Australian Terrier Dogs for Adoption in Chicago, IL

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.

An Australian Terrier is a small, sturdy working terrier developed in Australia and recognized by the AKC in 1960. It stands about 10 to 11 inches tall, weighs roughly 14 to 20 pounds and has a harsh coat with a ruff and a silky topknot. Many are confident, alert and affectionate, with a classic terrier love of chasing.

Australian Terriers were bred as all-purpose working dogs for settlers in rural Australia. They hunted rats, mice and snakes, kept watch over homesteads and helped around farms and sheep stations. That background explains their courage, keen hearing, readiness to bark and strong prey drive. Today most are companions, though many still enjoy earthdog, barn hunt and agility events.

An Australian Terrier is a low-set, slightly long-bodied little dog with small, pointed, erect ears and dark, keen eyes. Its harsh, straight coat is about two and a half inches long, with a ruff around the neck and a soft, lighter topknot on the head. Colors are blue and tan, solid sandy or solid red.

You groom an Australian Terrier mainly by brushing and combing the harsh coat once or twice a week and plucking out dead hair by hand. Keep the hair on the ears and around the feet short, bathe only occasionally, and trim nails regularly. The breed is meant to look natural, so heavy sculpting or clipping is not needed for a pet.

Australian Terriers shed lightly. Their harsh outer coat and short undercoat release some hair, especially when old hair is ready to come out, but most owners find little on furniture. Regular brushing and occasional hand-plucking of dead hair keep shedding low and the coat healthy. A dog shedding heavily or losing patches should see a veterinarian.

Yes, Australian Terriers are often quite vocal. They were bred to alert settlers to intruders and vermin, so many bark at visitors, unfamiliar sounds and animals outside. Teaching a quiet cue, rewarding calm behavior and giving enough exercise and mental work help reduce nuisance barking, though most will still announce anything they consider important.

An Australian Terrier has a double coat: a harsh, straight outer coat about two and a half inches long over a short, soft undercoat. The neck carries a protective ruff that blends into an apron on the chest, and the topknot on the head is finer and softer than the body coat. The texture helps shed dirt and weather.

Australian Terriers are small dogs, standing about 10 to 11 inches at the shoulder and usually weighing around 14 to 20 pounds. Their bodies are slightly longer than they are tall, which gives them a low, sturdy outline. Females tend to be a little smaller than males, and an adult rescue's current weight is the best guide.

Australian Terriers are fairly uncommon in the United States. In the AKC's 2025 registration rankings they placed 150th out of 202 breeds, so many people have never met one. That rarity means they appear in shelters less often than popular breeds, but terrier rescues and breed-specific rescue groups do list Aussies looking for homes.

No, Australian Terriers are not truly hypoallergenic, because no dog breed is free of allergens. The proteins people react to are in dander, saliva and urine, not just hair. Their low-shedding coat may bother some allergy sufferers less than heavy shedders, so spending time with a specific dog before adopting is the best way to judge.

You can shave an Australian Terrier, but it is generally not recommended unless the coat is badly matted or a veterinarian advises it. Clipping softens the harsh texture and can dull the color, and the coat protects against sun and scrapes. Regular brushing and hand-plucking dead hair keep the coat tidy without losing its natural weather resistance.

Most Australian Terrier puppies' ears stand on their own by around four to six months, so taping is often unnecessary. Keeping the hair on the ears trimmed short reduces weight that can make them droop. If ears still fold after teething, ask a veterinarian or experienced groomer to show you safe taping, since tape that is too tight can damage the ear.

You train an Australian Terrier with short, upbeat sessions, food or toy rewards and consistent rules. Aussies are bright and often eager, but they get bored with repetition, so turning lessons into games works well. Prioritize a reliable recall, a quiet cue and polite greetings, and start socialization early so their alertness does not become excessive barking.

Yes, an Australian Terrier can be a good apartment dog when its exercise and mental needs are met every day. Its small size and light shedding suit compact homes. The main challenge is barking at hallway noises, so training a quiet cue and providing walks, play and puzzle toys matter more than square footage.

Australian Terriers come from Australia, where settlers developed the breed during the nineteenth century from rough-coated terriers brought over from Britain. Cairn, Skye, Yorkshire and Dandie Dinmont terriers are among the breeds often named in its background. It was first shown under the name Rough Coated Terrier before the current name was adopted.