Australian Silky Terrier (Silky Terrier) - Dog breeds in alphabetical order - Dog breeds - File catalog - Dog - lifestyle. Australian Silky (Silky) Terrier: a brave watchman and companion Difference from the Australian Terrier

What does a soft toy look like from an Australian Silky Terrier dog? This breed is considered not so old, because it was bred at the beginning of the last century. Dogs belong to the group of indoor dogs decorative terriers, whose ancestors were, in particular, Skye Terriers and Yorkies). It is believed that the dogs initially imported to Australia were crossed, and from there they were distributed to other countries, including the United States.

Breed Features

The Silkie Terrier, or as it is also called the Sydney Terrier, is very often confused with its English counterpart. But apart from coat color, there is nothing in common between them. The Silkie Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier, whose differences are obvious both in character and in care, are very popular in the USA, England, Canada, and Sweden. There are very few Silky Terriers in Russia.

The main difference between this cute creature and other terriers is the presence of long, beautiful hair. In fact, they also got their name thanks to this feature.

The height of these long-haired beauties is usually 23–25 cm. With a weight of 2.8–5.5 kg, they are very miniature. After all most of weight falls on wool, the length of which reaches 15 cm.

These lovely creatures usually live 8–12 years, sometimes up to 15–18.

Typical color options: blue and tan or gray and blue, red, sand. The color on the tail is usually black. The crest that every Australian Silky Terrier has on its head is also blue. Sandy and red Silky Terriers, respectively, have a different shade of crest.

The body of dogs of this breed is elongated. On the small head are triangular ears that always stand high, as does the tail.

They have fairly good health indicators. They are sensitive to frost, especially their paws, but do not require clothing for themselves. They are quite capable of handling it on their own.

Character of the Silky Terrier

Like many other miniature dogs, the Silk Terrier is very active and cheerful. In part, we can say that he has hyperactivity.

A gentle character, but at the same time very temperamental, can lead to misunderstandings among its owners about how to behave. But this is only the first time. Quite quickly, the Australian Silky Silky Terrier will try to take a dominant position. If you succumb to his provocations, you can forever lose your authority for him. You will have to fulfill all his whims.

Silkie Terriers are very independent. If you don't train them, they can become aggressive. With all this, you have to show restraint in training, because Silky Terriers do not like to be shouted at. Training, to which they easily lend themselves, is best built on affection and praise.

Favorite activities, besides walking, are playing with a ball and digging numerous holes. Despite the fact that they lack hunting habits, they still have a desire to penetrate the burrows of small animals. They sense rats well, so they can chase such prey.

The dog successfully adapts to the family. But, despite excellent relationships with children, they will not tolerate tail-pulling or other rudeness towards them. Therefore, very young children should be kept away from the dog to prevent injury and bites.

They patiently wait for their owners and joyfully welcome them home, looking forward to their next walk together. They prefer to single out one person in the family as a favorite. In return, they expect active games and affection.

They love to participate in family events and accompany their owners wherever they go. They do not tolerate loneliness well, so it is better to take them with you when traveling.

Despite the fact that the breed was originally created as a lap dog, Silk Terriers are absolutely not ready to put up with the role of sofa dogs. Their activity and energy require freedom and action.

Silkie Terriers do not display qualities very clearly guard dog, but they love to bark loudly at the slightest suspicion of strangers. Their hunting instinct is more pronounced. Bribing this outwardly is very friendly dog impossible.

Nutrition and care

Despite the fact that Silk Terriers have luxurious coats, they are not that difficult to care for. Of course, you will have to wash your dog regularly, at least twice a month with shampoo and conditioner. Every day you will have to comb your Silky Terrier with a special brush. Silky Terriers do not require bows or other accessories.

The dog itself is quite clean. However, it is worth observing both her ears and the condition of her paws. Paws are very often injured in an aggressive urban environment.

Don't be afraid that your dog will have a lot of hair in your house - they don't shed.

The dog does not need a lot of space in the apartment. But you need to give him the opportunity to express physical activity, otherwise it may “sour”. In addition to regular walks, it is necessary to arrange additional long trips into nature.

The animal is usually fed from the owner's table or with the help of special feeds. If you eat the same food as the owners, you should limit your consumption flour products, those dishes that may contain bones.

