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The Australian Terrier and its closest relative, the Australian Silky Terrier (from the English Silky Terrier), belong to the variety of small working terriers. This is a fairly miniature type of four-legged pets that have a good-natured disposition and a perky character. Dog breeders argue that the main feature of the Australian is his good disposition to any person.
Dogs of this breed are very obedient, have an extraordinary mind, can be good shepherd dogs. And thanks to the innate scent and excellent dog intuition by nature, these dogs can be first-class hunters and watch dogs. In addition, dogs of this breed have developed self-esteem. We can say that these pets have absorbed all the best from their distant British relatives. Indeed, despite the fact that the breeding of this breed of dogs is associated with the colonization of the Australian continent, the history of the appearance of these representatives has deep English roots.
About the character of the Australian Terrier
A small four-legged pet with a woolly fur coat stands out for its extremely active character. The Australian will always find a reason and desire to play a little foolishly. Pampering in his blood, he has a cunning mind, perseverance and perseverance. Only a master with a strong will and great patience can curb his cheerful and fervent disposition. That is why many dog breeders claim that these dogs need rigor and upbringing, otherwise it will be practically impossible to obtain unquestioning obedience and obedience from these animals.
Dogs of this breed are real hunters from nature, their roots go deep into the history of the development of Australia. But the abilities of these four-legged pets were improved thanks to the harsh climate of this hot continent. Even, despite their nondescript appearance, as for a hunting dog, these pets have a solid character, stamina, courage and endurance. A subtle instinct and quick reaction make the Australian an indispensable assistant in the household. Australian terriers are often used by farmers as rat-catchers. Terriers are also great guards. Dogs are warned of approaching intruders by noise, active behavior and loud barking.
If necessary, terriers can use a stranglehold, which is considered useful for hunting dogs. Nature endowed these pets with a good innate instinct of the hunter. That is why you should not be surprised if, during a walk, a pet will cut through the infield along and across. Digging holes is a favorite activity of terriers, because in this way the dog preys on small animals. Therefore, it is not surprising that dogs of this breed are jokingly called shrews or small excavators that can stop digging underground passages only when everything is dug up.
These pets may be too impulsive and be aggressive towards other relatives. Terriers are able to get caught without a good reason behind a passing cyclist or car wheels. That is why it is worth going for a walk with a terrier on a leash or taking a muzzle with you. However, with good training, these dogs can be very loyal, obedient and balanced animals. And the excessive activity and innate impulsiveness of these dogs will easily give way to humility and gratitude to the owners.
Terriers are brave in nature, they are used to defending their territory.These dogs have earned the title of pet due to their ingenuity and peculiar disposition. However, this breed is not so common among dog breeders around the world. It's all about the excessive hunting instincts of this pet, which require going out. However, Australians do not want to have more popular dog breeds, so they consider terriers to be the real pride of their country.
Coat color and breed data
The suit of Australian terriers has a variety of shades. Pets can have blue with silver or gray fur coats with red spots, or light sand or red tones of wool. Dog breeders believe that the more saturated and vibrant the dog’s coat is, the more the pet is considered more thoroughbred. But the white marked dogs in the chest area are considered a serious drawback.
Puppies of this breed at birth have a black color, but with age, the shade of the coat completely changes. The fur coat of the four-legged pets becomes black and silver, almost steel or dark gray. The trunk below, the head, ears and paws have a rich deep tan. The more distinct and pronounced the color of the pet coat, the better. In this case, dark spots and blackening of the coat is considered a defect.
On the head of the terriers you can see a silky forelock, which differs in its texture and color from the rest of the fur coat of pets. This crest in the crown should have a lighter color than the rest of the muzzle. The hair on the terrier’s head has a silvery or lighter tone of hair than on the rest of the head. Sometimes a crest has a pure fawn or red color. In this case, any dark marked on the wool are considered a serious flaw. In dogs with a coat of a red or sand shade, such a forelock should have a fawn or wheat color. In blue dogs, the crest has a blue or silver color without white spots. Such a forelock is a characteristic feature of the Australian breed and serves as a protective barrier for the pet's eyes during digging holes.
