Australian Silky Terrier

The Australian Silky Terrier is a dainty little dog, similar to the Yorkshire Terrier in appearance. The Silky is alert and hardy and has a merry and affectionate nature. The Australian Silky Terrier is an alert and dainty dog. It is also a keen rat catcher and enjoys a good chase over the fields.

Good points of The Australian Silky Terrier

Alert
Affectionate
Dainty nature
Hardy
Makes a good pet

Take heed

No drawbacks known

Size

The most desirable weights of The Australian Silky Terrier are 8-101b (3.6-4.5kg). Height approximately 9in (23cm) at the withers.

Exercise

Despite its small stature the The Australian Silky Terrier has well-developed terrier instincts and is a first-class ratter It will adapt well to apartment living and town walks but is in its element chasing across the fields, getting that straight, silky coat into magnificent disarray.

Grooming

Ideally the The Australian Silky Terrier should have a wellgroomed appearance, which calls for a coat length of 5-6in (12.5-15cm) from behind the ears to the set-on of the tail. Legs from knees and hocks to feet should be free from long hair.

Feeding

Recommended: 5-70z (142-198g) of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added in equal part by volume; or 1 cupful of a dry food, complete diet, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to '/2 cup of hot or cold water.

Origin and history

The Australian (or Sydney) Silky Terrier was derived from crossing Yorkshire Terriers with the Australian Terrier, which has Norwich and Cairn terrier and probably also Dandie Dinmont in its make-up. The breed, which in America is shown in toy classes under the name of Silky Terrier, has been recognized in the United States since 1959 but is a relative newcomer to the United Kingdom , where separate standards now exist for the Australian Terrier and the Australian Silky Terrier.

SHOW STANDARD

General appearance.

TheThe Australian Silky Terrier dog is compact, moderately low set, of medium length with a refined structure but of sufficient substance to suggest the ability to hunt and kill domestic rodents. It should display terrier characteristics, embodying keen alertness, activity and soundness; the parted, straight silky hair should look well groomed.

Colour

Blue and tan, or grey-bue and tan - the richer the better. Blue on tail should be very dark. The distribution of the blue and tan as follows: silver-blue or fawn topknot desirable; tan around the base of the ears, the muzzle and on side of cheeks: blue from base of skull to tip of tail, running down the forelegs to near the knees and down the thighs to the hocks; tan line showing down the stifles; and tan from the knees and hocks to the toes and around the vent.

Head and skull

Of moderate length, slightly shorter in length from the tip of the nose to between the eyes than from the same position to the top rear of the occiput. The head must be strong and of terrier character, being moderately broad between the ears; the skull flat, without fullness between the eyes. Long fall of hair on foreface and cheeks is very obectionable. Fine silky topknot, not falling over the eyes. Nose should be black.

Tail

Should be docked and carried erect, but not over-gay.

Feet

Small, well padded, cat-like; closely knit toes with black nails.