Australian Silky (Silky) Terrier: a brave watchman and companion. Australian Silky Terrier (Silky) Silky Terrier breed description

The Australian Silky Terrier is a small breed of dog from the terrier group. The breed developed in Australia, although its ancestors come from Great Britain. They are often confused with Yorkshire Terriers, but the Silky was created much later.

The ancestors of the breed were the Yorkshire terrier and, which in turn appeared from the wire-haired terriers brought to Australia. According to the records of the American Kennel Club, the breed originated in the late 19th century.

It was originally known as the Sydney silky, having originated in that city. Dogs living in Australia are mainly working and service dogs, and the Silky Terrier is a typical companion, although it is known for its ability to kill snakes.

Until 1929, the Australian Terrier, Australian Silky Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier were not separated into breeds. The dogs were born in the same litter and separated in appearance as they grew.

After 1932, crossbreeding was prohibited and in 1955 the breed received the official name - Australian Silky Terrier. In 1958 it was recognized by the Australian National Kennel Council.

After World War II, American soldiers serving in Australia also brought puppies of this breed home. In 1954, photographs of the dogs appeared in newspapers, creating popularity and hundreds of Silky Terriers were imported from Australia to the United States.

The American Kennel Club registered the breed in 1959, the British Kennel Club in 1965 and the dogs are now recognized by all major organizations in the English-speaking world and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

Description

Like other toy breeds, the Silky Terrier is a very small dog. Height at the withers is 23-26 cm, while girls are slightly smaller. Although the breed standard does not indicate the ideal weight for these dogs, the owners call 3.5-4.5 kg. They have a long body, approximately 20% longer than tall. But for a dog of his size, the Silky Terrier is incredibly muscular and strong.

All over the world they are mistaken for, and in fact these two breeds are close relatives.

It’s easy to guess from the name that the Silky Terrier’s coat is special—straight, glossy, and silky. It is long enough, but not to the extent that it interferes with movement, and the paws should be visible when looking at the dog from the side. On the head it is long enough to form a bun, but on the face and especially the ears, it is shorter.

There is only one acceptable color - black-backed: blue with fawn or grayish blue with fawn.

Character

Of all the small dogs, the Silkie Terrier is the most working breed. This is the case when the terrier is toy-sized, rather than when the toy is terrier-sized.

If you like terriers, but want a dog that is highly adaptable to different situations, these dogs are for you. They are very attached to people and form very strong relationships with their loving owners.

However, they are more independent than other dogs and can spend hours walking around the house on their own. Most small dogs suffer from boredom and loneliness if left alone, but not the Silky Terrier. In addition, they are tolerant of strangers and even friendly with them.

Proper socialization and training are very important for Silky Terriers, but they are quite social without it. Most of them are smart and brave; some may be shy with strangers.

Unlike most toy breeds, they have a good relationship with children. However, not with the smallest ones as they do not like sudden, rough movements and loud sounds. They will not attack, but this situation is stressful for them, and if the child hurts them, they may bite in self-defense. In general, if there are children over 6 years old in the family, then there should be no problems.

They are relatively tolerant of other dogs and can live in the same house if they know each other well. However, it is better if it is the same dog and of the opposite sex. The fact is that Australian Silky Terriers are slightly dominant, despite their size.

If they meet a strange dog, they immediately try to take a dominant position, although they are not as pugnacious as other terriers. However, they can jump into a fight and seriously injure a similarly sized dog or be harmed themselves by larger ones.

Most toy dogs get along well with other animals, but not the Silkie Terrier. There is still a lot of it in their blood and, as a result, the hunter’s instinct is strong. Surprisingly, in his homeland he earned fame as a snake hunter.

If you leave a silky terrier unattended in the yard, then with a high degree of probability he will soon bring you someone's corpse. If left unattended, they can kill a hamster or pig, even if they have known it for many years.

Accordingly, they don’t get along with cats either. Although proper training reduces aggression, they will still attack cats regularly.

