Australian Terrier.

Australian Terrier. Australian Terrier, breed of dog, dating to the late 1860s, and probably the result of a mixture of several short-legged sporting terrier breeds. The dog, originally used to guard mines and herd sheep, is a companionable house pet and useful small-game hunter. Sturdy and long-lived, it has a good sense of smell and keen eyesight. A throat ruff and topknot protect it from snakes and vermin. Standing about 25 cm (about 10 in) and weighing only about 5 to 6 kg (about 12 to 14 lb), it is one of the smallest working terriers but is endowed with courage and intelligence. The rough coat is suited for various weather conditions; the topknot is finer and lighter in color than the body coat. The dog's colors range from blue-black to silver-black with tan, sandy, or clear red markings. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.