To summarize, we can say that Silk Terriers are excellent team players who aspire to leadership in the family. It is required, with the help of patience and affection, to instill in them good manners so that you don’t have to subsequently follow the lead of a dog with a bad character. Those who choose Australian Silkie Terrier They will never regret their choice, because he loves to show his tender feelings.

Petite and charming, at the same time restless and serious working dog- This is an Australian Silky Terrier. The breed is visually similar to the popular and beloved by many, however, unlike its decorative friend, Silkie, this is a workaholic dog who would prefer to catch grasshoppers and mice than sit quietly in a purse.

The Silkie Terrier is a descendant of the Yorkie and the Australian Old Type Terrier. The breed originated in Sydney, the capital of Australia at a time when the continent was a British colony. The territories of New South Wales and Victoria were rich in gold and other minerals, which was the reason for the migration of the working class of the British to Australia. Along with people, dogs also arrived on the continent.

Old-type Australian terriers were famous for their excellent working qualities; they hunted and guarded their owner's property with great success. There is no reliable information about the origin of Australian Terriers, but it is known that the breed was bred artificially. As an experiment to expand the color palette of the old-type Australian terriers, females of the breed were bred with large Yorkies. It is known that another excellent hunter, Skyteier, participated in the breeding program.

And then everything happened quite chaotically. Puppies born from experimental matings were registered as Australian, Yorkshire and Silkie terriers, although they were already hybrids. Further, dogs of “impure” blood crossed with each other... and, probably, it is easy to assume that with such “good intentions”, would-be breeders risked bringing all breeds to degeneration.

In 1932, the Victorian Kennel Union banned interbreed matings and the rule was enforced to the extent that pedigrees could be traced. The new breed turned out to be unstable to intrabreed matings, but despite everything, at that time the Sydney Silky Terrier became popular as decorative dog with working qualities. In 1906, a primary breed standard was developed for the Silkie, and in 1907 representatives of the Sydney Silkie began to conquer the show rings of Australia. By 1909, Victorian experts had drawn up “their standard” for snares, but as it soon became clear, the two descriptions of the breed had significant differences.

This is interesting! By 1930, the Silkie Terrier was already captivating show experts in the United States, however, the breed's final popularization in America occurred after the end of World War II, when soldiers based in Australia returned home accompanied by their four-legged friends.

The Sydney and Victorian standards differed in the description of the type of ears and weight of the dog. The competitive situation was settled only by 1926, and the adoption of the final standard occurred in 1959. In the same year, the breed was recognized in the USA as the Australian Silky Terrier, which received a new American standard, which was again adjusted in 1967.

Read also: Sussex Spaniel: history, standard and characteristics of the breed, content (+ photo)

Appearance

Lively character, ability to hunt, small stature, moderately elongated body, medium-strong bone structure, charming face and silky, parted coat - this is an ideal companion and apartment dog. The Australian Silky Terrier is a “bell”, a source of energy and positive emotions and an excellent “nanny” for children, at the same time the pet must demonstrate self-confidence, vigilance and a desire to control the situation.

Long disputes and repeated adjustments to the standard to approve a uniform weight framework for the breed ended in a compromise. The Silky Terrier's weight should be proportional to its height, which varies from 23 to 29 centimeters. It should be noted that the lower threshold is not strict for females.

Differences between Yorkshire and Silkie Terriers

And now, drum roll, having studied the marketplaces on the World Wide Web, you can easily find Silkie Terrier puppies for sale, however, in the photo in the ad you will see Yorkies. It is not entirely clear what would-be breeders are counting on, but since such a business exists, it means there is a demand for it!

Silky and York are absolutely different dogs, which are similar only color scheme color, differences by points:

• Wool– Yorkie has long, flowing and elastic guard hair. The silk also has long wool, however, it is very soft and light.

• Body structure– the Silkie is elongated and squat, while the Yorkie is of a square type.

• Head– the Yorkie’s face resembles that of a puppy, the lower jaw is graceful, and the teeth are neat. Silkie boasts a strong lower jaw(he catches rats and mice!), medium-sized head.

• Weight and dimensions– the Yorkie is much smaller and lighter than the Silka!

• Australian Silky Terrier– This is a very rare and expensive breed!

