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Australian Terrier Dogs for Adoption in Indianapolis, IN

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

Australian Terriers suit an Irvington bungalow street well, as long as they get a real walk every day. At 14 to 20 pounds, they're easy to carry up porch steps, and the Pleasant Run Greenway offers miles of leashed walking from Ellenberger Park. They do bark at anything passing the front window, so expect to teach a quiet cue. Winter salt means wiping paws, but the harsh double coat gives some protection against Indy's cold.

30 Australian Terriers available in Indianapolis and nationwide

Give an Australian Terrier a home

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

Australian Terriers Available for Adoption Near Indianapolis

About the Australian Terrier breed

Australian Terriers were developed in 1800s Australia from rough-coated British terriers, working as ratters, snake killers and homestead watchdogs. They were the first native Australian breed to gain recognition, and the AKC accepted them in 1960. Adults stand 10 to 11 inches tall and are long in the body, with erect ears, a harsh coat in blue and tan, sandy or red, and a soft topknot.

In Indianapolis, that background shows up in everyday ways. Many Aussies are confident and affectionate, bond closely with their people and chase squirrels with real conviction, which matters on greenway walks and in fenced yards. The coat sheds lightly and needs brushing and occasional plucking rather than regular clipping. Every dog varies, but most do best with an adopter who enjoys training games and can offer daily activity.

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 Indianapolis

Having an Australian Terrier in Indy

An Australian Terrier brings working-terrier drive in a small body. Adopters in Indy should weigh its alert nature, steady need for activity, light-shedding coat and a few known health concerns against their routine, yard and neighbors.

Temperament

Australian Terriers tend to be confident, curious and affectionate, and many want to join every household activity. They often announce visitors, and on a busy Indy block that can mean barking at passing walkers. Some are bossy with other dogs, and small pets can set off their chase instincts. Reward-based training and early socialization help.

Exercise Needs

Plan on daily walks plus play that lets an Aussie chase, sniff and think. The Monon Trail and Pleasant Run Greenway suit leashed outings, and a paid pass or $5 daily fee opens the fenced Indy Parks bark parks. Short training sessions and puzzle toys matter as much as mileage for a bored terrier.

Health Considerations

Australian Terriers are generally sturdy, but the breed has documented risks of luxating patellas, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, diabetes, allergies, ear infections and some eye problems. Watch for limping, increased thirst or constant scratching, and keep weight lean. A veterinarian can check joints, eyes and bloodwork at wellness visits. Indiana requires rabies vaccination from three months of age.

Living Space

An Aussie's small size works in a Mass Ave apartment or a Meridian-Kessler bungalow, provided exercise is reliable. Barking carries through shared walls, so training matters. A fenced yard helps because many dig or bolt after squirrels, and Indianapolis tethering rules mean a yard needs real fencing rather than a chain.

What it costs to own an Australian Terrier in Indianapolis

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*$475 to $1,250 per year$475 to $1,250
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$1,335 to $3,030

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

* Flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, and brushing and plucking of the harsh coat; Indianapolis has no general dog license fee.

Adopt an Australian Terrier in Indianapolis.

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

Rescues and Shelters in or near Indianapolis

Indianapolis adoptions come through a city shelter and nonprofit rescues, all listed here with the dogs they currently have posted. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Indy area with dogs available for adoption, worth asking whether an Australian Terrier is coming in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Indianapolis has no breed bans or breed-specific rules, and its dangerous-dog rules focus on behavior. You'll need permanent ID such as a microchip, current rabies vaccination, and free city registration if your dog isn't spayed or neutered. The city sets no fixed pet limit, though a landlord might. Rules in other Indiana towns can differ.

Yes, most Aussies manage Indianapolis winters with sensible limits. The harsh double coat helps, but with about 105 freezing nights a year and 25 inches of snow, keep walks short on the coldest days and wipe paws after salted sidewalks. City rules require dogs confined outside to come indoors at 20°F or below, so plan an indoor life.

Sometimes. IndyGo buses, including the Red and Purple Line rapid-transit routes, allow service animals and other pets in a carrying case. At 14 to 20 pounds, an Australian Terrier may fit a sturdy carrier, though the larger ones are a squeeze. Indianapolis has no subway, and current fares and carrier details are worth checking with IndyGo.

Eagle Creek Park has about 30 miles of trails, though dogs must stay leashed outside its bark park and the park charges a gate fee. Closer to the core, the Monon Trail, Fall Creek Greenway and Central Canal Towpath suit leashed walks. Fenced bark parks at Broad Ripple, Paul Ruster and Smock offer off-leash play with a pass.

Often, yes, for active adopters. Indy's greenways and bark parks suit a small, energetic terrier, and no breed rules apply. The tradeoffs are barking in close quarters, a strong urge to chase squirrels, and winter paw care. A household that's home often and enjoys training games tends to do best.

Plan on weekly brushing and occasional plucking of loose hair, which sits within the Other cost line of $475 to $1,250 a year alongside prevention and dental care. Winter salt means wiping paws and belly after walks, and humid summers make brushing and ear checks worthwhile. Avoid clipping, which can soften the harsh coat.

Don't count on it. Indiana's food code has long barred animals other than service animals from food establishments, and whether a patio welcomes dogs depends on the restaurant and health rules. Look for a posted policy before you go, and keep your Aussie leashed and settled if a patio does allow dogs.

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 $1,335 to $3,030 a year for an Aussie in Indianapolis. 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 at $475 to $1,250 a year. Indianapolis has no general dog license fee.

Explore Other Breeds in Indianapolis

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