Silky Terrier

The casual observer can be forgiven for mistaking a Silky for a Yorkshire or Australian terrier at first glance. After all, Yorkies and Aussies were the main components utilized by Australian breeders when creating the Silky in the early 20th century. Other breeds that might factor in the Silky’s development (depending on who’s telling the story) include Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and Skye terriers, three of several British terriers brought to Australia by English settlers. For the record, Silkys are larger than Yorkies and smaller than Aussies.

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.

The Silky Terrier should be fed a high-quality dog food appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior) and ideally formulated for small or toy breeds. Give table scraps sparingly, if at all, especially avoiding cooked bones and foods with very high fat content. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.

The Silky Terrier’s coat should be brushed at least twice a week with a pin brush or soft bristle brush. A long-toothed metal dog comb can also come in handy for gently working through areas where tangles may be beginning to form. Left unattended, tangles and mats are uncomfortable for your dog and can cause skin problems to develop. The nails should be trimmed once a month, and a bath every four to six weeks with a gentle shampoo meant for dogs will help to keep the coat and skin clean and healthy. Grooming sessions are a good time to check the dog all over for any new lumps or skin problems, and to check that the eyes and ears are healthy and trouble free.

More a terrier than a lapdog, the Silky Terrier requires more exercise than most Toy Group breeds. Intelligent, bold, and energetic, Silkies need human partners who will know how to channel that energy into daily exercise and training for sports and work. The breed does well in the conformation ring, and Silkies have been successful in companion events, particularly agility.

Silky Terriers can adapt well to any living situation but need owners who have the time to devote to them—they do not like to be ignored, preferring to play fetch or go on walks with their family. Taken by the breed’s charm, owners may be tempted to let a Silky Terrier get away with undesirable behaviors; it’s best to be sure to make rules and stick to them. The breed has a strong prey drive, and a leash is essential when walking outside.

While Silky Terriers are generally healthy dogs, there are several health and genetic screening considerations specific to the breed. Responsible breeders test their stock for conditions the breed can be prone to, including patellar luxation and eye disease. A Silky Terrier’s ears should be checked regularly for signs of infection, and the teeth should be brushed often, using a toothpaste designed for dogs. Regular visits to the vet for checkups and parasite control help to ensure the dog a long, healthy life.

Toy

A cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Australian Terrier in the 19th century resulted in today’s Silky Terrier. A tough little breed, they are as good at catching rodents and other vermin as they are a wonderful companion dog.

Large, up to 9-10” at the shoulders, weighing anywhere from 8-11 pounds. The Silky Terrier is a short-legged, fine-boned little dog with a very long single coat. 5-6 inches in length, the Silky Terrier is born black but changes to blue with tan as the dog matures.

The Silky Terrier has a life expectancy of 12-15 years and is prone to intervertebral disc disease, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, diabetes, epilepsy, tracheal collapse, and leg perthes.

They may be little, but there is a lot of courage in that small sturdy package. Your Silky Terrier is spirited, cheeky, busy, high-energy, curious, alert, affectionate, outgoing and highly intelligent. They enjoy learning and training will be easy if you use rewarding methods. This can be a willful breed, so they want to know what’s in it for them when you’re training. You need to be a calm, knowledgeable, and humane owner giving consistent and committed leadership to your Silky Terrier using only motivational training methods.

The Silky Terrier is a busy and active breed, and requires a brisk daily walk and plenty of off-leash play and running in a safe, fenced area. They also need mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destruction, so be sure to provide your Silky Terrier with plenty of interactive toys that challenge their problem-solving skills.

 Grooming Requirements:   Requires daily brushing and professional grooming to prevent matting  Coat: Long  Shedding: Little to no shedding  Hypoallergenic: Yes  Apartment Living: Good for apartment living if given sufficient exercise  Lap Dog: Yes  Good With Children: Better with older children who understand how to respect such a small dog  Good With Other Pets: Good with other dogs when socialized at an early age; not trustworthy with small and non-canine pets.