Australian Silky Terriers are quite intelligent and learn quickly. They can perform well in agility. However, training is not so simple. Like all terriers, silkies are stubborn and sometimes capricious; they prefer to break the rules, even knowing that they will be punished.

A strong hand and character are needed to keep them in check. They are definitely more interested in pleasing themselves than their owner, and positive reinforcement in the form of treats works great. But still, Silk Terriers are less complex than other dwarf dogs and much smarter.

These are very active and energetic dogs, they have increased demands on exercise. A measured, languid walk is not enough; long walks are needed at least once a day. However, compared to other terriers, these are trifles and an ordinary owner can quite satisfy these requirements.

They are just as active at home and spend hours entertaining themselves. But it is important for owners to know that a bored silky terrier begins to have serious behavioral and even mental problems.

In particular, they can become timid, aggressive, destructive, and bark endlessly. To get rid of unwanted behavior, the dog needs to be loaded, trained and walked with it.

Anyone looking to buy a Silky Terrier needs to remember that they love to bark. And their voice is thin and ringing, and they bark in bursts. Training reduces this behavior, but even the calmest representatives of the breed bark more than other dogs.

Care

They need professional grooming several times a year and daily brushing. The minimum time that needs to be devoted to caring for a silky terrier is 15 minutes a day, removing dead hair, preventing tangles, and trimming.

Health

Silky Terriers are a very healthy breed, one of the healthiest among the dwarf ones. The average life expectancy ranges from 12 to 15 years.

They come from strong, working dogs and practically do not suffer from genetic diseases. If you decide to buy an Australian Silky Terrier, choose trusted kennels.

When buying terrier snares from unknown sellers, you risk money, time and nerves.

Take a look:

The Australian Silky Terrier is a small decorative dog with a beautiful flowing coat. Silkie, as he is also called, can be an excellent choice for those who are looking for a miniature companion with an original appearance and a good disposition. Due to its color and small size, it is often confused with the Yorkshire Terrier, but naturally these are two different breeds.

With the beginning of British colonization, new breeds of dogs began to appear in Australia, among which were small terriers brought by the British. One of the first creations of Australian breeders was the Australian Terrier. It was he who became the basis for a new breed - the Australian Silky Terrier. Presumably, selection was targeted, and snares appeared as a result of crossing Australian dogs and. Dandie Dinmont Terriers also took part in the program. At the beginning of its development, the breed was known as the Sydney Silky Dog.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Australian, Sydney and Yorkshire terriers had no clear division. In 1929, each breed had its own standard. But even after this, breeding work proceeded at a very sluggish pace and gained momentum only after 1955. Then the name Australian Silky Terrier was officially approved. In 1958, the breed was recognized by the National Kennel Club of Australia.

After World War II, American military personnel exported hundreds of representatives of the breed to the United States, where these dogs became extremely popular. Already in 1959, the American Kennel Club granted championship status to the Silky Terrier. And in 1965 they became known internationally thanks to the recognition of the United Kennel Club (KCU). Although Silky is a terrier, all organizations classified him in the group of decorative dogs, believing that they would be safer with small brothers than with large ones.

Video about the Australian Silky Terrier breed:

Appearance and standards

According to the standards, the Australian Silky Terrier is a small decorative dog, compact, slightly elongated, with long soft hair and a pointed muzzle. Height at withers 20-23 cm, weight 3.5-4.5 kg

The head is moderately long, with a pronounced stop. The muzzle is pointed, the nose is black. The jaws are strong, with the correct bite. The eyes are small and oval. The ears are dark, erect, set high and wide apart, and have pointed tips. The auricle is thin.

Neck with a slight bend, medium length. The body is moderately long, the topline is level. The loin of these dogs is strong. The chest is moderately broad and deep with prominently sprung ribs. The tail can be docked, in which case it is set high and held in an upright position. The undocked tail should be in balance with the overall size. It may be slightly curved, but it does not roll over the back. The legs are strong, straight, not long. The paws are small, well compressed, which is why they resemble a cat's. The pads are thick, the claws are dark.

