THE AUSTRALIAN TERRIER CLUB OF AMERICA BREED STANDARD by SUE BACHMAN
T he Australian Terrier Club of America has had three differ- ent breed standards in the 50 years of its existence. The first was approved September 13, 1960, the second, a revision of the first, was approved October 13, 1970 and the last, a revision of the second, was approved August 9, 1988. The breed standard changes made in each revision reflected further clarification, more streamlined language and format differences. Clear- ly the current standard is a significant improvement over the first two because it gives us a fine description to be used for evaluating how closely our dogs meet the standard. Included, follow- ing this article, are all three breed standards. I have made some com- parisons among the standards which I think are interesting. You will make your own comparisons as you review the standards. An example of the revisions made is illustrated by the language and content in the standard for the tail and dew- claws. The 1960 standard said, “Tail set on high and carried erect but not too gay. Remember tail should be docked within a few days after birth aorund the tan spot located under the tail. With sandy-reds there is a slight difference of color helpful in indicating the place to cut. Leave approximately a generous 2 ⁄ 5 . At the same time dewclaws should be removed from the front and back legs. For these procedures it is gener- ally advisable to use the services of a veterinarian.” The 1970 standard said, “Tail set on high and carried erect but not too gay; docked leaving two fifths.” There is no mention made regarding the dewclaws. The 1988 standard said, “Tail-Set on high and carried erect at a twelve to one o-clock position, docked in balance with the overall dog leaving slightly less than one half, a good hand-hold when mature.” In regards to dew claws, they are to be removed.
Another change in the standard is the wonderful detail added with regard to the dog’s gait. The first two standards simply said, “Straight and true; spright- ly, indicating spirit and assurance.” The most recent standard tells us what to look for saying, “As seen from the front and from the rear, the legs are straight from the shoulder and hip joints to the pads and move in planes parallel to the centerline of travel. The rear legs move in the same planes as the front legs. As the dog moves at a faster trot, the front and rear legs and feet may tend to con- verge toward the centerline of travel, but the legs remain straight even as they flex or extend. Viewed from the side, the legs move in a ground-cover- ing stride. The rear feet should meet the ground in the same prints as left by the front feet, with no gap between them. Topline remains firm and level, without bounce.” How much more helpful this is. Australian Terrier standard regarding coat color was changed in each revision. The 1960 standard discouraged red or sandy coat color saying, “Also sandy col- or and clear red are permissible but not desirable, other things being equal, as the blue and tan.” Subsequent revisions treated all acceptable colors equally. It may surprise you to know that the current breed standard calls for a scis- sors bite, but our previous standards stated that a level bite was acceptable. Through the years there has been much conversation about the size of the Australian Terrier. The weight ref- erence was dropped in the most recent breed standard. The elimination of the weight reference was appropriate in order to maintain substance. The height standard was changed from about 10 inches to 10 to 11 inches at the withers. Since I became an ATCA member in the late 80s I’ve seen swings in size varying from quite small to quite large. In my experience the breed size has always returned to a moderately sized dog. I recommend that owners and breed- ers also read the Australian Terrier
Illustrated Clarification of The Stan- dard . It is very helpful to see the illus- trations for comparison with your own dogs. The better we understand our breed standard, the better we breed. I offer my sincere thanks to the Club members who developed and wrote our three breed standards. STANDARD FOR THE AUSTRALIAN TERRIER, 1960 General Appearance The Australian Terrer is a small, sturdy, rough-coated Terrier of spirited action and self assured manner. Head Long, flat-skulled, and full between the eyes, with the stop moderate. The muzzle is no longer than the distance from the eyes to the occiput. Jaws long and powerful, teeth of good size meet- ing in a scissors bite, although a level bite is acceptable. Nose black. Ears set high on the skull and well apart. They are small and pricked (carried erect), the leather either pointed or slightly rounded and free from long hairs. Eyes small, dark and keen in expression; not prominent. Light colored and protrud- ing are faulty. Neck Inclined to be long and tapering into sloping shoulders; well furnished with hair which forms a protective ruff. Body Low-set and slightly longer from the withers to the root of the tail than from the withers to the ground. Chest medium wide, and deep, with ribs well sprung but not round. Topline level. Tail set on high and carried erect but not too gay. Remember tail should be docked within a few days after birth about at the tan spot located under tail. With sandy-reds there is a slight dif- ference of color helpful in indicating the place to cut. Leave approximately a generous 2 ⁄ 5 . At the same time dew- claws should be removed from front and back lets. For these procedures, it is generally advisable to use the services
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J ULY 2017 • 235
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