Australian Silky Terrier: A Lively Dog with an Elegant Appearance
Australian Silky Terrier: A Lively Dog with an Elegant Appearance
Written by Silvia Capelli
November 12, 2023
The Australian Silky Terrier is a small-sized dog, very similar to the Yorkshire Terrier but slightly larger.
In Italy, it's less known, unlike the Yorkshire Terrier, which is among the most common companion dog breeds.
The two breeds look very alike, but there are various differences. If you like small dogs with long, silky coats, keep reading to discover the fascinating and adorable Australian Silky Terrier.
History of the Australian Silky Terrier Breed
The Australian Silky Terrier, as its name clearly suggests, originated in Australia, and was developed from crossing the Yorkshire Terrier with another national beauty, the Australian Terrier.
In turn, the Australian Terrier descended from a number of breeds from Great Britain, namely the Black and Tan Terrier, Irish Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Skye Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, and probably a native Tasmanian breed called the Broken Coated Terrier.
The Australian Silky Terrier emerged towards the end of the 1800s. It's unclear whether it was to create a new breed or simply because the silkiest-coated pups among Australian Terriers were selected. Initially, they were called Sydney Silkies.
Originally, they were used for hunting rats or small farm rodents, but their attractive appearance soon made them companion dogs.
The first Australian Silky Terriers were imported to the United States in 1950, where they were not well received in dog shows.
Their striking resemblance to the Yorkshire Terrier, from which they mainly differed in size, meant that the breed was not given much importance.
The first Silky Terrier Club in America was established by a couple of breed enthusiasts, Merle and Peggy Smith, who both worked for Pan Am.
They saw one in San Francisco and asked the owner to procure a specimen for them as well.
From then on, the journey has been uphill, and the Silky Terrier has finally been recognized as a distinct breed.
The breed standards were set by the American Kennel Club in 1958 and by the Canadian Kennel Club shortly after.
The Australian Silky Terrier is a dog with a truly charming character, complementing its noble appearance.
It is known for its intelligence, liveliness, cheerfulness, and curiosity. These traits make it an ideal companion for many people, including those new to the world of dogs.
This breed is cheerful and brings joy to the lives of its owners. Its intelligence also makes it easy to train.
The Australian Silky Terrier is extremely loyal to its owner. It forms an emotional attachment to its family and wants to be involved in everything the human members do.
It is an attentive and affectionate dog that loves being around people and does not tolerate solitude well.
The Australian Silky Terrier is an ideal companion for families, including those with children. It is very energetic and playful, making it perfect for kids.
It doesn’t tire easily, so children can have fun with it without exhausting it. Being slightly larger than its Yorkshire cousin makes it more suitable for younger children.
Although it adapts well to indoor life, it needs daily exercise to avoid weight issues.
It is a working dog and enjoys physical activities. Long walks or outdoor play sessions are great for keeping it in shape.
This breed can become dominant if not properly trained. It's important to start training and socializing from an early age.
This will help the dog behave well in the presence of people and other animals, as it's not always friendly with strangers.
The Australian Silky Terrier may view cats and other small pets as prey due to its hunting instinct, and as a result, might not get along with them.
Early socialization can help mitigate this behavior.
The Silky Terrier is not known for having a particular tendency to escape.
Regarding biting tendencies, Terriers in general, including the Australian Silky Terrier, can be territorial and protective of their owners and their homes.
Moreover, as these small Australian Terriers were originally used for rat hunting, just like the Yorkshire, they can have a certain temperament, and occasionally, a warning bite might occur.
Therefore, it is important to socialize the Silky Terrier from a young age and provide adequate training to prevent aggressive and unwanted behaviors.
Characteristics of the Australian Silky Terrier
NB: These are the breed standards set by FCI and ENCI, and thus valid for Europe. Different standards for size, color, or coat may be accepted by AKC and NKC. For more information, check the standards of the country of interest.
The photos on this site may represent both FCI and AKC or NKC standards.