The coat is straight, flowing, fine and shiny. Thanks to its silky texture, it is soft to the touch. The length should not interfere with the dog's movement, so there should be a gap between the lower horizontal edge of the hair, which falls with the body, and the ground. There is short hair on the front and hind legs, on the ears, on the back of the nose, around the eyes and on the lower jaw. On the head, between the ears, the hair is long, parted and lying on the sides, and should not cover the muzzle. There is no undercoat.

The recognized color of the snare is blue and tan. The coat on the body can have all shades of blue, a rich color is preferable. The hair on the tail is much darker. Fawn tan on the ears, muzzle, cheekbones, around the anus, and on the lower part of the legs. The blue is clear, without darkening, starting at the base of the skull, extending to the tip of the tail, descending along the front legs to the wrist, along the hind legs to the hocks. It is very difficult to describe the original coat color, so it is better to take a photo of Australian snares as a guide.

The difference between a snare and a Yorkshire terrier

Silkies are often confused with Yorkies. It’s not at all surprising, because the breeds are related, have a common color and size, but that’s where their similarities end. Let's look at the main characteristics that will help distinguish the Australian Terrier from the Yorkshire Terrier:

• The head and jaw of the snare are larger than those of the Yorkie, and the muzzle is longer;
• Australian terriers are larger and heavier than Yorkshire terriers;
• The ears, tail, nose and lower part of the legs of the snare are covered with short hair, while those of the Yorkshire terrier are covered with long hair;
• Silka's hair is softer and lighter, this is noticeable even in the photo;
• The Yorkie's body is square, while the Australian Terrier's body is stretched;
• Show snares are much easier to care for;
• Snares are more durable and strong, they are better suited for long walks. Roughly speaking, they are not as decorative as Yorkshire terriers.

Character

The Australian Silky Terrier is a friendly and energetic dog that enjoys lively walks and games. In general, it dismantles all the qualities of a terrier - vigilance, activity, courage, self-esteem. Silky becomes very attached to his owner, and the rest of the family is treated affectionately and friendly.

They get along well with children of any age, but they are still more interested in older children. The size of the Australian Terrier does not allow the Australian Terrier to be a guard of his pack, but thanks to his courage and vigilance, he will perfectly cope with the role of a guard and will definitely warn of a visit with a ringing bark. He is wary of strangers. The Australian Silky Terrier was initially perceived only as a decorative dog, but the hunting and territorial instinct of its ancestors periodically makes itself felt. If in the summer the dog goes to the summer cottage, then you can forget about moles and field mice.

Judging by the reviews of the owners, silky terriers have a wonderful character. They are cheerful, playful, cheerful. They quickly understand what is wanted from them and adapt to the character and lifestyle of the family. They always want to be close to the owner.

Silks are smart and very easy to train. Recent studies have shown that among 100 ornamental breeds they occupy an honorable 20th place in terms of learning ability. They can be very temperamental, they can be stubborn at home, they will bully big dogs on walks, but with proper upbringing they show humility and obedience. They love to be petted and receive praise.

Silky, as befits a decorative dog, should live in an apartment or in a private house. It is worth saying that indoors they behave quite calmly, but as soon as they find themselves outside, they forget about their intelligence, their freshly combed fur coat, and run around headlong, splashing out the accumulated energy. It is very important to devote time to your dog every day, to play with it, so that you no longer have enough energy for pranks.

Since snares do not have undercoat, they get very cold in the cold season and need additional insulation.

Diet

The Silkie Terrier can eat both natural food and commercial feed. Breeders recommend choosing the second option, since it makes it easier to provide the dog with a balanced diet. If the food does not belong to a line designed specifically for long-haired breeds, then it is recommended to add vitamins for skin and coat to the diet.

