Tag: Australian Breeds

Called a terrier yet classified as a toy breed, the Silky Terrier is a joyful, active dog that loves to snuggle as much as play. This little breed truly is the best of both terrier and toy worlds. A beautiful coat and a lively personality, this dog is a pleasure to have in any living environment. Find out more about this versatile breed in the Best Bully Sticks Breed Spotlight on the Silky Terrier.

History & Background: First called the Sydney Silky, this breed hails from Australia and is the product of interbreeding the Yorkshire Terrier and the Australian Terrier. The goal of this breeding was to improve upon the Australian Terrier’s blue and tan coat. The Silky and Australian Terrier were recognized as the same breed for a long time and the Silky is very often mistaken for a Yorkie. After much breeding, the Silky Terriers were identified as a breed of their own, standards were set and the breed was officially called the Australian Silky Terrier.

After WWII, American servicemen brought home Silky Terriers and then hundreds of Silkies were imported from Australia after gaining popularity in the states. The AKC recognized this breed in 1959. This dog is primarily used as a companion dog, but still exhibits the terrier tendencies for hunting small animals, such as rodents.

Height: 9-10 inches

Weight: average 10 pounds

Coat: Just like the name gives away, the Silky Terrier sports a single, glossy and silky coat. The length of the coat falls below the body outline but isn’t so long that it touches the ground. A Silky has so much hair on the head that it seems to form a topknot. These dogs are groomed so that the hair around the face is parted down the middle and continues this way toward the full length of the body ending at the base of the tail. Despite the profuse amount of hair, the tail is covered, but not plumed and the ears are completely devoid of longer hair. The feet and legs of the Silky should have short hair and shouldn’t be covered up by the body coat. Read more