait: The action to be free, springy and forceful. When viewed from the front, the forelegs should move truly without looseness of shoulder, elbows, or pasterns. The hindquarters to have drive and power, with free movement of stifles and hocks. Seen from the rear, the legs from the hocks to the ground to be parallel, neither too close nor too wide.
Faults: Flesh-coloured or butterfly nose. White or light-coloured toenails. Soft, woolly, or wavy coat. Black and tan (puppies excepted). Sandy marking in place of tan. Tan smut in blue coat. Shading or smut in sandy or red. Crooked forelegs. Unsoundness. Light eyes. Under or oversize. Under or overshot mouth. Over gay tail. White markings on chest or feet.
Scale of Points:
Skull- 5
Muzzle- 5
Eyes- 5
Ears- 5
Neck- 5
Body- 15
Feet and legs- 15
Coat- 10
Colour- 10
Tail- 5
General appearance- 20
TOTAL= 100
Size:
Weight: The desirable weight is approximately 14 lb. (6 kg).
Height: The desirable height is approximately 10 inches (25 cm).
Temperament:
The Australian Terrier is an intelligent, inquisitive little dog with an innovative outlook on life that carries over into its learning experiences. The Aussie is a quick learner, and quite a crowd pleaser, but easily bored by repetition, and does not respond positively to harsh training methods or severe corrections.
Since all the Terriers tend to be very dominant and somewhat dog-aggressive, proper socialization of the puppy is a must. A puppy training class is recommended and these are often offered by a local dog club or recreation department. An introductory obedience class serves to socialize the puppy by getting it out around other people and dogs, teaches it car manners, and how to behave on a leash. It also gives the owner a support group for help with problems such as chewing and housebreaking.
Health:
Australian Terriers are fortunate in that they do not yet have many of the genetic health problems that affect other breeds. This breed does seem to have a predisposition for diabetes and thyroid disorders. These conditions can easily be managed by a committed owner and veterinarian. On rare occasions, epilepsy has been reported. Like other members of the terrier group, Australian Terriers seem prone to itchy skin and allergies, particularly in warmer climates. These skin conditions may occasionally be caused by an easily corrected imbalance in the thyroid function but are often environmental.
As with other small, active breeds, the Aussie can be affected by a condition called luxating patellas, where the knee cap of the rear legs slips in and out of its groove. This can cause pain and lameness and may require surgical intervention. Although the Aussie does not have hip displasia, it can be affected by a similar condition called Legg-Calve Perthes disease (aseptic necrosis). This disease causes the bone of the femoral head to die and to be gradually resorbed, resulting in collapse of the bone and deformation of the hip joint.
Both luxating patellas and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease are thought to be inherited conditions. Both conditions are aggravated by excessive weight.
Average Lifespan:
11-12 years.
History:
The Australian Terrier is descended from the rough coated type terriers brought from Great Britain to Australia in the early 1800s. The ancestral types of all of these breeds were kept to eradicate mice and rats. The Australian Terrier shares ancestors with the Cairn Terrier, Shorthaired Skye Terrier, and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier; Yorkshire Terriers and Irish Terriers were also crossed into the dog during the breed's development.
Development of the breed began in Tasmania about 1820, and the dogs were at first called the Rough Coated Terrier. The breed was officially recognized with the founding of the first breed club in 1887, and the breed was recognized as the Australian Terrier in 1892. The Australian Terrier was shown at a dog show for the first time in 1903 in Melbourne, and was also shown in Great Britain about the same time. The Kennel Club (UK) recognized the breed in 1933. The American Kennel Club recognized the Australian Terrier in 1960, and the United Kennel Club (US) in 1969. It is now recognized by all of the major kennel clubs in the English speaking world, and also is listed by various minor kennel clubs and other clubs and registries.
Sources:
CKC
Wikipedia
K9 Web
Pictures:
Photobucket