Care

Caring for a snare is not as difficult as it seems at first glance, but it is also not as easy as caring for a short-haired dog. From childhood, you need to teach your puppy to bathe and blow dry, as well as brush his teeth, ears and get his hair cut. In the future these will be regular procedures.

The terrier's silky coat is prone to matting, and therefore it is recommended to brush it daily. Use cosmetics designed for dogs with long, soft hair. Products for Yorkshire Terriers are often suitable. The tangles cannot be combed out; they are carefully disassembled. They bathe the snares once a week. As necessary, the dog's ears are cleaned, the eyes are kept clean, and the teeth are brushed and the claws are trimmed as they grow.

The Silky Terrier is exhibited as naturally as possible. Before the show, the fur is trimmed a little. If desired, dogs can be given short haircuts at home.

Health and life expectancy

There are several diseases in the breed to which dogs have a genetic predisposition:

• Allergies;
• Tracheal collapse;
• Diabetes;
• Patella dislocation;
• Elbow dysplasia;
• Epilepsy;
• Herniated discs;
• Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head;
• Malassezia dermatitis;
• Cataract;
• Urolithiasis;
• Corneal ulcer;
• Short hair syndrome.

Choosing a puppy. Price

Representatives of the breed began to appear in Russia after 2010. The livestock is still very small, but in large cities there are already kennels that breed Australian Silky Terriers and offer good quality puppies. Before purchasing a puppy, you need to read about the breed, find out about kennels, call and talk to the breeder.

You need to choose a puppy very carefully. Scammers often pass off Yorkshire terrier puppies as rarer and more expensive snares.

It is very important to evaluate the merits and character of parents. It is likely that external characteristics and temperament are inherited. A small puppy should meet the standard as much as possible. The coat should not be hard to the touch, the bite should be scissor-shaped, the tail should not be kinked, and the back should be straight. The origin of the baby must be confirmed by documents from the RKF or the country in which he was born. The buyer must be provided with a veterinary passport and a sales contract. It will be a huge plus if the parents have been tested for genetic diseases characteristic of the breed. Puppies can be much darker in color. According to the standard, by the age of 18 months the puppy should finally turn blue.

The Australian Silky Terrier (Silky Terrier) is a very rare and unknown breed in Russia, but extremely interesting. This is a small, beautiful terrier with silky long hair, expressive eyes, a sharp mind and a reckless, cheerful disposition.

Mind and Feelings in an Energetic Package

Silky Terriers are so intelligent that amaze with their intelligence, they have a very developed connection with their owner, they practically understand everything without words. Of course, as with any other breed, you need to take care of the Silky Terrier, give him time for games and training, then your Silky will be grateful and devoted to you all his life.

One of the best character traits of the Silk Terrier is their ability to adapt to the mood and character of their owner. He can be affectionate and gentle, cheerful and carefree, or very serious and focused. Although the Silkie Terrier is a small decorative dog, it still hasn’t lost its terrier skills as a hunter, it is an excellent mouse and not only... It gets along well with other breeds of dogs and with other animals.

What is he like?

The average size of the Australian Silky Terrier is 24-25 cm at the withers, and the average weight is 4-5 kg; females are slightly smaller.

The color of an adult Silk Terrier is blue and tan; the brighter and more saturated it is, the better. Puppies are born black and tan, but by 18 months the coat grows back and changes color to blue. According to my observations, bitches can change color throughout their lives, it can become lighter or darker, I believe this is due to changes in hormonal levels at certain points in the bitch’s cycle.

Silky Terriers do not shed, their coat is similar to human hair and has no undercoat. Dogs of this breed practically do not smell.

Taking care of the snares

Caring for Silky Terriers is absolutely simple. It is enough to wash the dog and comb it thoroughly once every 7-10 days (depending on the quality of the coat). Cosmetics are used for long-haired dog breeds and are selected individually for each dog, according to their coat type. After washing with shampoo, be sure to use a conditioner.