Nutrition
If you decide to get a puppy of the Australian Terrier, you should ask the breeder in detail about how many times a day he fed the dog. This precaution is important for puppy's health, as during the first month the diet and the number of meals a pet should not change much. The dog begins to accustom to a different diet only after two or three weeks after purchase. At the same time, such changes should be introduced gradually so as not to harm the baby's health. And the appearance of a new product in a pet's bowl and the disappearance of an old one should not occur abruptly. The whole process of changing the diet in a puppy can be about a month.
The most correct and optimal amount of food intake per day is considered three times feeding the puppy under the age of three months. As the animal grows and grows, the number of meals can be gradually reduced to two times during the day. In order not to harm the health of the four-legged pet and choose the right amount of portions eaten, you should not keep a bowl of food in the usual place all the time. It is necessary to accustom the dog to the fact that the bowl is put for food for only fifteen or twenty minutes. Thanks to this tricky method, the pet will not overeat. It is also better for the owners to choose the best time for feeding the pet. Therefore, it is better to teach a puppy from childhood to eat at the same set time.
Terrier diets should include premium dry foods or organic foods. However, experienced dog breeders do not recommend owners to mix these two types of food together. Of natural feeds, it is forbidden to give sweet foods, smoked meats, sausages, medium-sized or too small bones to terriers.In order for the pet's teeth to develop well, large bones are perfect. Such bones will not cause any harm to the digestion of the quadruple. It is also not recommended to give meat with viscera, as meat products in the diet of the terrier should be cleaned.
The composition of the menu of Australians must include buckwheat, rice porridge, oatmeal and other varieties of cereals. Porridge should make up approximately 40% of the dog’s diet. It is also necessary to give healthy vegetables to terriers, with the exception of cabbage. Many vitamins useful for terriers are found in baked fish, cow's milk, and various fruits. At the same time, do not abuse these products too much so as not to harm the body of the pet.
Care
It is also necessary to take care of the four-legged pet daily, maintain the elasticity of the coat and comb it daily. Dog breeders do not advise new owners to bathe their terriers very often. It is enough to carry out water procedures no more than once every two to three months or six months. Or bathe the Australians as the pet's hair becomes dirty. Of course, this does not apply to the natural procedure of washing off dirt from the paws after walking in the autumn or spring season. During swimming, it is recommended to use high-quality shampoos and rinse for long-haired dogs.
Another best option for caring for a pet is to visit a grooming master in a pet beauty salon. In the grooming salon, you can cut the hair and cut the nails of the dogs about once every two to three months, or as necessary.
Owners should inspect their pet's fur coat daily to clean up adhering hairs. Dog ears should be wiped with oil once a week. If you correctly compile the diet of terriers, then their teeth retain white enamel for a very long time. However, plaque formation in an animal is also considered normal. It is recommended to examine the oral cavity of dogs for plaque and cracks in the teeth. To clean the pet’s teeth, it is enough to feed it with soft cartilage or special sticks to clean the mouth of the dog. At the same time, if a very strong deposit of stones has formed on the dog’s teeth, it is worth taking him to the veterinarian and changing the composition of his diet.
Training and walks
In order for the Australian Terrier to grow up healthy and active, you should follow the regimen and walk your pet. This variety of terrier breed is not a short enough twenty-minute walk on the street. A four-legged friend needs an active walk in the fresh air for a longer time. The pet should walk up, feel freedom and space, drive the neighboring cats, dogs and sparrows.
This breed of dog has a fairly sharp mind and quick wits, but they are a bit stubborn. Due to this character trait, the process of raising a pet can be delayed. Do not let the dog off the leash until the puppy has mastered the training of the call. To make it easier for owners to interact with their new four-legged friend, you need to teach him the main teams that are part of the basic dog training program. And to discourage the dog from bad behavior or unwanted action,tell the owner with a firm enough voice: “You can't!” At the same time, you should not use physical violence against the dog and punish it with force - this can make the dog cowardly and aggressive towards the owners. Such a basic program of training teams will help the dog owner to control the terrier and protect it from possible danger on the roadway.
Video: Australian Silky Terrier
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