Breed History:

The Australian Silky Terrier, commonly called the Silky Terrier, originated in Australia during the late 19th century. The breed was developed by crossing the Australian Terrier with the Yorkshire Terrier to combine the Australian Terrier's hardiness with the Yorkshire Terrier's elegant, silky coat.

Originally bred to hunt rats, snakes, and other small vermin, the Australian Silky Terrier quickly became popular as both a capable working terrier and an affectionate companion. Despite its small size, it retains the bold, energetic temperament characteristic of terrier breeds.

Today, the Australian Silky Terrier is cherished worldwide as an intelligent, lively, and loyal companion dog.

Gender	Height	Weight
Male	23–26 cm	4–5 kg
Female	21–25 cm	3.5–4.5 kg

Size: Small

Life Expectancy: 12–15 years

Breed Appearance:

The Australian Silky Terrier is a compact, refined, and elegant toy terrier.

The breed commonly features:

• Small wedge-shaped head

• Fine, moderately long muzzle

• Dark oval eyes with an alert expression

• Small V-shaped erect ears

• Compact, well-balanced body

• High-set tail (natural or docked where legally permitted)

Its coat is long, straight, silky, and glossy, lying flat along the body.

Common coat colours include:

• Blue and tan

• Silver-blue and tan

• Steel blue and tan

The coat parts naturally along the spine and gives the breed its distinctive elegant appearance.

Breed Type – Companion and Terrier:

The Australian Silky Terrier is an intelligent, spirited, and affectionate companion.

It is known for being:

• Loyal and devoted

• Bold and confident

• Intelligent and curious

• Energetic and playful

• Alert and watchful

Although small, the breed retains strong terrier instincts and enjoys exploring, chasing small animals, and investigating its surroundings.

Training:

The Australian Silky Terrier is intelligent and learns quickly.

Training should focus on:

• Early socialisation

• Positive reinforcement methods

• Basic obedience training

• Recall exercises

• Mental enrichment through games and puzzle toys

The breed excels in:

• Obedience

• Agility

• Trick training

• Earthdog and terrier activities

Short, engaging training sessions help keep the dog's attention.

Health & Care:

The Australian Silky Terrier is generally healthy but may occasionally be prone to:

• Patellar luxation

• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease

• Tracheal collapse

• Diabetes mellitus

• Dental disease

Routine veterinary care, good dental hygiene, and maintaining a healthy weight help support long-term health.

Living Conditions:

The Australian Silky Terrier adapts well to many living environments.

Suitable homes include:

• Apartments

• Houses with secure yards

• Urban and suburban homes

• Families, couples, and seniors

The breed enjoys spending time with its family and does not do well when left alone for extended periods.

Exercise:

The Australian Silky Terrier has moderate exercise requirements.

Recommended activities include:

• Daily walks

• Interactive play sessions

• Fetch and chase games

• Puzzle toys

• Agility or obedience activities

Regular mental stimulation is important to prevent boredom.

Grooming:

The long silky coat requires regular maintenance.

• Brushing 3–4 times per week to prevent tangles

• Occasional trimming around the feet and face

• Bathing every 3–6 weeks

• Routine ear cleaning and nail trimming

• Regular dental care

The breed sheds very little but requires consistent grooming to keep the coat in good condition.

Advantages:

• Loyal and affectionate companion

• Intelligent and easy to train

• Adaptable to apartment living

• Low shedding

• Alert and makes an excellent watchdog

• Long lifespan

Disadvantages:

• Requires frequent coat maintenance

• Can bark excessively if not properly trained

• Strong prey drive toward small animals

• May be stubborn at times

• Can develop separation anxiety if left alone frequently

• Needs regular mental stimulation

• Fragile around very rough handling by small children