THE AUSTRALIAN TERRIER AS A PERFORMANCE DOG by HEATHER RIFE, DVM
I n order to fully appreciate the abili- ties of the performance Australian Terrier (AT), one must consider the history and development of the breed which began when farmers in the outback needed a dog to match the di ffi cult condi- tions of the Australian environment. Hot weather combined with dry barren condi- tions required a tough small dog with ver- satility—one able to do many jobs. From the farmers perspective, the more tasks that a dog could perform, the more valu- able the dog. Clearing the farms of disease carrying rodents, as well as removing other
animals competing for resources was a necessary requirement , and one at which the AT excelled. Warning of intruders and dispatching larger predators was also a necessary requirement. However, of para- mount importance was the need to clear the farms of venomous snakes. In order to achieve this, the dog needed to be fast, agile, fearless, and self-confident and pos- sess the ability to work within a pack to achieve a common goal. Without coop- eration and teamwork, the result could be fatal. Th eir value in killing snakes was so great that children were taught to send the
dogs into the bush after their toys instead of reaching into the shade where snakes were likely to be. Schoolteachers also were known to have several Aussies. Th e dogs were sent into the schoolhouse to clear the room of snakes and rodents. Th is ability to bond closely with his humans, as well as his small size and weather resistant coat led to these little dogs being allowed into the house to sleep on the hearth at night. Today we find in the Australian Terrier an agile, quick, intelligent self-confident dog with a great desire to work with his humans to achieve a common goal.
206 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A PRIL 2015
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