Australian Silky Terrier breed standard

• Head proportional to the size of the body, strong, ears set at a medium distance. The forehead is flat, slightly longer than the bridge of the nose. The transition from the forehead to the nose is pronounced. The nose is black, the lips are clearly lined. The teeth are straight, white, scissor bite. Hair falling over the eyes, cheeks, cheekbones or long curls on the ears is undesirable.

• Eyes oval, non-convex. The look is lively and wary.

• Ears- triangular, erect with thin but elastic cartilage. Coat in ears absent. Contrary to the standard, there are Silkie Terriers with curled ears.

• Body– elongated, strong, back wide, flat. The neck is moderately arched and proportional. The entire body from the croup to the back of the head is covered with silky, long hair. Rib cage medium width and depth, ribs moderately rounded.

• Paws– strong, even, not too thick. The elbows and shoulders are positioned harmoniously; any deviation in the angle of the joint is considered a fault. The brushes are very strong and collected.

• Tail – appearance depends on the length. The “natural tail” is set high, the lower vertebrae are vertical, the rest of the tail is slightly curved towards the back. Docked, stands upright. In both cases, the hair is short. Decorating hair is considered a vice.

Read also: Yorkshire Terrier: Silky but Ruffy

An important nuance of the breed is the color of the dog. White or silver colors are not allowed in the drawing! The main tone of the back and tail is called blue. Only on the muzzle a combination of blue, fawn and silver is allowed. Rich color is encouraged, however, lightening from the back to the belly is the norm. Claws and eyes should be as dark as possible.

The length of the coat depends on the age of the dog and the method of grooming. However, there are frameworks from which divergence is undesirable:

• The fur should not restrict your pet's movements.

• Even with the maximum length of the coat, in a standing position, there is a gap between the bottom line and the surface.

• Not allowed on paws and tail long wool.

• An even parting is required on the dog's back.

Important! In a puppy under 18 months of age, black coloring is considered normal. Upon reaching 1.5 years of age, the coat should change color.

Character and training

Active, attentive, sensitive, attached to the owner, quick-witted and quite cunning, the snare can become an ideal pet or a “horror flying on the wings of the night.” The Australian Silky Terrier, especially puppies, need high-quality training and timely socialization; heredity also plays an important role in the dog’s character.

Every potential owner must understand that keeping a Silky Terrier is a daily and lifelong job. The dog needs constant physical and mental stress. If you live in a private house, be prepared for amateur activities, in the form of digging up beds, barking, protecting the territory from rodents, cats, birds and even insects.

With proper upbringing and care, the Silkie Terrier respects its family and owner, works with pleasure and follows commands. It should be noted that the dog is very friendly towards older children, but the pet will not tolerate pulling its tail, ears or fur! Cohabitation with cats, and especially with rodents, it is undesirable. To be fair, it should be noted that experienced dog breeders managed to accustom their pets to other animals.

Important! The Australian Silky Terrier will chase cats - this is a hunting instinct and it is too difficult to overcome! Until the dog has learned the call, walking without a leash is contraindicated! The rule also applies to puppies.

Dog training should be done by an experienced, patient and discreet person. If you don’t have enough experience, it’s best to contact a dog trainer, who will train you first, and then the dog. The Australian Silky Terrier is very energetic, which makes it difficult to train. Literally after 3-4 repetitions of the command, the dog begins to get distracted.

Important! During classes, raising your voice or physical punishment is contraindicated; in the first case, the dog becomes cowardly, in the second - aggressive.

Maintenance and care

Silky – translated as silky, iridescent and natural, this refers to the description of a pet’s “fur coat”. The undoubted advantage of the breed is minimal shedding and practically complete absence the smell of wool. However, for the coat to match the description, the dog must be provided balanced diet and careful care.

The Australian Silky Terrier is a small breed of dog from the terrier group. The breed developed in Australia, although its ancestors come from Great Britain. They are often confused with Yorkshire Terriers, but the Silky was created much later.

The ancestors of the breed were the Yorkshire terrier and, which in turn appeared from the wire-haired terriers brought to Australia. According to the records of the American Kennel Club, the breed originated in late XIX century.

It was originally known as the Sydney silky, having originated in that city. Dogs living in Australia are mainly working and service dogs, and the Silky Terrier is a typical companion, although it is known for its ability to kill snakes.

