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Australian Terrier Dogs for Adoption in Los Angeles, CA

Your guide to finding and caring for an Australian Terrier in LA

Australian Terriers and LA suit each other more than you might expect. A small, sturdy dog weighing 14 to 20 pounds fits condos, bungalows and apartments alike, and the city's mild winters suit its weather-ready coat. Adopters should plan for a spirited, vocal terrier, summer heat that varies by neighborhood, and licensing and spay/neuter rules that apply to every dog. City shelters and rescues are the best place to start.

30 Australian Terriers available in Los Angeles and nationwide

Give an Australian Terrier a home

While we don't have enough dogs near Los Angeles, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.

Australian Terriers Available for Adoption Near Los Angeles

About the Australian Terrier breed

The Australian Terrier was developed in 19th-century Australia from rough-coated British terriers, and it was the first native Australian breed to be recognized. Years of work as a ratter, snake killer and homestead watchdog left it with a harsh blue-and-tan, sandy or red coat, a ruff and a silky topknot on a long, low frame about 10 to 11 inches tall.

In LA, the breed's alert, confident personality matters as much as its size. Many Aussies bond closely with their people, announce every sound and chase small animals, so they do best with daily activity, good leash manners and patient, game-like training. Dogs vary, so look at a particular dog's behavior when you meet it.

Weight
14–20 lbs
Height
10–11 in
Lifespan
11–15 yrs
Temperament
Spirited, Courageous, Alert
Group
Terrier
Shedding
Low

Owning an Australian Terrier in Los Angeles

Having an Australian Terrier in LA

Aussies are compact working terriers: lively, watchful and easy to carry, with a low-shedding, harsh coat. In LA, their noise level, daily exercise needs, heat tolerance and a few inherited health risks do the most to decide whether one fits your routine.

Temperament

Many Australian Terriers are confident, affectionate and quick to sound an alarm, which can strain thin apartment walls or busy sidewalks. They may be bossy with other dogs and tempted by cats, squirrels and lizards. Early socialization and reward-based training help, but every dog differs, so look at how a dog behaves when you meet it.

Exercise Needs

Plan on daily walks plus play that lets an Aussie chase, sniff and solve problems. LA's year-round walking weather helps, but dogs must be leashed outside designated off-leash areas, so scent games, puzzle toys and short training sessions fill the gaps. A bored terrier may bark or dig. On hot days, walk early or late.

Health Considerations

Breed risks include luxating patellas, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, diabetes, allergies, ear infections and some eye problems. Watch thirst, appetite and limping, and keep the dog lean. After smoky or windy, dusty days, wipe paws and check eyes and ears for irritation. Any known history matters, so schedule regular checkups.

Living Space

At 14 to 20 pounds, an Australian Terrier fits LA condos, apartments and houses when exercise is dependable. Barking can test close neighbors, so practice quiet cues early. In a house, a fully enclosed yard matters because many dig or bolt after small animals. Daily time with its people counts for more than square footage.

What it costs to own an Australian Terrier in Los Angeles

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Food$20 to $45 per month$240 to $540
Pet insurance$35 to $70 per month$420 to $840
Routine vet care$200 to $400 per year$200 to $400
Other*$490 to $1,290 per year$490 to $1,290
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$1,350 to $3,070

Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* The $20 Los Angeles dog license for a spayed or neutered dog, a dental cleaning allowance, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, toys and bedding, and brushing, plucking and occasional tidying of the harsh coat.

Adopt an Australian Terrier in Los Angeles.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have dogs available in and near Los Angeles.

Rescues and Shelters in or near Los Angeles

LA has six city animal shelters plus many independent rescues, so it's worth checking several and asking about terriers. Here are the rescues & shelters in the LA area with dogs available for adoption, worth asking whether an Australian Terrier is coming in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, as long as the dog stays in a secure carrier made for that purpose. Metro permits animals in carriers, plus service animals as defined by the ADA. At 14 to 20 pounds, many Aussies fit a roomy carrier, but a larger one may not. Keep the dog under control, clean up any mess, and check current fare rules with Metro.

Usually yes, with precautions. The small size and coat cope with LA's warm, dry summers, but heat varies: the coast stays milder while the San Fernando Valley bakes. Walk at dawn or dusk, keep paws off hot pavement and sand, provide water and shade, and watch for heavy panting or unsteadiness. Hot days can continue into October.

Try the Eagle Rock, Whitnall or Westwood dog parks for off-leash play, and read the posted rules first. For trails, Runyon Canyon allows off-leash dogs only in designated areas, while Griffith Park, home to coyotes, bobcats and rattlesnakes, is a good place to practice leash manners with a terrier that likes to chase.

Yes. LA has no breed-specific rules for owning a dog, and California law limits breed-based regulation. Dogs adopted from LA Animal Services come spayed or neutered and microchipped, and City residents also receive a first-year license. Stay within the three-dog household limit, and look at what a rescue includes with adoption.

Only to some outdoor patios. California law lets restaurants choose whether to allow pet dogs in outdoor dining areas, with conditions such as a leash or carrier and no dogs on seats. Indoor dining rooms are off limits except for service animals. Ask before you sit, and keep an alert, barky terrier settled with a chew.

Plan on weekly brushing, with occasional plucking or tidying of the harsh coat; heavy professional grooming is usually unnecessary. In LA's heat, don't shave the coat, since fur protects against sunburn and overheating. Keep ear hair short and check ears after rainy days. Grooming costs are part of the yearly other costs above.

Often yes, for adopters who want an active, alert small dog and can manage its volume. Mild weather and year-round outings help, while heat, wildfire smoke days and rental rules need planning. Barking becomes a legal nuisance only after LA Animal Services issues written notice, but training quiet habits early keeps neighbors on your side.

Yes, Australian Terriers are often excellent pets for people who want a small dog with a big, busy personality. Many are affectionate, adaptable and trainable, and they bond closely with their families. The trade-offs are a tendency to bark, a strong urge to chase small animals and a need for daily exercise and mental activity to stay settled.

Australian Terriers typically live about 11 to 15 years. Some sources put the average closer to 11 or 12, with females often living slightly longer than males. Keeping an Aussie lean, active and up to date on dental care and checkups gives the best chance of a long life, and conditions such as diabetes are easier to manage when caught early.

Expect roughly $1,350 to $3,070 a year for an Australian Terrier in LA, covering food at $20 to $45 a month, insurance at $35 to $70 a month, routine vet care at $200 to $400 a year, and about $490 to $1,290 a year in other costs. Emergency care and boarding are extra, and quotes vary by clinic.

Find Australian Terriers in Nearby Cities

Expand your search to find Australian Terriers available for adoption near Los Angeles.

Explore Other Breeds in Los Angeles

Looking for a different breed? Browse other dogs available for adoption in Los Angeles.