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Australian Terrier Dogs for Adoption in Oklahoma City, OK

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

Australian Terriers suit OKC's walkable older neighborhoods, as long as someone is home to keep them busy. At 14 to 20 pounds, an Aussie fits a Mesta Park Craftsman house or a Deep Deuce apartment, and the leashed loop around Lake Hefner gives a curious terrier plenty to sniff. They're alert, so expect announcements about every delivery driver. They also love chasing small animals, so a fenced yard or a short leash is worth it.

30 Australian Terriers available in Oklahoma City and nationwide

Give an Australian Terrier a home

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

Australian Terriers Available for Adoption Near Oklahoma City

About the Australian Terrier breed

Australian settlers in the 1800s crossed rough-coated British terriers to produce a compact, hardy dog that could kill rats and snakes, guard the homestead and keep up on long working days. It was the first native Australian breed recognized, and the AKC accepted it in 1960. Aussies stand 10 to 11 inches tall and are longer than they are tall, with erect ears, a harsh blue-and-tan, sandy or red coat and a soft silky topknot.

Many are confident, alert and affectionate, with more grit than their size suggests. They bond closely with their people, bark at anything unusual and chase small animals with conviction. That suits adopters who enjoy a trainable companion and can offer daily activity, secure fencing or leash walks, and patient, game-like training. Coat care is light: weekly brushing and occasional plucking.

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 Oklahoma City

Having an Australian Terrier in OKC

An Aussie brings working-terrier drive in a 14-to-20-pound body. In OKC, the questions that matter most are barking in shared buildings, steady daily activity, fencing or leash habits, and a few breed health concerns worth knowing before adopting.

Temperament

Australian Terriers tend to be self-assured, curious and affectionate with family. Many bark at visitors and unfamiliar noises, and some are bossy with other dogs. Small pets can set off their ratting instincts. In an OKC loft or duplex, early socialization and reward-based training help keep greetings polite, though every dog differs.

Exercise Needs

Plan on daily walks plus play that lets an Aussie chase, dig or solve puzzles. OKC's leashed trails, including the 9.8-mile Bert Cooper loop at Lake Hefner, suit longer outings, and fenced dog parks like the one at Scissortail Park give room to run. Scent games and puzzle toys cover rainy days.

Health Considerations

Aussies are generally sturdy, but luxating patellas, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, diabetes, allergies, ear infections and some eye conditions are documented in the breed. Keeping a healthy weight and noticing changes in thirst, appetite or mobility helps. A veterinarian can check knees and hips at a first visit, and year-round parasite prevention matters.

Living Space

An Aussie fits an OKC apartment or a house, provided exercise and mental activity are reliable. Barking carries through shared walls, so training matters. In a house, a securely fenced yard helps, since many dig or bolt after small animals. They're indoor companions that want to live alongside their people.

What it costs to own an Australian Terrier in Oklahoma City

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 yearly dental cleaning, toys and bedding, and brushing, plucking and tidying of the harsh coat.

Adopt an Australian Terrier in Oklahoma City.

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

Rescues and Shelters in or near Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City's city shelter and local rescues list adoptable dogs, and the pets below change as new animals arrive. Here are the rescues & shelters in the OKC area with dogs available for adoption, worth asking whether an Australian Terrier is coming in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can own an Australian Terrier in OKC, and Oklahoma law prohibits cities from banning breeds. Local rules apply to every dog: rabies vaccination by four months with the tag worn at all times, a leash or secure confinement, and no continuous barking. Households may keep up to four dogs and four cats over six months old.

Mostly yes, with planning for both extremes. OKC summers average 91°F and about 73 days a year reach 90°F, so walk early and keep water handy. Winter brings roughly 72 freezing nights and occasional ice storms, and a small Aussie belongs indoors; dogs can't be left outside alone more than 30 minutes below 32°F.

Small Aussies can run off leash at Scissortail Park's fenced dog park downtown, Myriad Botanical Gardens' enclosed dog park, Midtown Mutts at Harvey and NW 10th, or members-only PAW Park near Lake Hefner. Everywhere else, including the 9.8-mile Bert Cooper loop at Lake Hefner, dogs must stay leashed, and pets can't swim in city lakes.

An Australian Terrier fits OKC well if you can offer daily walks, mental games and training around barking. Walkable areas like the Plaza District or Paseo suit it, and a fenced yard helps with digging and chasing. It's a weaker match for people gone long hours, or for homes with small pets such as hamsters.

Service animals can ride EMBARK buses and the OKC Streetcar, but emotional support animals aren't classed as service animals. Check EMBARK's current rules before bringing a pet in a carrier. Since an Aussie weighs only 14 to 20 pounds, carrier travel is physically realistic, so practice calm carrier time at home first.

Sometimes on patios, never indoors. Oklahoma health rules let restaurants admit dogs to outdoor dining areas that meet certain conditions, including a separate outdoor entrance, and it's each restaurant's choice. Keep your Aussie leashed, bring a mat, and expect some barking at passersby; a chew toy helps it settle.

Less than many people expect. The harsh coat needs weekly brushing plus occasional plucking or tidying, not regular clipping, which softens the texture. In OKC, brush out burrs after fall and spring walks and check ears after wet weather. Grooming fits within the roughly $475 to $1,250 yearly in other costs.

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 OKC. 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 about $475 to $1,250 a year in other costs. OKC has no pet license fee.

Explore Other Breeds in Oklahoma City

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