As with all dog breeds, it is recommended to clean the ears with lotion and rinse the eyes with drops once a week to prevent eye diseases and simply to remove dust and cleanse the tear duct. Be sure to take good care of your Silk Terrier's teeth: they need to be brushed with a special dog toothpaste and brush to keep the teeth clean and healthy. Once a month, the Silky Terrier needs a certain grooming - a haircut, which is done according to the breed standard. This is not difficult, and your breeder will always tell you how to do it, or, if desired, do the grooming himself.

The average life expectancy of a Silk Terrier is 12 years.

Alert and fearless hunter

Initially, Australian Silky Terriers were used as hunters of small rodents and snakes. Snares are also believed to have served people, protecting property or houses; they were used instead of bells, since these small dogs are very vigilant and have excellent hearing and a sensitive sense of smell.

It is impossible to say that the Silk Terrier is a full guard: the dogs are small and cannot truly protect you, but since they are very loyal and completely fearless, they will rush into battle for their beloved owner, even if it is an unequal battle.

In general, the Silk Terrier is a peaceful breed, they love children very much. We are ready to play ball with the child all day long and bring different objects. Communication with a person is the best reward for them.

Silky terriers bark quite loudly, they usually bark for business, but if you encourage it, the silky terrier may take this for his work and will try to please you, perceiving any rustle as “stranger.”

Health snare

Like all dog breeds, Silk Terriers have breed-specific diseases, such diseases include:

Dislocation of the kneecap;
diabetes;
tracheal collapse;
eye diseases (progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, persistent pupillary membrane (PPM), retinal dysplasia (RD)).

For breeding it is good to have tests for eye diseases and tests for luxation of the kneecap - patella test. In Russia this is not required, but if you want to have a healthy population of puppies, it is better to do these tests.

How to choose a puppy

When buying an Australian Silky Terrier puppy, pay attention to its parents, see if you like the color, size, expression of the parents’ faces, because your puppy will probably inherit something from them. Make sure that the puppy is not afraid and calmly approaches you.

The puppy should have shiny fur, it should be cheerful and active, which indicates the health, proper nutrition and socialization of the puppy. Be sure to ask the breeder to tell you in detail about the puppy’s parents, what their character is, who the puppy will be more like, how to properly care for the coat, and how to feed it. Don't forget to find out about vaccinations, when they were given, whether you can walk with the puppy and when to get the next vaccination. The more questions you ask, the better.

Any breeder will be happy to put his puppy in the safe hands of a person who does not just take a toy into the house, but wants to have a friend and companion for many years and, of course, will provide his pet with reliable and proper care. Please note that along with the puppy you are given documents for the dog (puppy card, sales contract, veterinary passport with vaccinations, recommendations for raising a puppy). In our nursery, each puppy, in addition to documents, is required to receive gifts (food for the first time with a measuring cup, a travel bowl, a toy, a discount card to a veterinary clinic and laboratory).

By purchasing a puppy from a kennel, you are guaranteed to receive a purebred dog. Feel free to call your breeder and consult with him on any questions related to raising a puppy, show career and breeding use.

Snare puppies – price depending on class

The average price for an Australian Silky Terrier puppy is 30,000–40,000 rubles. The price varies depending on the class of dog.

Pet class puppies(dogs not for breeding or for a show career) cost from 10,000 to 20,000 rubles, depending on the defect (bad bite, improper coat quality, anomalies in the dog’s anatomy).

Breeding class puppies(dogs can take part in breeding, purebred dogs, but with slight deviations, the color is lighter, there are minor deviations from the standard, but it is possible to correct them by a breeding producer correctly selected for a given dog) cost from 20,000 rubles to 35,000 rubles.

Show class puppies(dogs for an exhibition career and for breeding, competitive dogs that will show high results at exhibitions and are as close as possible to the ideal, the breed standard) cost from 35,000 rubles to 60,000 rubles.

Raising a puppy

Raising an Australian Silky Terrier puppy is quite easy.

