The dogs of Australia are divided, like the continent itself, into two distinct types. Australia’s expansive countryside is represented by a selection of doughty, dependable and tough working dogs, while their cities and urban areas are represented by a variety of hardy, spirited and adventurous small terriers.
There is also a third type of dog, not covered by this list as they are not officially recognised by any international kennel clubs. These are the landrace dogs – most famously the Dingo – and the imported breeds which have been developed overseas, such as the Australian Deerhound or Bull Arab.
Dog breeding standards are upheld in Australia by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC), established in 1958.
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Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler)
Size: Medium
Height: 43-51 cm (17-20 inches)
Weight: 15-22 kg (33-49 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Short double coat; in blue, blue mottled, blue speckled, red mottled or red speckled
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Group: Herding dog
Personality
Also known as a Queensland Heeler, Blue Heeler or Red Heeler, the Australian Cattle Dog is a smart, reliable, courageous working breed with a strong sense of duty and loyalty to their owners. Bred to work on their own initiative on Australia’s vast farms, Australian Cattle Dogs are noted for their independent streak, but they are intelligent enough to be easily trainable responding well to structured learning, the more challenging and intellectually stimulating the better. This is not a breed recommended for inactive owners or people with compromised mobility, as they have a huge appetite for physical activity and action. Should their owners be unable to provide it, the Australian Cattle Dog’s fertile imagination will surely find activities of their own to complete!
Australian Kelpie
Size: Medium
Height: 39-51 cm (15-20 inches)
Weight: 13-19 kg (29-42 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Short double coat; in almost any colour
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Group: Herding dog
Personality
An athletic, intelligent and energetic working dog, the Australian Kelpie is another herding breed with a seemingly ceaseless desire for action and work. This hardy dog is able to deal with more or less any circumstance life throws in its direction, provided there is always plenty of opportunity for activity. The Kelpie is a very clever breed, eager to please and capable of learning new skills but, combined with their relentless energy, this can make them a rather challenging pet for the unwary or inexperienced owner. However, if an owner can balance this breed’s needs for strenuous regular exercise, intellectual stimulation and meaningful duty with their family’s own lifestyle, they will be rewarded with an exceptional family pet: one who is intensely loyal, full of personality and fun, and good with both children and other animals.
Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
Size: Medium
Height: 46-51 cm (18-20 inches)
Weight: 16-23 kg (35-51 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Short and coarse; in red speckled or blue speckled
Life Expectancy: 13-15 years
Group: Herding dog
Personality
A loyal, dedicated and devoted working dog, the Stumpy Tail is another Australian dog who possesses all the classic traits of a herder. Intelligent, eager to please and hardworking, the Stumpy Tail is happiest when they are spending time with their owner and successfully completing their every command. Stumpy Tails are very alert and watchful dogs who are naturally reserved and cautious around strangers and, while they are rarely aggressive, they are courageous enough to stand their ground if they are challenged. Stumpies are an independent-minded breed and while they are good with children, they are far less keen on other animals. As will all herding breeds, the Stumpy requires a great deal of exercise, intellectual stimulation and activities to complete.
Australian Terrier
Size: Small
Height: 23-28 cm (9-11 inches)
Weight: 5.5-7 kg (12-15 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Medium length, harsh and shaggy double coat; in blue and tan or red and tan with a dark saddle
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
Personality
A smart, obedient and friendly little dog, the Australian Terrier is not as vocal as a lot of terriers their size but do retain their fun-loving, independent disposition and impish desire for mischief. Australian Terriers are full of spirit and have an intense loyalty to their human family, to the extent that they will frequently adapt their mood to match the prevailing atmosphere at home. Small and low-maintenance, the Australian Terrier is a very adaptable dog and is ideally suited to life in small houses or apartments. However, this does not change their frisky and energetic personality, so access to an area where your Australian Terrier can run and play remains essential.
Koolie
Size: Medium
Height: 40-60 cm (16-24 inches)
Weight: 13.5-25 kg (30-55 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Short to medium length; in solid or merle of almost any colour or pattern
Life Expectancy: 14-16 years
Group: Herding dog
Personality
Intelligent, eager to please and energetic, the Koolie is a fun-loving dog but one who nevertheless retains the devotion, tenacity and watchfulness of the working breed. Compared with Australia’s other herding dogs, the Koolie tends to be a little more laid back, leaving their desire to work hard at the door to become a quiet, easy-going and cheerful domestic pet in the home. However, this is not to diminish their abilities as a working animal, with Koolies frequently proving to be one of the most biddable, committed and hard-working herding dogs there is. They adapt very happily to family life, a patient, loyal and loving pet who is good with children: the biggest challenge in owning a Koolie is being able to keep up with their need for exercise and activity.
Miniature Fox Terrier
Size: Very small
Height: 24-30.5 cm (9½-12 inches)
Weight: 3.5-5.5 kg (8-12 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Short, dense and smooth; in white with black, brown and tan markings
Life Expectancy: 14-18 years
Personality
Originally developed to keep rats and mice under control, the tiny Miniature Fox Terrier is one of the very smallest of the working terrier breeds. Mini Foxies are smart, energetic, fun-loving and inquisitive dogs who are full of confidence, tenacity and courage. As with the majority of working terriers, Mini Foxies are now chiefly kept as companion animals only and they have adapted very happily to life in the home. They require little grooming and have a keen understanding of the hierarchical social structures established by their human friends. They are also very enthusiastic to play with children and other animals, although they must always be supervised around smaller creatures due to their strong prey drive.
Silky Terrier
Size: Very small
Height: 23-25.5 cm (9-10 inches)
Weight: 3.5-4.5 kg (8-10 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Medium to long, fine and glossy; in blue and tan or black and tan
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Group: Toy dog
Personality
The diminutive Silky Terrier bears a striking resemblance to the English Yorkshire Terrier and is also possessed of a similarly inquisitive, friendly and free-spirited nature. They are generally happy to spend time with strangers and children, provided that they treat them with consideration and respect. However, these self-assured little dogs will not accept any kind of rough treatment and will stand their ground with a surprising amount of pluck and courage for such a small animal. This can prove particularly problematic around other dogs and pets, meaning that Silky Terriers are best kept under careful supervision in such circumstances. This said, a well-socialised Silky Terrier does make for an excellent family pet: quick to learn, funny, adventurous and devoted.
Tenterfield Terrier
Size: Very small
Height: 25-30 cm (10-12 inches)
Weight: 4-4.5 kg (9-10 lbs)
Coat and Colour: Short and smooth; in white with tan, black or olive markings
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Personality
The Tenterfield is a typical terrier: bright, cheerful, confident and loyal dogs full of loyalty, independence and fearlessness. Tenterfield Terriers are an alert, lively breed who form strong bonds with their owner and are very eager to learn new tricks and skills in order to impress them. They are an active and spirited terrier with a great affection for playing with children, either at home or in the back garden. Tenterfields make excellent family pets, versatile and hardy enough to deal with more or less any set of circumstances. They are, however, so bold as to occasionally create problems for themselves, their high prey drive potentially bringing them into combat with the poisonous snakes or spiders of their homeland. Therefore, keeping your Tenterfield Terrier as safely occupied with other activities as possible is for the benefit of everyone concerned!