ENCI F.C.I Classification
Group 3 Terrier
Section 4 Companion Terriers (short-legged)
Without working trial
Dimensions
There is only one size:
Height at the withers: 23-26 cm, weight: 3-6 kg
Type of Hair and Coat
The coat is flat, fine, and shiny, very silky. Its length should not hinder the dog's movement. The front and hind limbs are free of long hair.
Colors
All shades of blue and tan are accepted, the more intense the color, the better. The blue on the tail must be very dark.
The topknot should preferably be silver-blue or tan. The blue and tan distribution is as follows:
Tan around the base of the ears, on the muzzle, and on the sides of the cheeks; blue from the base of the skull to the tip of the tail, extending down the front limbs to near the carpus and down the thighs to the hock.
The tan extends to the knees toward the carpus and from the hock to the toes. Additionally, there should be tan around the anus. The blue color of the body should be free from tan or smut. The tans should be clear.
Black color is allowed in puppies, but blue should be present by the age of 18 months.
Head
The skull is flat, not full, and covered with a soft topknot. The nose is black, the jaw closes in a scissor bite, and the eyes are small, almond-shaped, dark brown, well-spaced, and not protruding.
Body
Medium length, elegant, and slightly arched, coming out well from the shoulders.
Tail
If docked, it is set high, carried erect but not too gayly, and without fringes.
Undocked: The first three vertebrae are carried erect or slightly curved but not over the back. It should not be curled and must not have fringes.
For more details on the appearance of the Silky Terrier, you can read the complete profile with the breed standards set by ENCI.
Lifespan of an Australian Silky Terrier
Like all terriers, this Australian dog has a good lifespan, averaging a healthy 13-15 years.
Diseases of the Breed
This breed is naturally healthy and robust, but it can suffer from hereditary diseases common to these types of dogs or from normal dog diseases.
Among the most frequent pathologies of the Australian Silky Terrier, we find:
Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease: This disease affects the dog's hip, causing pain and lameness. It may require surgical intervention.
Shaker Dog Syndrome: This syndrome causes uncontrollable tremors and can affect small dogs like the Australian Silky Terrier.
Pancreatitis: This condition affects the pancreas and can cause digestive issues, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Hip Dysplasia: A hereditary condition where the hip develops abnormally, leading to joint problems and pain.
Eye Problems: This breed is at risk of developing ocular diseases such as cataracts and retinal detachment.
Diabetes: Obesity can increase the risk of diabetes in this breed, leading to blood sugar problems.
Thyroid Disorders: Thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism, can occur in some individuals.
Congenital Deafness: Congenital deafness is a condition where a dog is born deaf. It can be caused by genetic or hereditary factors and can affect some breeds more than others.
Food and Fur Allergies: Australian Silky Terriers can develop food allergies or skin allergies due to factors such as specific ingredients in their diet or environmental allergens like pollen.
Ligament Rupture: Ligament rupture, particularly of the anterior cruciate ligament, is a common injury in Australian Silky Terriers. This can cause acute pain and lameness.
Patellar Luxation: This is a condition where the dog's kneecap (patella) dislocates from its normal position. It can cause pain and lameness.
Tracheal Collapse: Tracheal collapse is a condition where the walls of the trachea (windpipe) become less rigid and can collapse during breathing. This can cause coughing, breathing difficulties, and respiratory problems.
Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a condition where the dog can have recurring seizures. It can be managed with antiepileptic drugs but requires careful veterinary management.
Degenerative Myelopathy: A progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the spinal cord of dogs, including Silky Terriers. This condition causes progressive loss of motor function and weakness in the hind legs, leading to paralysis. It's due to a genetic mutation, and as this study explains, it's frequent in Silky Terriers.
Feeding an Australian Silky Terrier
Since the Australian Silky Terrier is a small-sized dog, excessive or uncontrolled feeding could cause weight gain and consequently, related diseases.
