Australian Terrier characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | 24% of breeds |
| Energy level | High | — |
| Trainability | Medium | 48% of breeds |
| Friendliness | Medium | 34% of breeds |
| Good with children | Medium | — |
| Grooming needs | Low | 24% of breeds |
| Shedding | Low | 26% of breeds |
| Barking | Medium | 41% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | High | 22% of breeds |
| Adaptability | High | 31% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 14 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | No | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the Australian Terrier right for you?
The Australian Terrier is a compact little dog that fits small homes easily and never crowds a room. In terms of temperament, it is generally good with children when socialized and supervised and is naturally watchful and protective of its family and home. Day to day, the Australian Terrier needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Australian Terrier needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced. With high energy and high athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Australian Terrier to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Australian Terrier needs minimal coat care, just a weekly once-over and sheds very little. It is not considered hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time around the breed first.
Temperament and training
The Australian Terrier trains reasonably well with regular positive sessions and barks a moderate amount, usually with reason. It manages solitude comfortably, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the Australian Terrier
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Australian Terrier genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Size: Small — the Australian Terrier is genuinely small, which suits limited space. Only 24% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Australian Terrier actually costs you
| Exercise | Around an hour to ninety minutes of daily exercise, and it will notice when a day is skipped. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Occasional brushing is enough. |
| Time alone | Handles normal working hours better than most, given exercise either side. |
| Noise | Average for a dog — it will bark at the door and at things it dislikes. |
Where the Australian Terrier fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Good fit | High energy and medium barking travel well into a flat. |
| Families with young children | Depends | Medium child tolerance: fine with supervision and older children, less so with toddlers. |
| First-time owners | Depends | Manageable for a committed beginner who takes training seriously from week one. |
| Homes with cats | Depends | High prey drive. Introductions need managing, and a bolting cat triggers exactly the instinct this breed was selected for. |
| Long working days | Good fit | High independence, so time alone is less of a problem than for many breeds. |
| Allergy households | Depends | No low-allergen coat recorded, though shedding is not extreme. |
| Wanting a watchful dog | Good fit | High protectiveness. Socialisation decides whether that reads as steady or reactive. |
Perfect for
- Apartment living
- Active seniors
- First-time terrier owners
- Small yards
Things to consider
- Typical terrier personality
- Can be stubborn
- May chase small animals
- Needs mental stimulation
Not sure which breed is right for you?
Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.
Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Australian Terrier good with children?
- The Australian Terrier can be good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
- Does the Australian Terrier shed a lot?
- The Australian Terrier has low shedding.
- How much exercise does the Australian Terrier need?
- With high energy, the Australian Terrier needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation — long walks, runs or active play.
- How long does the Australian Terrier live?
- The Australian Terrier typically lives around 14 years.
- Can the Australian Terrier live in an apartment?
- Yes — the Australian Terrier is small and not overly vocal, so it adapts well to apartment living with daily walks.
- Is the Australian Terrier easy to train?
- The Australian Terrier trains reasonably well with regular positive sessions. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Australian Terrier be left alone during the day?
- The Australian Terrier manages solitude comfortably. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.