Dog Breed Guide

Australian Silky Terrier

Profile

Size

Extra Small

Country of origin

Australia

Origin

Early 20th century

Bred for

Companion, Ratting

Height

23 - 26cm (9 - 10in)

Weight

3.5 - 4.5kg (8 - 10lb)

Life span

12 - 15 years

A small terrier with a long, fine, straight, glossy coat like silk. The hair parted down the middle of the head is adorable. The color is blue and tan. It resembles the Yorkshire Terrier but is a size larger, with a sturdier, more terrier-like head and body.

Bright, lively and curious, the Silky is small but brave, with a terrier's spirit. It is affectionate with its family and loves to play. It barks readily at strangers and noises.

With no undercoat it sheds little, but the long coat tangles easily, so it needs frequent brushing. Small as it is, it needs a fair amount of exercise, so never skip its daily walks.

Good to know

The breed arose in Australia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries from crosses between the Australian Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. It was bred as a companion for city families, but with terrier blood in its veins it also has the courage to kill rats and snakes.

At first it was bred to different standards in New South Wales, home of Sydney, and Victoria, home of Melbourne. The dogs were called Sydney Silkies and Victorian Silkies, and the two cities are said to have disagreed over how the dog should look.

The standards were later combined, and the name was unified as Australian Silky Terrier. The American Kennel Club recognized it in 1959 as the Silky Terrier.