Silky Terrier The Dog Breed

                 
Although a toy in size, the Silky Terrier has a true terrier personality - he is of sufficient substance to be able to hunt and kill domestic rodents. The general public occasionally confuses this breed with the Yorkie, but in reality, the Silky is larger and more closely related to the Australian Terrier. A friendly, joyful temperament and the lovely blue and tan coat make him an ideal companion.



Breed Standards

General Appearance
The Silky Terrier is a true "toy terrier". He is moderately low set, slightly longer than tall, of refined bone structure, but of sufficient substance to suggest the ability to hunt and kill domestic rodents. His coat is silky in texture, parted from the stop to the tail and presents a well groomed but not sculptured appearance. His inquisitive nature and joy of life make him an ideal companion.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size - Shoulder height from nine to ten inches. Deviation in either direction is undesirable. Proportion - The body is about one fifth longer than the dog's height at the withers. Substance - Lightly built with strong but rather fine bone.
Head
The head is strong, wedge-shaped, and moderately long. Expression piercingly keen, eyes small, dark, almond shaped with dark rims. Light eyes are a serious fault. Ears are small, V-shaped, set high and carried erect without any tendency to flare obliquely off the skull. Skull flat, and not too wide between the ears. The skull is slightly longer than the muzzle. Stop shallow. The nose is black. Teeth strong and well aligned, scissors bite. An undershot or overshot bite is a serious fault.
Neck, Topline and Body
The neck fits gracefully into sloping shoulders. It is medium long, fine, and to some degree crested. The topline is level. A topline showing a roach or dip is a serious fault. Chest medium wide and deep enough to extend down to the elbows. The body is moderately low set and about one fifth longer than the dog's height at the withers. The body is measured from the point of the shoulder (or forechest) to the rearmost projection of the upper thigh (or point of the buttocks). A body which is too short is a fault, as is a body which is too long. The tail is docked, set high and carried at twelve to two o'clock position.
Forequarters
Well laid back shoulders, together with proper angulation at the upper arm, set the forelegs nicely under the body. Forelegs are strong, straight and rather fine-boned. Feet small, catlike, round, compact. Pads are thick and springy while nails are strong and dark colored. White or flesh-colored nails are a fault. The feet point straight ahead, with no turning in or out. Dewclaws, if any, are removed.
Hindquarters
Thighs well muscled and strong, but not so developed as to appear heavy. Well angulated stifles with low hocks which are parallel when viewed from behind. Feet as in front.
Coat
Straight, single, glossy, silky in texture. On matured specimens the coat falls below and follows the body outline. It should not approach floor length. On the top of the head, the hair is so profuse as to form a topknot, but long hair on the face and ears is objectionable. The hair is parted on the head and down over the back to the root of the tail. The tail is well coated but devoid of plume. Legs should have short hair from the pastern and hock joints to the feet. The feet should not be obscured by the leg furnishings.
Color
Blue and tan. The blue may be silver blue, pigeon blue or slate blue, the tan deep and rich. The blue extends from the base of the skull to the tip of the tail, down the forelegs to the elbows, and half way down the outside of the thighs. On the tail the blue should be very dark. Tan appears on muzzle and cheeks, around the base of the ears, on the legs and feet and around the vent. The topknot should be silver or fawn which is lighter than the tan points.
Gait
Should be free, light-footed, lively and straightforward. Hindquarters should have strong propelling power. Toeing in or out is to be faulted


Silky Terrier Health Issues

The Silky Terrier's coat is highly susceptible to tangles and matting and requires daily brushing and combing. This breed requires a deep commitment from the owners. To keep the coat lustrous, regular shampooing is necessary. Using an Avocado and Oatmeal Shampoo will help alleviate the itchy, dry skin of this breed.
This particular breed should be taken to a groomer every three weeks and its teeth brushed while there. Terriers are known to have teeth and gum problems. Care should also be taken with grooming near the neck area and a harness leash should be used to protect the Silky Terrier from tracheal collapse.
Silky Terriers like to play with balls.  It is better to buy a plastic ball instead of a cotton ball as they tend to bite and chew the cotton out.  It is recommended to play catch with it at least once a day.  Also, if there are certain boundaries that you do not wish for it to enter, you have to let it know strictly, either by pointing a stern finger at it or scolding it with a slightly harsh but not loud tone.


Silky Terrier Breed Temperament

The breed standard describe the ideal Australian Silky Terrier temperament as keenly alert and active.  They love to be given chances to run and play, but must have a tightly fenced yard. They also enjoy brisk walks and playing ball. The Silky is able to do well in an apartment, although they are also an active indoor breed. It is important they are kept busy and social to discourage boredom. In a recent survey reported (on Dogs 101) of 91 small breed dogs (16 inches and under 22 lbs) the Silky Terrier was ranked in the top 20 in learning the quickest. The Silky Terrier is the best of both worlds temperament wise. They love to sit on your lap and do "toy dog" things but have a easy going more laid back Terrier personality ready for just about any activity.  The keenly alert air of the terrier is characteristic, with shyness or excessive nervousness to be faulted. The manner is quick, friendly, responsive.


Did You Know?

• The Silky developed around the turn of the 20th century in Australia.
• The Silky emerged from crossings of native Australian Terriers and imported Yorkshire Terriers.
• Conflicting standards for the Silky were drawn up separately in Sydney and Victoria between 1906 and 1909, but they were eventually condensed into one standard in 1926.
• Originally known as the Sydney Silky Terrier, changed in Australia to the Australian Silky Terrier in 1955.
• One of the first acts of the Australian National Kennel Club was to recommend a national standard for the breed to the AKC (considering registration of the Silky) so as to avoid any further discrepancies between the past standards.
• The first official meeting of the Sydney Silky Terrier Club of America was held in 1955, and later that year, the name was officially changed to Silky Terrier Club of America.

  
Silky Terrier Breed History

Developed around the turn of the century in Australia from crossings of native Australian Terriers and imported Yorkshire Terriers, the Silky Terrier encompasses many of the best qualities of both. The breed was formed when a number of Yorkshire Terriers from England were brought into the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales at the end of the 1800's. A few of these Yorkshire Terriers were bred to some Australian Terrier bitches in an attempt to improve coat color in the blue and tan Australian Terrier. The resulting litters produced individuals, some of which were exhibited as Australian Terriers, some as Yorkies and some as Silkys. The Silkys were then bred together until a recognized type was fixed.
In 1906 a standard was developed for the Silky in Sydney, New South Wales. In 1909 a separate standard for the new breed was drawn up in Victoria. There were some discrepancies between these two standards. A revised standard was published in 1926. In an effort to protect theYorkie, the Australian Terrier and the Silky from further crossings, the Kennel Control Council of Victoria introduced canine legislation in 1932.
The breed was originally called the Sydney Silky Terrier. In 1955 the official name for the breed in Australia became the Australian Silky Terrier.
In the United States, the first meeting of the Sydney Silky Terrier Club of America was held on March 25, 1955 and in July of that year the club's members voted to change the club name to the Silky Terrier Club of America.
The Silky Terrier is a true "toy terrier." His inquisitive nature and joy of life make him an ideal companion.

Silky Terrier Pics

       

   

Dogs-101 Video

AKC Registered Breeder

Silky Terrier
Parent Club: Silky Terrier Club of America, Inc.
Breeder Referral: Louise Rosewell; MST (303) 988-4361
Breeder Directory: See Parent Club website - Breeders List 

   

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