Appearance of the West Australian Terrier
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| The West Australian Terrier is a small, compact dog whose body is longer than its legs. They have long, wiry coats of various colors, including white, white and blue, white and tan, blue and tan, white and red, red or sable. This dog may inherit the thick double coat of its Aussie Terrier parents, or the fine undercoat of the Westie. Some dogs may have a longer coat around the neck and chest, rather like a lion's mane, a trait inherited from the Aussie. The eyes are dark, round or oval. The ears are small and pointed, and may be fringed with longer hair. Its jaw is strong and its teeth meet in a scissor bite. Paws are round with thick pads and dark nails. These dogs have a high set tail that they hold above their body, usually straight but sometimes curving over their back. |
Temperament of the West Australian Terrier
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| The West Australian Terrier is a proud, confident and playful dog. These dogs are alert and active, always ready to take part in any activity they can find. They need social interaction and can become anxious if left alone for too long. They are intelligent dogs, so it's important to make sure they get plenty of exercise. If left to their own devices, they can become destructive and bark. Australian Terriers are known to love digging, so it's likely that your West Australian Terrier will inherit this characteristic. Keeping your dog active and busy will prevent him from becoming mischievous. West Australian Terriers are friendly and generally get on well with other dogs, although males prefer to be the alpha and can become competitive with other male dogs. Good socialization of the puppy from birth will alleviate this type of problem. As their parents were bred for hunting, these dogs have a strong urge to hunt. They can be taught to get along with cats, but they are not good companions for other small animals. They are excellent companions for children, who will appreciate their playful energy. Just make sure children learn to be gentle with these dogs, as their small size makes them delicate when it comes to roughhousing. West Australian Terriers are intelligent and therefore easy to train. In fact, they learn so quickly that you may find yourself teaching them things by accident. Be sure to set clear, consistent limits with your dog to avoid perpetuating bad habits. These dogs like to think for themselves, so training is most effective when rewards are used. These dogs make good watchdogs, barking at anything unfamiliar. However, they will quickly relax once they realize there is no imminent threat. |
Needs and activities of the West Australian Terrier
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| The West Australian Terrier is an active breed that needs daily walks to prevent it from becoming mischievous and noisy in your home. Around 45 minutes a day should be enough. These dogs are happy to walk on a leash or run in a safe, fenced-in area. It's not a good idea to put your West Australian Terrier outside and leave him to his own devices, as he has a tendency to dig holes and even find escape routes. They are independent, but don't like to be left alone for long periods. They adapt well to all living environments, provided they get enough exercise. They can live comfortably in any climate. Because they are so intelligent, these dogs do well in obedience and agility trials and make fantastic earth dogs. |
Maintenance of the West Australian Terrier
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| Despite their long coats, West Australian Terriers are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. They shed very little, but it's best to brush them weekly to prevent their long coats from matting. If they have long hair around the eyes and ears, it may need trimming to keep them neat and tidy. They don't tend to smell bad, so wash them only if necessary. Australian Terriers' coats can become dull if bathed too frequently, and the same is true of the West Australian Terrier. Fortunately, it's usually easy to brush away any dirt or debris that clings to their coats. Be sure to check your dog's ears about once a week for any signs of inflammation, as their long hair can trap unwanted dirt and moisture inside. Toenails should be trimmed monthly to keep them at a reasonable length, and weekly brushing of teeth will prevent bad breath and tartar build-up. |
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