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Australian Terrier

His origins in Australia are said to include many of the terrier breeds. A cheerful, lively little dog. He is very smart, but with a rugged hard-bitten appearance,partly derived from the expressionn and the size of his dark, keen eyes. He has a ready for anything approach to live, enjoys exercise and plenty of play. He makes a good housedog, and is watchful and vociferous at the approach of strangers. A very popular breed in the country from which he derives his name, the breed comes in two distinct colours-blue and tan, and all red. As puppies the blue and tan often catty a blue - black coat, which changes in colour when the puppies is about nine months old. The Aussie is a good all - round family dog.

General Appearance ** A sturdy low-set dog rather long in proportion to height. Untrimmed, harsh coat with definite ruff around neck extending to breastbone, assists hard bitten and rugged appearance.

Characteristics ** Strong terrier character; alertness, activity and soundness. Essentially a working terrier, it isequally suited as a companion dog owing to its loyalty and even disposition.

Temperament **

Friendly, extrovert, obedient and anxious to please. Live happily in town or country. Not aggressive but courageous if attacked.

Head and skull ** Head long with flat skull of moderate width, full between eyes, with slight but definite stop. Muzzle strong and powerful, of equal length to that of skull, which should be covered with a soft, silky top-knot. Nose black, of moderrate size, leather extending to bridge of muzzle.

Eyes ** Small with keen expression and of dark brown colour, set well appart and not prominent.

Ears ** Small, erect, pointed, well carried, set on moderately wide, free from long haire and sensitive in their use ( puppies under six months excepted.

Mouth ** Jaws strong and punishing, scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck ** Long , slightly arched, shapely and strong, blending into long, well laid shoulders.

ForeQuarters ** Forelegs well boned and perfectly straight, parallel when viewed from front. Pasterns strong without slope, slightly feathered to knee.

Body ** Long in proportion to height, strongly constructed, with well sprung ribs and chest of moderate depth and width. Level topline> loins strong. Flanks deep.

HindQuarters ** Moderate length of quarters, broad with strong muscular thights, stifles well turned and hocks well bent and let down. Viewed from behind, parallel, neither too wide nor to clode.

Feet ** Small, well padded, toes closely knit and moderately arched, turned neither in nor out, with strong black or dark toenails.

Tail ** Customarily docked, set high, and carried erect, but not over back.

Gait & Movement ** Free, springy and forceful. When viewed from front, forelegs move truly without looseness of shoulder, elbows or pasterns. Hinquarters have drive and power, with free movement of stifles and hocks. Seen from rear, legs from hocks to ground parallel, niether too close nor too wide.

Coat ** Body coat consists of harsh, straight, dense top coat, approximately 6.35 sms ( 2 ins ) long with short, soft-textured undercoat. Muzzle, lower legs and feet free from long hair.

Colour ** ( a ) Blue, steel blueor 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 colour and more clearly defined the better. Top - knot blue or silver of a lighter shade then head colour. (b) Clear sandy or red, smuttiness or dark shading undesirable. Top - knot a lighter shade.

Size ** Height: approximately 25.4cms ( 10 ins ) at withers. Weight: approximately 6.34 kgs ( 14 lbs ).

Faults ** Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note ** Male animals should have twoo apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.