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Australian Terrier Dogs for Adoption in San Diego, CA

Your guide to finding and caring for an Australian Terrier in San Diego

An Australian Terrier fits a Normal Heights or Kensington routine well, with canyon walks and a fenced park close by. At 14 to 20 pounds, an Aussie handles a bungalow or apartment, and Ward Canyon Neighborhood Park on Adams Avenue has a fenced pen where small dogs can run flat out. They're alert, so expect a announcement for every delivery driver. If you're adopting an Aussie in San Diego, plan on a daily walk, a few puzzle toys and some training around barking.

30 Australian Terriers available in San Diego and nationwide

Give an Australian Terrier a home

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

Australian Terriers Available for Adoption Near San Diego

About the Australian Terrier breed

Australian Terriers came out of 1800s Australia, where settlers crossed rough-coated British terriers to get a hardy dog that could kill rats and snakes and guard the homestead. They stand 10 to 11 inches tall with a long body, erect ears, a harsh coat in blue and tan, sandy or red, and a soft topknot.

That ratter heritage shows up in everyday San Diego life. Many Aussies chase lizards, squirrels and anything else that bolts across a canyon trail, so a leash and a secure yard matter. They're usually affectionate and attached to their people. The low-shedding coat needs weekly brushing and occasional plucking. As with any breed, each dog's personality varies.

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 San Diego

Having an Australian Terrier in San Diego

Aussies pair a working terrier's drive with a small, low-shedding frame. In San Diego, the main questions are whether you can offer daily activity, keep barking manageable around neighbors, and stay on top of coat care and vet visits for a few breed-linked health concerns.

Temperament

Many Australian Terriers are confident, curious and affectionate, and they like staying close to their people. They often bark at visitors and noises, which matters in dense neighborhoods like Hillcrest, and they may chase cats, squirrels or other small pets. Reward-based training and early socialization help, though each dog's personality differs.

Exercise Needs

Plan on daily walks plus play that lets an Aussie chase, dig or solve puzzles. San Diego's canyon trails and fenced small-dog areas give good outlets, and City park trails require a leash no longer than 8 feet. Scent games and short training sessions burn energy on busy days, since a bored Aussie may bark or dig.

Health Considerations

The breed has documented risks of luxating patellas, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, diabetes, allergies, ear infections and some eye conditions. Keep your Aussie lean, watch for limping, extra thirst or head shaking, and schedule regular vet checkups. After walks in San Diego's dry grass, check paws, ears and nose for foxtails.

Living Space

At 14 to 20 pounds, an Australian Terrier fits the apartments, condos and bungalows common in San Diego, as long as exercise is reliable and barking is addressed with training. A securely fenced yard helps, since many Aussies dig or bolt after small animals. They want to live indoors alongside their people.

What it costs to own an Australian Terrier in San Diego

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 San Diego dog license for a spayed or neutered dog, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, and brushing and plucking of the harsh coat.

Adopt an Australian Terrier in San Diego.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Australian Terriers available.

Rescues in San Diego with Australian Terriers Available

San Diego's shelters and rescues care for dogs of every size, and the groups below list their adoptable pets on this page. Here are the rescues & shelters in the San Diego area where you can find Australian Terriers and other dogs available for adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, San Diego has no breed bans or breed restrictions on dogs, and California law limits breed-specific rules to spay/neuter and breeding programs. You'll need to license your Australian Terrier within 30 days of adopting, moving in or the dog turning four months old, with a current rabies vaccine. Unaltered dogs pay a higher license fee.

Often yes, if you can give daily walks and some mental work. San Diego's mild climate, canyon trails and fenced small-dog areas suit an active Aussie. The tradeoffs are barking in dense housing, a strong chase instinct around canyon wildlife and heat in inland neighborhoods. A leash, training and a steady routine make it work.

Maddox Park in Mira Mesa and Rancho Peñasquitos Park have fenced off-leash areas. For leashed hikes, try Tecolote Canyon or Mission Trails Regional Park, keeping to an 8-foot leash. Black Mountain Open Space has red diamond rattlesnakes, a real concern for a terrier bred to chase snakes, so keep your Aussie close.

Yes, for most Aussies. Coastal neighborhoods stay mild, but inland areas get many more 90°F days, so schedule walks for early morning or evening and carry water. Check pavement with your hand first. California law prohibits leaving a dog in a parked car when conditions endanger it, so don't do it, even briefly.

Sometimes. MTS buses and the Trolley require non-service animals to ride fully inside an enclosed carrier that you can hold on your lap and carry yourself, and operators can refuse a noisy animal. A 14-to-20-pound Aussie may fit a carrier, so practice carrier time first, since barking can end a ride.

Only to outdoor patios, and only where the restaurant chooses to allow dogs. California law bars pet dogs from indoor dining areas, with service animals as the exception. Keep your Aussie leashed or in a carrier, off chairs and under control. A calm settle-on-a-mat habit helps, since the breed tends to bark at passersby.

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.

We have 1 rescue with Australian Terriers available: The Barking Lot Rescue. You can see every rescue with Australian Terriers available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the Australian Terriers near San Diego.

Expect roughly $1,350 to $3,070 a year for an Australian Terrier in San Diego. That covers food at $20 to $45 a month, insurance at $35 to $70 a month, routine vet care at $200 to $400 a year, and other costs of $490 to $1,290 a year, including parasite prevention, dental care, supplies and coat upkeep.

Find Australian Terriers in Nearby Cities

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Explore Other Breeds in San Diego

Looking for a different breed? Browse other dogs available for adoption in San Diego.