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Alert, glamorous yet robustly built, the Australian Silky Terrier has sharply pricked ears and a long straight coat parted down the back.
Keen, alert and active, the Australian Silky Terrier or ‘Silky’ for short is, beneath the coat, all terrier. With all the spice and fire of the larger terriers, they are still well equipped for their original purpose in watchdog and vermin control roles, as well as making lively companion animals. Enjoying training, games and any activity where they can join in with their owner, this is a fun and remarkably robust little dog. Comparisons will be drawn with their relative the Yorkshire Terrier, but although they are similar in appearance and height, the Silky is the more solidly built, with a longer muzzle and less rounded head.
Country of Origin: Australia
Previously known as the Sydney Silky, the Australian Silky Terrier is related to both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Australian Terrier. It is thought that in the late 19th century when breeders were seeking to refine the robust, rough coated Australian Terrier, they used the Yorkie to bring in the blue and tan colouring of the coat and probably to bring down the size.
Some litters will have produced silky coated puppies which were undoubtedly attractive to breeders despite not being the desired outcome. These became the foundation of the Australian Silky Terrier that we have today. They were officially recognised as a breed in Australia in the mid-1950s and by the FCI in 1962.