Therefore, a diet appropriate for the dog's age, weight range, and health status should be provided.
Feeding a Silky Terrier Puppy
Weaning of the Australian Silky Terrier puppy starts around 4 weeks of age. From the first month of life, you can start introducing specific puppy food or finely ground meat, starting with one meal a day in combination with mother's milk.
Between the first and second month, meals based on solid food should be given about 3/4 times a day, and three from the second month of life.
Feeding an Adult Australian Silky Terrier
As a small breed dog, it is preferable to provide two meals a day to prevent the dog from having an empty stomach for too many hours in a day.
Meals must be balanced and contain the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals.
Dry Dog Food (Kibble)
Of course, the most practical choice is high-quality dry food, provided you adhere to the recommended doses for weight and age. And choose one designed for small breed dogs with the right characteristics for small terriers (there are even some varieties on the market compatible with the Australian Terrier)
Remember to always check the ingredients and especially the vitamin and mineral content, essential for keeping our dogs in shape.
The use of wet food as the only alternative is not advisable, but a small amount can be added to make dry food more palatable.
Homemade Dog Diet
If you do not want to feed packaged food and want to cook for your dog, the most suitable choice for preparing homemade food falls on primary products to be mainly boiled.
Meals should contain carbohydrates, proteins, and vegetables in the right balance and be given in the correct dose based on weight and energy expenditure.
To learn more about how to feed your Patterdale Terrier in the healthiest and tastiest way, read our guides:
Additional Tips for Keeping Your Australian Silky Terrier in Shape
It’s important to remember to regularly deworm both puppies and adult dogs, especially if adopted from shelters, kennels, or private owners.
Due to their long, silky hair, this small Australian terrier is easily attacked by insects and parasites. Make sure to carry out prophylaxis for heartworm, leishmaniasis, fleas, and ticks.
Even if the dog goes out infrequently, nails should be trimmed regularly to prevent injury during running. Read here to learn how to do it.
The Silky Terrier is prone to ear canal infections and deafness. Ear cleaning is absolutely necessary to avoid unpleasant odors or pathologies that can also affect the dog's health.
Remember to periodically check the state of the anal glands to avoid discomfort for the dog and bad odor. For this procedure, turn to the veterinarian.
It’s advisable to carry out daily dental cleaning, or at least every two days, to avoid oral cavity problems and early tooth loss. If you can’t manage, opt for professional scaling under sedation when necessary.
Who is the Australian Silky Terrier Suitable For
The Australian Silky Terrier is suitable for various types of people and families, but it's important to consider some breed characteristics before making a decision:
Australian Silky Terriers are excellent companion dogs for those looking for a loyal furry friend.
They are affectionate and devoted to their owners, often desiring to be the center of attention.
This breed can be a good choice for families with older and respectful children.
Australian Silky Terriers are playful and can enjoy interacting with the young ones in the household.
Additionally, they adapt well to single owners or couples, as they are quite manageable in size and require less space compared to larger breeds.
Australian Silky Terriers are active and playful dogs. They love to exercise, so they are suitable for people who can dedicate time to outdoor activities, like walks and games.
These dogs have long hair that requires regular grooming to keep it in good condition. Anyone choosing this breed should be willing to commit to coat care.
Regarding training, Australian Silky Terriers are generally adaptable but can be stubborn and desire a bit of dominance.
People with experience in handling dogs may have an advantage in training and socialization, but since they are a small breed, it's generally not necessary to rely on a professional dog trainer.
It should not be forgotten that these dogs have long hair that requires regular grooming to keep it in good condition. Anyone choosing this breed should be willing to commit to coat care.
Who is the Australian Silky Terrier Not Suitable For
For those who cannot take them for walks, those with other pets (always test if adopted as an adult), and those who do not have a budget for coat maintenance.
They are very exuberant and therefore not suitable for people who need a lot of tranquility; if that is the case, it's better to opt for a different breed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Articles That Might Interest You
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Author's Note
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