Until 1929, the Australian Terrier, Australian Silky Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier were not separated into breeds. The dogs were born in the same litter and separated in appearance as they grew.

After 1932, crossbreeding was prohibited and in 1955 the breed received official name- Australian Silky Terrier. In 1958 it was recognized by the Australian National Kennel Council.

After World War II, American soldiers serving in Australia also brought puppies of this breed home. In 1954, photographs of the dogs appeared in newspapers, creating popularity and hundreds of Silky Terriers were imported from Australia to the United States.

The American Kennel Club registered the breed in 1959, the British Kennel Club in 1965 and this moment the dogs are recognized by all major organizations in the English-speaking world and by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

Description

Like other toy breeds, the Silky Terrier is a very small dog. Height at the withers is 23-26 cm, while girls are slightly smaller. Although not specified by the breed standard ideal weight for these dogs, but the owners call 3.5-4.5 kg. They have a long body, approximately 20% longer than tall. But for a dog of his size, the Silky Terrier is incredibly muscular and strong.

All over the world they are mistaken for, and in fact these two breeds are close relatives.

It’s easy to guess from the name that the Silky Terrier’s coat is special—straight, glossy, and silky. It is long enough, but not to the extent that it interferes with movement, and the paws should be visible when looking at the dog from the side. On the head it is long enough to form a bun, but on the face and especially the ears, it is shorter.

There is only one acceptable color - black-backed: blue with fawn or grayish blue with fawn.

Character

Of all the small dogs, the Silkie Terrier is the most working breed. This is the case when the terrier is toy-sized, rather than when the toy is terrier-sized.

If you like terriers but want a highly adaptable dog various situations- these dogs are for you. They are very attached to people and form very strong relationships with their loving owners.

However, they are more independent than other dogs and can spend hours walking around the house on their own. Most small dogs suffer from boredom and loneliness if left alone, but not the Silky Terrier. In addition, they are tolerant of strangers and even friendly with them.

Proper socialization and training are very important for Silky Terriers, but they are quite social without it. Most of them are smart and brave; some may be shy with strangers.

Unlike most dwarf breeds, they have a good relationship with children. However, not with the smallest ones as they do not like sudden, rough movements and loud sounds. They will not attack, but this situation is stressful for them, and if the child hurts them, they may bite in self-defense. In general, if there are children over 6 years old in the family, then there should be no problems.

They are relatively tolerant of other dogs and can live in the same house if they know each other well. However, it is better if it is the same dog and of the opposite sex. The fact is that Australian Silky Terriers are slightly dominant, despite their size.

If they meet a strange dog, they immediately try to take a dominant position, although they are not as pugnacious as other terriers. However, they can jump into a fight and seriously injure a similarly sized dog or be harmed themselves by larger ones.

Most toy dogs get along well with other animals, but not the Silkie Terrier. There is still a lot of it in their blood and, as a result, the hunter’s instinct is strong. Surprisingly, in his homeland he earned fame as a snake hunter.

If you leave a silky terrier unattended in the yard, then with a high degree of probability he will soon bring you someone's corpse. If left unattended, they can kill a hamster or pig, even if they have known it for many years.

Accordingly, they don’t get along with cats either. Although proper training reduces aggression, however they will regularly attack cats.

Australian Silky Terriers are quite intelligent and learn quickly. They can perform well in agility. However, training is not so simple. Like all terriers, silkies are stubborn and sometimes capricious; they prefer to break the rules, even knowing that they will be punished.

A strong hand and character are needed to keep them in check. They are definitely more interested in pleasing themselves than their owner, and positive reinforcement in the form of treats works great. But still, Silk Terriers are less complex than other dwarf dogs and much smarter.

They are very active and energetic dogs, they have increased load requirements. A measured, languid walk is not enough; long walks are needed. hiking at least once a day. However, compared to other terriers, these are trifles and an ordinary owner can quite satisfy these requirements.

They are just as active at home and spend hours entertaining themselves. But it is important for owners to know that a bored silky terrier begins to develop serious problems with behavior and even psyche.

In particular, they can become timid, aggressive, destructive, and bark endlessly. In order to get rid of unwanted behavior, the dog needs to be loaded, trained and walked with it.

Anyone looking to buy a Silky Terrier needs to remember that they love to bark. And their voice is thin and ringing, and they bark in bursts. Training reduces this behavior, but even the calmest representatives of the breed bark more than other dogs.

