A small, sturdy, low-set working terrier developed in Australia to control rodents and snakes and to serve as a watchdog. Spirited and affectionate, with a hard, weather-resistant coat.
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Educational only. KinStation content is reviewed by licensed veterinarians but cannot replace an in-person exam. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or board-certified specialist for diagnosis, treatment, or any decision affecting your pet's health.
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From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
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Minimum
Apartment or small home with daily walks
Apartment + 2× daily 30-min walks
A small dog adapts well to apartment living with two structured walks a day plus indoor enrichment. Crate-train for alone-time and give supervised free-roam of the household when settled.
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Recommended
Home with secure yard + daily routine
House + fenced yard + 45 min daily exercise
A house with a securely fenced yard, two structured walks per day, and indoor enrichment (chews, training, puzzle feeders). Most small breeds settle well as household pets when this baseline is met.
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Ideal
Household companion with varied enrichment
House + fenced yard + sport or hobby
A household companion that joins family activities, has a secure yard, and engages in a hobby suited to the breed — earthdog, scent games, trick training, mini-agility. Mental work matters as much as the walks.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
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Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
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Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Adapts well to apartments or houses thanks to its compact size, but is active and needs daily walks plus play. A securely fenced yard suits its love of digging and exploring. Moderate daily exercise (30-60 min) plus mental enrichment keeps it content. Curious and alert, it makes a good small watchdog.
Diet
Standard small-breed complete diet; watch portions as the breed can gain weight if overfed. Small mouth benefits from dental-supportive feeding and chews. No notable breed-specific dietary disease, but maintain lean body condition to protect the patellae and joints.
Behavior & temperament
Confident, plucky, and affectionate with family; one of the more even-tempered terriers but still bold and independent. Trainable with consistent, reward-based methods; can be stubborn and has a strong prey drive toward small animals. Generally good with considerate children and can live with other dogs; supervise around small pets (rodents, etc.) given its ratting heritage.
Health
Generally hardy. Predispositions include patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, and diabetes mellitus (the breed is over-represented). Allergic/atopic skin disease and some inherited eye conditions are reported. Recommended screening: patella evaluation, eye exam, and monitoring for diabetes signs (increased thirst/urination, weight loss).
Tips, DIY & hacks
Harsh, straight double coat is low-shedding and needs weekly brushing; hand-stripping maintains coat texture for show, while pet coats can be tidied with minimal trimming. Avoid over-bathing, which softens the protective coat. Provide outlets for digging and chasing. Early socialization curbs reactivity to other dogs.
