THE GRAND LITTLE DOG By Leslie Hoy and Julie M. Seaton I magine yourself at a dog show, watching as the Terrier group enters the ring. A little prick- eared dog—one of the smallest of the group and with a lively expression—catches your eye. Origins & History Like many breeds, the Aussie’s exact origins are somewhat obscure. It is known that early British settlers to Tasmania, a harsh and often unfriendly country, needed fearless dogs to control rodents and snakes, guard the gold mines, and look after the flocks on the large sheep stations, as well as be companion dogs for them and their families. A native dog of Australia, the Rough-Coated Terrier, is believed to have been cross-bred with the settlers’ dogs, which included small Terri- ers that came along from various parts of Great Britain. What most breed histori- ans do seem to agree upon is that Dandie Dinmont, Skye, and Black and Tan Terri- ers are all part of the Australian Terrier’s makeup. From this combination, we get the distinctive Aussie “topknot,” the harsh weather-proof coat, and the colors of sandy, red, and blue/tan. Th eir heritage also gives What’s that? It’s not a Cairn, too big for a Norwich... A glance at the catalog tells you it’s an Australian Terrier, a breed you may never have heard of, and a breed that’s a great little secret!
“A native dog of Australia, the Rough- Coated Terrier, is believed to have been cross-bred with the settlers’ dogs, WHICH INCLUDED SMALL TERRIERS THAT CAME ALONG FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF GREAT BRITAIN.”
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