Australian Silky TerrierCharacteristics, history, training and care

The breed's main ancestors are the Australian Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. In the 1820–1830 period, a rough-coated, bluish terrier bitch bred in Tasmania was taken to England and mated with a Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

An Englishman, Macarthur Little, bought puppies from that litter and tried to produce a soft, silky coat. He later moved to Sydney and continued breeding with Australian Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers. The dogs then spread all over Australia.

How the breed developed

• 1820–1830 – A terrier bitch from Tasmania is mated in England with a Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
• 1906–1909 – Separate, differing breed standards appear in Sydney and in Victoria.
• 1926 – The standards are merged into one.
• 1955 – In Australia, the name “Sydney Silky Terrier” is changed to “Australian Silky Terrier”.
• 3 October 1962 – The FCI recognises the breed.
• 8 October 2012 – The current FCI standard is published.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. It is based on the ratings the American Kennel Club gives the breed and on the FCI standard.

It is a small, compact, slightly long dog: the body is about one fifth longer than it is tall. Its bones are fine, but strong enough for it to catch rodents.

General appearance

The head is wedge-shaped, with small, oval, very dark eyes. The small, V-shaped ears stand erect. On the crown the hair forms a topknot, and along the back the coat is parted from head to tail.

All shades of blue and tan are accepted. The blue covers the body from the back of the neck to the tip of the tail, and the tan appears on the face, at the base of the ears and on the legs. Puppies may be black; the blue colour must develop by 18 months.

The Silky Terrier is intelligent and eager to learn. The AKC gives it a good score for trainability. It is more terrier than lapdog: brave, curious and with a hunting instinct.

Because it is so cute, owners are tempted to overlook its mischief. Clear rules that the whole family sticks to help it a lot.

Tips for effective training

• Set rules from the start. And stick to them, even when it gives you pleading looks.
• Use play. Fetch and toys are excellent rewards.
• Always walk it on the lead. It has a strong hunting instinct.
• Try dog sports. It does very well at agility.

The AKC says the Silky Terrier needs more exercise than most small dogs. It does not like being ignored and prefers play and walks with its family.

Tips for a balanced life

• It adapts to any home, as long as it gets attention and exercise.
• Do not leave it alone for many hours.
• It barks fairly often to raise the alarm; teach it a “quiet” command.

Coat and skin care

The silky coat should be brushed at least twice a week, with a pin brush or a soft brush. A metal comb works out the tangles. Bath it every 4–6 weeks with a mild dog shampoo. It sheds little.

Common health problems

The AKC says the Silky Terrier is generally a healthy breed. Responsible breeders test their dogs for two problems:

Other care

• Trim the nails once a month.
• Brush its teeth often, with dog toothpaste.
• Check the ears regularly for signs of infection.

Choose a good-quality food suited to its age and, ideally, made for small breeds. Table scraps should be given rarely or not at all, especially cooked bones and fatty food.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Give it its food in two meals a day.
• Training treats count towards the daily portion.
• A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Small breeds become adults faster than large ones, usually at around one year.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In small breeds, a litter has 3–4 puppies on average. The puppies are very small and fragile in the first weeks, so they must be kept warm and handled with care. Socialisation starts early: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• The coat is like human hair. The AKC says its coat looks and behaves almost like human hair.
• It is born black. Puppies may be black, and the blue develops by 18 months.
• It sits “in the middle”. It is bigger than a Yorkshire Terrier and smaller than an Australian Terrier.
• It had three standards. Between 1906 and 1909, Sydney and Victoria had different standards, which were only merged in 1926.
• It caught snakes too. Wikipedia notes that it was used to catch rodents and snakes.

What is the difference between the Silky Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier?

The Silky Terrier is bigger and has a different head and ears. The Yorkshire Terrier was one of its ancestors.

How big does it get?

It stands 23–26 cm at the withers and weighs about 4.5 kg.

Does it shed a lot?

No, it sheds little, but the coat must be brushed at least twice a week.

How long does it live?

Its life expectancy is 13–15 years.

Can it live in an apartment?

Yes, if it gets daily exercise and is not left alone for long.