Care

They need professional grooming several times a year and daily brushing. Minimum time What you need to devote to caring for a silky terrier is 15 minutes a day, removing dead hair, preventing tangles, trimming.

Health

Silky Terriers are a very healthy breed, one of the healthiest among the dwarf ones. Average duration life span ranges from 12 to 15 years.

They come from strong, working dogs and practically do not suffer from genetic diseases. If you decide to buy an Australian Silky Terrier, choose trusted kennels.

When buying terrier snares from unknown sellers, you risk money, time and nerves.

Take a look:

Australian Silky Terrier (Silky) is a small and cute dog, outwardly resembling the image Yorkshire Terrier. It received full development and recognition in Australia. To this day, Silkie is a rare guest in Russia. Get to know her better and you will undoubtedly like her.

Australian Silky Terrier - and today. Dogs of this breed have long and silky hair, which is why they got their name. Despite Silka's small height and weight.

Silky has a visual similarity to. However, the first impression is deceptive and noticeable only to those who are not very familiar with representatives of these two breeds. If York and Silkie are placed side by side, you will notice that they are not that much alike.

Please do not confuse the Silkie and Yorkshire Terrier breeds. They have only related roots, since Yorkies participated in the breeding new breed.

According to the description of the breed, the Australian Silky Terrier can show itself fully as. He is prescribed the following characteristics:

1. Adapts well to the environment.
2. Has high trainability and obedience.
3. He needs active image life and moderate exercise stress. These traits in the Australian Silky Terrier are derived from hunting Wirehaired Terriers.
4. It has compact dimensions, an elegant body structure and strong bones.
5. Capable of hunting small rodents and even snakes.

Origin story

The Australian Silky Terrier breed is quite new and very controversial. There are many omissions in the history of its origin. In fact, it dates back to the end of the 18th century. It happened as follows.

Around 1830 bitch Wirehaired Terrier, which had a shiny coat of an incomparable dark blue color, the owner brought to the UK for mating with a luxurious male Yorkshire Terrier. As a result, wonderful puppies were born, which gave rise to a derivative of the new breed.

There is information that Skye Terriers and Aboriginal Terriers, who in turn carried the genes of Cairn Terriers and Dinmont Terriers, participated in the appearance of Silkie. Unfortunately official documents, there is no information about Silka’s appearance, or they are kept secret.

The Silky Terrier breeder later emigrated from England to Australia to the city of Sydney, where he successfully continued the breeding program for a new breed of dogs. His efforts were crowned with success.

The Australian Silky Terrier breed met all the author's ideas. She quickly attracted and fell in love with the public, and then became popular far beyond Australia.

In 1933, the breed was registered by the Australian Kennel Club, and in 1959 it was recognized in America. In Russia, the Australian Silky Terrier breed is little known.

Previously, the Australian Silky Terrier breed was known as the Sydney Silky Terrier, sometimes it is simply called the Silky Terrier, and Silkie is a diminutive name.

Exhibition standard

The breed standard received registration in the FCI standard under number No. 236 on December 5, 2012. Group of terriers, without working tests. The main purpose of the Australian Silky Terrier is as a companion dog. According to the standard he has:

A deviation from the standard is any discrepancy: high paws, short body, bulging eyes, hard coat, black or too light coat color, hanging ears, ring tail, hunchback, short muzzle, malocclusion and other defects.

Main settings

The height of males at the withers is 23-26 cm; females may have lower or the same height.
The weight of adult dogs is up to 4.5 kg. The average lifespan is 13-15 years.

Difference from the Australian Terrier

The Silky Terrier differs from the ordinary Australian Terrier primarily in its quality. coat. The terrier has a hard coat, 6 cm long, and also has a hard undercoat. The weight of terriers reaches 6.5 kg, and the height is 25 cm. The silky terrier has a coat that is almost floor-length, soft, flowing, and its dimensions will be smaller.

There are differences in both character and behavior. Australian terriers are still used as working hunting dogs, but their silky brother quickly took a place on the owner's soft pillows and is a luxury item at social functions.

Features of training

Despite his luxurious appearance, the Silkie Terrier has retained the call of his ancestors and can become a working dog. With proper training, he becomes a shepherd for small-hoofed animals, a guard and a hunter for small animals. fur-bearing animal and rodents. Such a dog is ready to work tirelessly for the benefit of people.

