Country of Origin: The Australian Terrier (affectionately known
as ‘Aussie’), developed in Tasmania, is the first recognized
Australian breed. Its ancestors were a mix of now-extinct breeds
which also generated the Yorkshire Terrier, Dandie Dinmont
Terrier, Scotch Terrier, and Manchester Terrier. The breed came
to be called the ‘Rough Coated Terrier’, then the ‘Broken Coated
Terrier’ due to its distinctive blue and tan coat. It was used
as a herding and guard dog and for hunting snakes and pests. The
Australian Terrier was imported to America beginning in the
1920’s and was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in
1960. Size: The Australian Terrier has a shoulder height of
23-28 cm (9-11 in) and weighs 4-6 kg (9-14 lbs). It is a small
Terrier with a long head, high ‘V’-shaped ears, and small, dark,
oval eyes. It has a black nose, scissors bite, and slight stop
(point at which the muzzle meets the forehead). Aussies have a
highly set tail carried vertically and small ‘cat’ feet. They
are longer than the