Australian Terrier dog food and health

Australian Terrier description, food, diseases.

History

The Australian Terrier was created in Australia by the British in the early 19th century. They were created from terriers imported from northern England and Scotland. The result of this cross was the Aussie, used for hunting snakes and small animals. They were also used to guard the mines and sheep. They were granted official recognition by the Kennel Club of Great Britain in 1936, and in 1958 the American Kennel Club accepted them.

Size Category Small

Weight Height Range The Aussie stands at approximately 25.4cms at the withers and weighs approximately 6.34kgs.

Coat
The hair is straight, hard, and of medium length. The breed has a blue back and deep shades of tan on legs and muzzle. The locks of hair over the eyes may be blue or silver, but sandy or red is also accepted.

The nose should be black and the muzzle have an inverted V shape area, along the bridge of the nose (from nose to muzzle), with less hair. The jaws should allow a strong scissor bite, top teeth over bottom teeth. The eyes should be small, set well apart and be of a dark brown colour. The ears should never be cropped, and should be standing erect by four months of age. The neck should be long and blend into long shoulders. The legs should be well boned and muscular. The body is long in proportion to the height with a level topline. The feet should be small with tight toes.

Australian Terrier health and diseases problems

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. Flea and parasite control are essential.. A change to a premium lamb and rice food often helps, as does supplementation with fatty acids. Sometimes itchy skin conditions can be caused by perfumes and harsh chemicals used in shampoos and flea sprays.