Silky Terriers

Appearance:

Body: Small, longer than it is high with a level topline, deep, moderately wide chest, well-sprung ribs, and well laid back shoulders.

Coat: Straight, fine, silky, long and glossy, short on the ears. No undercoat.

Color: Blue and tan.

Ears: Small, v-shaped, high set, and pricked.

Eyes: Small, round, dark; expressively keen.

Feet: Small, round, compact, and cat-like with dense, springy pads and strong, dark nails.

Head: Moderately long, and wedge-shaped with a flat skull, slight stop, muzzle shorter than the skull, and black nose.

Legs: Forelegs are straight, fine-boned, and well set under the body. Hindquarters are well developed, hocks well let down.

Neck: Moderately long and thin.

Size:
Weight: 8 - 11 pounds
Height: 9 - 10 inches

Tail: Docked, high set, and carried erect.

Behavior

Recommended for novice dog handlers
Can be aggressive with dogs of the same sexual gender
Can be barkers, love to dig, and are capable of climbing fences

A bossy, short-legged dog, the Silky Terrier will keep you entertained with his clever antics and his happy-go-lucky personality. He is always busy and on the go thinking up things to do and games to play, even if it means playing them by himself.

AKC Standard says, "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."

The Silky Terrier is generally good with cats and other dogs, but can be aggressive towards dogs of the same sexual gender and will view other smaller animals, such as rabbits, squirrels, and birds, as prey.

Though he is a companion dog, his terrier instincts are true. He has a strong drive to chase prey, will bark, with his high pitched voice, to warn you of intruders, and will tire you out with his endless energy. He should be kept on a leash or in a securely fenced in yard to prevent him from unexpectedly chasing prey into traffic or other harmful situations.

Early obedience training and continued socialization will help develop a well balanced adult Silky. He is naturally weary of strangers and will bark incessantly at anyone who arrives at your home. Introducing him to different people and different situations early on will help build his trust and character.

Breed Type

AKC Group: Toy Group

Bred as companion and family pet but has been used for killing rats and snakes in Australia.

Care and Grooming

Exercise: Moderate daily exercise. A nice walk around the block and some playtime will keep him happy.

Grooming: Brush and/or comb three to four times weekly. Bath three to four times yearly; thoroughly dry, including ears, after bathing.

Health

Life Expectancy: 14 Years

Possible Problems:
Allergies
Legg-Perthes - deterioration of the femur (thigh bone)
Luxating Patella - dislocation of the knee cap

Country of Origin

Australia - 1900s

First brought to the United States by American Servicemen during World War II.