PHOTO of CH TAUFIELD TAIL TELLA (imp NZ) 
(a 10inch 6.5kilo bitch)

TASDALE KENNEL IN NEW ZEALAND HAVE MADE A GROOMING CD (WELL DONE)
CHECK OUT TASDALE WEBPAGE LINK ON MY LINKS PAGE TO GET YOURS  

THE AUSTRALIAN TERRIER

Background  
Proudly Australian the breed evolved from a variety of British Terriers brought out by the early settlers.  Specifically bred for Australain conditions this hard-bitten tough little terrier was used for everthing from guarding homes & farms to hunting from tending the sheep and cattle to killing rats and snakes.

The Aussie is still a working terrier but endear themselves to all they come in contact with and make a desirable companion dog.

The Aussie is equally suited to town or country living, the Australian terrier is noted for their loyalty, intelligence and even disposition. They are neither highly strung or a persistent barker, but with their inbuilt spirit, courage, and air of self assurance, happily assumes the role of protector of home and household.  Sturdy with a harsh easy-to-care for coat, and a history of longevity, finds favour as both indoor and outdoor companion.  Affectionate and well-mannered this spunky little dog tends to develop it's own amusing amd endearing characteristics to delight the family. The Aussie is a good companion for the all ages from babys to 80 year old's

Average Lifespan, Size and Weight
Lifespan is 12 -15 years or longer ------ Height at shoulder 25cm (approx 10in) -------Weight is 6.5 kilos (14 lbs) the Aussie is longer than high  and comes in two colours Blue & Tan  or Sandy to Red. 

Care Requirements
A low set, sturdy, rough-coated dog. Extremely well adapted for Australia's changing climates and protected by a double coat -- a soft undercoat with a weather resistant harsher top coat which grows to a length of 6.5 cm (2 1/2 inches). In maturity both sexes have a ruff framing the head at the neck which then extends into an apron covering the chest. It has a soft silky topknot of lighter colour to main body coat.    Brush their coat a couple of times a week as the brushing stimulates the natural oils in their coat giving them a high gloss.  Bathe only when necessary,  the longer between baths the better. NEVER use conditioner on your Aussies coat as it softens it!!   Minimum exercise is needed, but they will enjoy a daily walk or free roam in a fenced yard.   They are easy to train and will do anything to please you.
 

The Aussie adapts well to other pets (cats & dogs) but they are a hunting/sporting terrier and small animals like guinea pigs/rabbits could be a problem. 

The Aussie is one of the most fun dogs to own but if allowed will be the boss so care must be taken to ensure the two-legged family are the boss!  and you will have the most wonderful companion in your life. 

 THE ANKC STANDARD OF THE AUSTRALIAN TERRIER

THE ANKC HAS ACCEPTED ALTERATION TO TAIL DECRIPTION RE UNDOCKED TAILS (added below)

GENERAL APPEARANCE - A sturdy low-set dog, rather long in proportion to height with strong Terrier character, alertness, activity and soundness.  It's untrimmed, harsh coat with defininite ruff around the neck extending to the breastbone and its long strong head assist in developing it's hard bitten, rugged appearance.

CHARACTERISTICS -  (Not specified)

TEMPERAMENT - Essentially a working terrier, but it's loyalty and even dispostion make it equally suitable as a companion dog

HEAD AND SKULL - Long with flat skull of moderate width, full between the eyes, and slight but definite stop. The muzzle, strong and powerful, equal in length to that of the skull, which is covered with a soft topknot.  The muzzle must be stron and not fall away under the eyes.  Nose black, of moderate size, the leather eztending to the bridge of muzzle.

EYES - The eyes shall be small, oval, with keen expression, and of dark brown colour, set well apart and not prominent.

EARS -The ears are small, erect, pointed, well carried, set on moderately wide, free from long hair and sensitive in their use (puppies under 6mths excepted)

MOUTH - Jaw strong and punishing, teeth large and evenly spaced, the upper incisors fitting closely over the lower (scissor bite), lips black, tight and clean,  The length and strength of muzzle are essential to give the strong, punishing jaw.

NECK - The neck is of good length, slighty arched, strong and flowing in to well angulated shoulders.

FOREQUARTERS - The forechest is well developed, brisket relatively deep with forelegs well boned, straight and parallel when viewed from the front. Pasterns are strong, without slope.  The legs are slighty feathered to the knee.

BODY - Long in proportion to height, strongly constructed, with well sprung ribs and chest of moderate depth and width.  The topline is level with loins strong and deep flanks. In considering the body, attention must be paid to the opening description, "a sturdy low set dog, rather long in proportion to height"

HINDQUARTERS - Moderate length of quarters, broad with strong muscular thighs.  Stifles are well turned with hocks well bent and let down.  Viewed from behind the should be parallel from hock to feet, neither too wide nor too close.

FEET - Small, round, compact, well padded, toes closely knit and moderately arched.  Turned neither in nor out, with strong black or dark toenails.

TAIL -  Docked =    Set on high, well carried, but not over the back.  
          Undocked = Set on high, well carried, as straight as possible, well covered with hair but free of fringing
NOTE  = When judging all importance should be placed on set on of tail.

                                       (personal notes on undocked tail at end of standard)

GAIT/MOVEMENT - The action to be free, true, springy and forceful. When viewed from the front, the forelegs should move truly without looseness of shoulder, elbows or pasterns.  The hindquarters to have drive and power, with fre movement of stifles and hocks. Viewed from the rear the legs from the hocks to the ground to be parallel, neither to close nor to wide.

COAT - The body coat consists of a harsh straight dense top coat approximately 6 centimetres (approximately 2 1/2 ins.) long with soft textured undercoat. The muzzle, lower legs and feet to be free from long hair.

COLOUR - Blue, steel blue or 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 the colour and more clearly defined the better.  Smuttiness is objectional.  Topknot blue, silver, or a lighter shade than head colour.
Clear Sandy or Red.  The topknot of a smiliar or lighter shade.  Any dark shadings or smuttiness undesirable,
In any colour, white markings on chest or feet must be penalised.

SIZE - Height:  Dogs      approx. 25cms (approx. 10ins.) at the withers
                     Bitches   slighty less
         Weight:  Dogs      approx. 6.5 kg (approx. 14 lbs.)
                     Bitches   slighty less.

FAULTS - Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with witch the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to it's degree.

NOTE - Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

UNDOCKED TAIL - (personal comment from observation of tails)  The undocked tail should be set on high to the docked point  the tail will normally from there often go over the back some will hold them almost straight up with a slight tip over at the top. if the tail curls close over the back then it would probably be incorrect if docked.  some tails are correct to the docked point but then drop over the back like a horseshoe shape and actually touch the back (please do not  penalise for this) as it can make the dog look shorter than it is when on the stack. (it is an optical illusion)  The Aussie when on the stack for a period of time will let his tail relax (when docked this would often be too the 1 o'clock postion) but with a full tail it will drop all the way down. as the Aussie is a free stacking dog this is hard to fix without grabbing the tail and holding it up.  The dog should lift the tail the minute it moves.  the tail can be seen relaxed and not tucked in tight as in a scared dog. Some dogs with full tails will hold them up at all times. 
We still have docked and undocked dogs being shown  and though the docked looks better than all those different long tails don't penalise them for dropping the tail on the stack.
          JUDGES please get to know our tailed Aussies  and don't penalise them in a lineup for letting their tail drop.

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