Otherwise it's ordinary dog from , she is a companion and a wonderful, devoted friend.

Who is this dog suitable for?

The breed is suitable for people leading an active lifestyle. Snares for those who respect walking on fresh air. The Silky Terrier is an alternative breed for people who like Yorkies, Cairns or.

The Australian “baby” will give everyone a head start. Silky is ideal for keeping in a city apartment, as it practically does not shed. It doesn't take up much space.

But for homebodies, phlegmatic people or busy people, such a silky dog ​​will be a burden; it is not suitable for elderly people either. There is no need to get one for those who do not have the money and time to care for the silky coat of a pet.

Health and possible problems

In general, the Australian Silky Terrier can be called healthy breed. It is this feature that distinguishes him from the variety of dogs in the dwarf category. When properly bred, Silkies should not have genetic diseases.

Rare diseases

1. Legg-Calvé-Perters disease, when in the head hip joint blood flow deteriorates and it begins to die. Symptoms of the disease appear before the age of 6 months. Treatment is only surgical.
2. Dislocation of the kneecap. Many people have this problem dwarf dogs. In this case, the dog can lead a normal life or become disabled, it’s all a matter of chance.
3. Diabetes mellitus, in this case the pet cannot be cured one hundred percent. He must be on insulin injections and a strict diet for the rest of his life.
4. Pancreatitis. Pancreatic disease is most often acquired due to poor feeding.
5. Trachea problem. The disease can manifest itself due to physical fatigue or excessive overload.

Don’t let the list of diseases scare you; if the puppy was purchased from healthy parents and is maintained properly, then it should be free from all adversity.

Features of care

Australian Silky Terrier needs standard care. He needs:

1. Comb the fur to avoid tangles. You can't cut your hair.
2. Bathe your pet as soon as it gets dirty, no more than once a week.
3. Maintain hygiene of eyes, ears and teeth.
4. Inspect paw pads for cuts.
5. At a temperature of -5 C, it is advisable to walk in clothes.
6. Treat for fleas and worms once every 3 months.
7. Treat annually against ticks from May to October.
8. Vaccinate on schedule.

Feeding options

You can feed your Silky Terrier premium or holistic dry food. Dry food is properly balanced and provides the dog’s body with useful substances. If desired, Silky can be fed natural food.

At natural nutrition will need to be added to the diet and fish fat. It is highly undesirable to alternate between natural ones.

Price for adults and puppies

The Silkie breed is a novelty for Russia. You can buy purebred Silky Terrier puppies in kennels of the Russian Federation, of which there are not so many. Little Silkie is similar to York and it is important not to make a mistake here.

When buying an Australian Silky Terrier puppy, bet on a trusted breeder; otherwise, you can buy a crossbreed from just about anyone.

If you are seriously thinking about buying a puppy from this rare breed, then know that the price is quite high, approximately 50 thousand rubles. Cheap offers for the sale of Silka are a hundred percent deception. Adult dogs are sold much cheaper than puppies. Taking this factor into account, an adult Silkie will cost you 25-30 thousand rubles.

Useful video

Watch a very interesting video that will tell you in detail about this wonderful breed. You will also learn the main differences between Silkie and Yorkshire Terrier.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Australian Silky Terrier breed has many fans in its homeland. However, any medal has back side. Let's look at the pros and cons of Silka.

Silky can only be walked within the city on a leash, due to hunting instinct and a quarrelsome disposition, he can run away or die.

Training:

Intelligence:

Popularity:

Attitude towards children:

100%

The Australian Silky Terrier, despite its decorative look and miniature sizes, refers to working dogs. The breed developed in Australia, although all breeds hereditary types who took part in the breeding of the Silky Terrier are of British origin. The ancestors of this wonderful guard, shepherd and hunter were Yorkshire and Australian terriers, which in turn descended from other small breeds terriers (Norwich, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont and Skye terriers).

According to the American Kennel Club, the breed, originally named the Sidney Silky after its place of origin, originated in the late 19th century. Small dogs with silky hair were supposed to become city pets and companions, but they attracted attention primarily by hunting snakes.
Before 1929, the Yorkshire, Australian and Australian Silky Terriers were both individual breeds were not differentiated. In 1933, the Australian Kennel Club registered the breed, and these dogs received their modern name (Silky or Silky Terrier) in 1955 after registration in the USA, where they were brought by the American military. Buying an Australian Silky Terrier in Russia is not easy, since this breed is bred mainly in its homeland.

