The British Royal Navy, and the Merchant Navy, sailed back and forth from UK to the British colony Australia carrying provisions for the crew and for the colonies. The cargo attracted mice and rats. Small dogs were taken on board from various British ports to destroy vermin on the ships. Scottish terriers and Yorkshire terriers spring to mind. The dogs weren't fed - they caught their own food and ate rats. Some of the little terriers were taken to Australia to work on the farms as rat-catchers.

As the dogs started to inter-breed on the farms, those best adapted to the climate and bush of the Australian Outback survived and created a unique Australian terrier.  They deal well with the heat, and are excellent snake hunters. They are people friendly and like to live in the house and be close to humans. Strict house rules need to be laid down while the dog is a puppy.

The little Aussies make alert watchdogs and will bark to raise the alarm. They may also chase other dogs or cats away from their territory, so do make sure you have a dog-proof fence before getting a puppy.

Terriers enjoy hunting for small animals and will try to dig up moles, or just dig for the love of it.