The Silky Terriers are quite popular all around the world. People absolutely adore their endearing looks and their tiny size. For Indians, these dogs are considered to be a fine choice. They adjust well to apartment life, are not that hard to train, can tolerate hot and humid climatic conditions of India and they have a jolly personality which certainly lights up anyone’s mood. Therefore, the Silky Terriers are a good breed to be recommended to almost anyone, but the only thing to look out for is that these pooches have a pretty low tolerance to cold weather conditions and low temperatures, hence they are not suitable for snowy and chilly areas or places that are notorious for their harsh climatic conditions.
The Silky Terriers are finely built, moderately low set canines who are quite well known all around the world because of their long & silky coat and their jovial nature. The official standards for the Silky Terriers are given as follows:
The average weight of the Silky Terriers is around 4-5 Kilograms. Both the male and female Silky Terriers are quite similar to each other in terms of overall size and stature. The average height of these canines is generally around 9-10 inches (at the shoulders).
|
WEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
|
|
MALE |
4-5 kg |
9-10 inch |
|
FEMALE |
4-5 kg |
9-10 inch |
These canines have a glossy, straight and obviously, a silky coat. The coat is fairly long in terms of length and is quite well spread all over the body. The profuse hair on top of the head can be tied into a knot so that they don’t cover up the pooch’s eyes.
They have a small yet substantially built body that suggests a good amount of durability and robustness present inside these canines. Their neck is moderately long and it fits gracefully into their shoulders. The Chest area is somewhat deep and wide and the Back region is strong and short. Their tail is usually docked, carried gaily and is set fairly high. The forelegs and hind legs are straight, sturdy, fine-boned and are reasonably well-muscled.
They have a moderately long head which is slightly wedge-shaped but is quite strong. Their eyes are small, shaped like an almond and are dark in color. The ears are also quite small, V-shaped, carried erect and are set decently high on the skull.
Their jaw region is finely built with well-aligned and strong teeth perfectly placed inside their mouth that closes in a Scissors bite. Their overall muzzle is slightly short and shallow.
Going by the looks, the Silky Terriers should be quiet, sweet, gentle and docile canines who are happy to be a lap dog. But, that is not totally true as these dogs, although sweet-natured, are also immensely bold, tenacious, lively, spirited and sometimes feisty in nature. They love to dig, bark and chase after a ball, a toy or people. They are quite intelligent and responsive as well which makes the training sessions a lot easier and smooth for their trainers/owners. They are highly companionable and they love their family members with all their heart. They are fond of playing several games with them and are also known to be decent watchdogs as well and can protect their owner and their property from any intruders and external harm by alerting them in case of an emergency. The temperament traits of the Silky Terriers are listed below:
The Silky Terriers, as the name suggests, have a silky and smooth coat which gives these dogs an elegant and stylish look. They carry their body gracefully, head proudly and are known to have a dignified and sophisticated appearance.
But, their refined looks don’t take away from the fact that this dog is, after all, a Terrier. And, thus, the Silky Terriers are filled to the brim with all the Terrier-like qualities such as jolly and lively personality, inquisitive nature, higher tendency to bark and many more. These dogs have quite a bold and self-assured character and they certainly are highly mischievous by nature.
They are considered to be a pretty good option for a house pet. They know how to spread positivity and happiness in a home, they are highly affectionate towards their housemates, are generally fine with kids (if they are properly trained), and are happy to learn new things from their owners during the training sessions. These silky-coated dogs don’t like to be alone in the house for long periods of time, they require a moderate amount of daily exercise to remain contented but are also happy to stay beside their owners or inside the house for long periods. People who are looking to fill their lives with excitement and zeal and want a sweet and spunky canine can surely consider these Silky pooches from Australia.
The Silky Terriers are divided into different types on the basis of the several colors which their coat can be found in. Their coat is generally present in some form of a combination of these colors which are listed below:
|
Adaptability |
*** |
Sensitivity Level |
**** |
|
Affection Level |
***** |
Potential for mouthiness |
** |
|
Apartment-Friendly |
***** |
Drooling Potential |
* |
|
Barking Tendencies |
**** |
Energy Level |
**** |
|
Friendly towards dogs |
** |
Health Issues |
*** |
|
Friendly towards other animals |
** |
Intelligence |
**** |
|
Child Friendly |
*** |
Playfulness |
**** |
|
Exercise Needs |
*** |
Shedding Level |
** |
|
Grooming Needs |
**** |
Social Needs |
**** |
|
Good for novice owners |
*** |
Stranger Friendly |
*** |
|
Trainability |
**** |
Watchdog Ability |
**** |
|
Tolerates Heat |
**** |
Tolerates Cold |
** |
The Silky Terriers should be given a high-quality, nutrition filled dog food that is apt for the dog’s age and is specifically created for toy or any other small breeds. Also, it is very important to avoid high-fat content feeding material and cooked bones in case of Silky Terriers.
For proper development and growth, the Silky Terriers should receive a moderate amount of exercise on a regular basis. They love to play numerous games with their loved ones, are happy to go on short walks with their owners and are excited to perform some kind of productive activity or task. They do quite good in training exercises as well.
Training these dogs is quite fun and amusing for the owners. These dogs are always excited to learn new skills and commands from their trainers/owners. They are quite agreeable and responsive during the training sessions and doesn’t get distracted too often. Treats can be given to them as rewards but only in a limited amount.
The Silky Terriers only shed their fur on an occasional basis and that too in a limited fashion. Their grooming needs are a bit high but that is totally understandable considering the length and texture of their coat. Brushing of the coat should be done at least 2-3 times a week with a soft-bristled brush to avoid mat formation. A bath and trimming of nails once every month will keep these dogs neat and tidy. Their teeth can be brushed occasionally or when necessary.
Health-related problems which are commonly seen in the Silky Terriers are as follows:
Frequent visits to a vet’s clinic are not required for the Silky Terriers because they tend to remain fit and fine throughout their life-span.
The Silky Terriers were created when breeders in Australia crossbred the Australian Terriers with the Yorkshire Terriers. Their main aim was to improve the color of the coat of the Australian Terriers, specifically the blue and tan colored ones. The result of this breeding eventually led to the creation of Silky Terriers that we know and love today.
But, they were not always called as Silky Terriers and were instead given the name “Sydney Silky Terriers”. But in 1955, their name was changed to Australian Silky Terriers which is still the official name for this breed in Australia. Their name was again altered to Silky Terriers once they arrived in the United States of America.
These dogs were brought over to the U.S. by the American Servicemen during the World War II. People started appreciating their looks and personality and in the year 1959, they were recognized by AKC and three years later, its first standard was established.