A small, stocky, compact dog with a slightly elongated body, it has a light and fairly strong bone structure, a medium-sized wedge-shaped head and a flat skull (should be slightly longer than the muzzle). The high-set erect small ears look like equilateral triangles and are always directed vertically upward.
Almond-shaped dark small eyes are distinguished by an attentive expression and dark edging. The occasional light shade of the eyes is considered a defect.

See also: German Jagdterrier- a dog of hunting blood

The nose is black, the teeth and jaws are strong, and the incisors are located along the same line. The bite should be scissor bite.
The Australian Silky Terrier has a graceful neck of medium length, with an accentuated nape line. The back line is straight, the shoulder blades are set obliquely. The dog is distinguished by the width and depth of its chest, reaching to the elbows. The relatively low-set body should be 1/5 higher than the height at the withers (it varies from 23 to 25 cm). Weight reaches 5 kg.

Direct strong limbs directed forward (marking and clubfoot are absent). The thighs are quite muscular, the angles of articulation are well defined knee joints. The short metatarsals appear parallel when viewed from behind. Small round paws with thick elastic pads end in dark, strong claws. Vestigial fingers of puppies, which are not signs of purebred, are removed.

The docked, densely furred tail sticks out upward.

The vices include:

• pink and colorless claws;
• shortened or overextended format;
• sagging or hunchbacked back.

Coat color and its characteristics

The Silky Terrier's thin, flowing, straight, shiny coat has a silky texture and conforms to the shape of the body. It lies in the parting, starting from the head to the tail, and looks like the fur of a Yorkie (in the snare it is a little shorter). The dog hardly sheds due to the absence of undercoat. There should be no long hair on the paws, and there should be a gap under the lower edge of the hair running along the body.
The length of the fur, colored blue from the scruff to the tail, reaches 13-15 cm. The limbs are also colored blue - on the front legs up to the elbows, and on the hind legs from inside- to the middle of the thighs. The tail should be a rich dark color. Silver-blue, gray-blue or steel-blue shades of wool are allowed. The Australian Silky Terrier is born black, and puppies acquire the standard blue shade of coat by a maximum of 18 months.
The color is also distinguished by a rich and thick tan without darkening, which should be:

• On the muzzle and cheeks;
• Around the ears;
• On the paws;
• Around the anus.

See also: Mini husky - education, history of the breed

The crest stands out against the tan as a lighter shade of tan or silver tones. The photo shows an Australian Silky Terrier of standard color.

Dog's character and required care

Silkies are curious, active, energetic and have a cheerful, friendly character. With proper training, they get along well with other animals. With hamsters and guinea pigs It is better not to keep these terriers, since most small terriers were bred to hunt rodents.

They are patient with children and favorably perceive guests visiting their owners. When meeting strangers, they are wary, but without provocation from the stranger, they simply inform their owners about the discovery by barking loudly. They guard the territory well, quickly detecting “intruders.”

This is a companion dog, bored without its owners and requiring attention, so it is better not to leave it alone for a long time - the snare can find something to do that will not please the owners. The energy that these dogs have is overflowing and requires daily sufficient quantity exercises if the owners want the Silky Terrier to behave calmly. This ideal breed for traveling, as dogs easily adapt to traveling conditions.

The Australian Silk Terrier can be trained quickly if the activities with it are varied. It is better not to use coercion, force and loud screams when training - since all terriers are stubborn, a snare responds better to encouragement and praise. An obedience course and early socialization are mandatory for these terriers - docile and affectionate in communication with their owners, snares can show aggression towards other dogs.

Necessary conditions of detention

Although the Silky Terrier quickly gets used to small apartments, the dog needs a walk that allows it to run around large open spaces. The suburban areas where the snare lives must be well fenced, otherwise this active, inquisitive dog will find an opportunity to escape into the open.
Due to the peculiarities of the coat texture, this breed requires:

• Daily brushing;
• Regular but not frequent bathing using a mild shampoo;
• Trimming the fur as it grows (especially on the limbs).