Silky Terrier Dog Breed Information

The Silky Terrier is a small lap dog which is also known by the name, Sidney Silky Terrier, Australian Silky Terrier, and Silky Toy Terrier. As in its name, it has a long fine and silky hair that flows beautifully from head and body. It is most suited as a lap dog that thrives for human company. They are suitable for apartments as it does not need a big area for vigorous exercise.

The Silky Terrier is a small-sized dog breed which has a toy-like appearance. The head is wedge-shaped and fairly long with a dark, small, keen eyes. Their ears are high set, small, and erect. The body is low set and their legs are short which is not proportionate to the body size.

Silky Terrier is a curious and lively little dog, that makes a great companion for a family that is looking for a lap dog.

Origin and History

The origin of the Silky Terrier is in Australia towards the end of the 19th century. It was developed by crossing two breeds: Australian Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier.

The Silky Terrier was strictly bred as a companion dog who was not regularly involved in vermin or rat hunting, unlike other terriers. However, it can be involved in hunting and it is believed to be good at it.

The Australian National Kennel Club was founded in 1958. Silky Terrier was seen in America when American serviceman and women returned from Australia after World War II. The American Kennel Club accepted this breed as a member of the Toy Group in 1959.

Is Silky Terrier Child-Friendly?

The Silky Terrier is a great family companion and also do well in a family with children. They are playful and fun who can play with children making a great playmate. However, they do not tolerate harshness, if done so, they might even bite.

Younger children should be supervised when they interact with the Silky Terrier as small kids tend to pull and pinch. Therefore, children above 10 years of age do well with Silky Terrier.

Temperament, Behavior, and Personality

Temperament: The temperament of the Silky Terrier is friendly, alert, and spirited. They are so full of energy and thrives for the company of people. It is a very active dog that likes to be involved in the daily activities of the house. So, take them out with you while running, jogging or just while taking a stroll.

Behavior: The Silky Terrier thrives for human company and if they are left alone without any human interaction, they tend to get separation anxiety. Due to which they will show destructive behavior by barking constantly and biting stuff. Therefore, they should not be left alone for a long period of time on their own.

Personality: The personality of the Silky Terrier is intelligent and confident. They are very quick at learning new stuff but due to their stubbornness, they do not tend to follow it easily. They are affectionate towards its family and form a strong bond with them.

Trainability

Training the Silky Terrier is a challenging task to do as they are stubborn and are bosses of their own. Training should be started at an early age when they are more eager to please you.

Start with basic obedience training at an early age and slowly move to advance as they learn basic training. Rewarding them with delicious treats will help a lot as they are quick to respond to positive methods of training. However, do not force them on learning stuff as they might become afraid and defensive. develop a firm leadership and gently teach them.

Facts

• The Silky Terrier was originally named SilSidney Silky Terrier, which changed in Australia to Australian Silky Terrier in 1955. After moving to America, it was simply named Silky Terrier in the USA.
• The Australian standard approved the weight for the Silky Terrier from 8-10 pounds which previous was 6-12 pounds.

Health Issues

• Patellar Luxation: This condition occurs when the dog’s kneecap gets dislocated from its original place. It only gets to its normal position, once the quadriceps muscles in the hind legs get to relax and lengthen. In this condition, the dog hold of its leg while walking.
• Diabetes Mellitus: The disorder where the body cannot regulate the body sugar level is called diabetes mellitus. The symptoms are frequent thirst, urination, increase in appetite and loss of weight. It can be controlled by proper diet and management of insulin.

Colors

The Silky Terrier comes in the following colors:

• Black
• Black and Tan
• Blue
• Blue and Tan
• Cream
• Fawn
• Blue Silver and Tan
• Gray
• Gray and Tan
• Silver
• Platinum
• Silver and Tan
• Silver Black and Tan

Puppies

Cost: the average cost of the Silky Terrier puppy is between $600-$800 USD. However, if you consider adopting, it will cost somewhere around $300. In this way, a puppy will get a home and a family.

Height and Size: The average height of the Silky Terrier is between 8-10 inches whereas, the average weight is around 10 pounds.

Dog Breed Similar to Silky Terrier

Maltese

Biewer Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier

Australian Terrier

Skye Terrier

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