Of course, as with any dog, snares need to be dealt with. Your puppy should know the simplest commands that will be useful for the rest of his life. An obedient dog is the joy and pride of the owner. To do this, you can take an obedience course with a trainer, or teach your snare commands using training books. To ensure your puppy grows strong and healthy, be sure to take him for walks outside. Although the Silky Terrier is a small dog, he has a lot of energy, he needs to be allowed to “blow off steam” and enjoy freedom. For the Silky Terrier, movement is life.

What's the best way to feed snares?

It is better to feed the Australian Silky Terrier with ready-made food, of which there is a large quantity on the market now. If you buy a puppy from a kennel, the breeder will always tell you what food is best to feed, tell you what adult dogs and puppies of the kennel eat, in what quantity and how many times a day to feed your puppy. Ready-made food already contains all the vitamins and microelements that a puppy needs, so additional vitamins are given mainly only during the period of rapid growth, from 3 to 7 months, these are calcium vitamins and supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin, for the proper development of bones, ligaments, cartilage and joints. Adult dogs can be given vitamins for their skin and coat as needed, for example, in the autumn-spring periods, or in winter, when the radiators are running and the air in the apartment is quite dry.

To the exhibition for success

The Australian Silky Terrier belongs to the 3rd group of breeds - terriers.

When preparing a snare terrier for an exhibition, you must first of all pay attention to the psychological side. From an early age, a puppy needs to be taught to be in unfamiliar surroundings, to visit crowded places more often and, of course, to be accustomed to the company of its fellow dogs so that your dog is not afraid of large crowds of people and other people’s dogs at an exhibition. It’s good if, before the exhibition where your dog will take part, you come at least a couple of times just to see what the exhibition is, how it goes and what the dog needs to be able to do in the ring. When your dog gets used to it and is not afraid, start teaching it how to stand and run properly around the ring.

Of course, your Silky Terrier must be prepared not only psychologically and be able to stand and run, but you must also pay attention to its appearance. The Australian Silky Terrier must be well groomed. How to do show grooming and what is needed for this, you can always ask your breeder, he will definitely tell you what cosmetics are best suited to the quality of your snare’s coat, what combs are best to use so that your snare is irresistible in the ring.

Sport is the best activity

Silky Terriers - very athletic dogs. Since these little dogs have a lot of energy and are very active, sports would be the best choice for them.

Silks perform well in agility, they jump high and easily pass all obstacles.

Silky freestyle is very suitable for dancing with dogs, they are very graceful and smart, so they are great at different elements in the dance, and standing on their hind legs and spinning is simply in their blood.

The Silkie Terrier will be an excellent mouse hunter; in your summer cottage, you will forget about the moles in the garden, and the “voles” will stop coming into your house to feast on your supplies.

Let's act in a movie

As for work, Silky terriers have proven themselves in films. He can handle any difficult acting job! This smart little dog understands everything that is asked of her. Silkie gets along well with fellow actors, and directors are happy with them. The dogs of our kennel have repeatedly starred in feature films, television programs and series (for example, “Let's Wake Up Together,” “All Inclusive-2,” “Pyatnitsky,” “Mom Detective,” “Long Way to You,” “Clever Man,” “Caution”) children", "Lawyers").

Be happy with the snare!

Silky terriers have many advantages: small size, which is convenient for urban conditions and small apartments; stable psyche; excellent health; boundless love for a person; easy care, no undercoat, which is suitable for people with allergies. In five years of working with the Australian Silky Terrier breed, I have not found any disadvantages in the breed. I fell in love with this breed at first sight and I think this love will last a lifetime.

Make the right choice and be happy with your new pet!

Always happy to help,
Tatyana Titova,
kennel of Australian silky terriers (silky terriers) – “Beautiful Life”,

The Australian Silky Terrier or Silky Terrier is one of the smallest dogs that is actively used as guard dogs, herding dogs and hunting dogs. Despite the deceptive appearance of a soft toy, the Silkie Terrier is an excellent human assistant.

History of the breed

The breed originates in the 19th century in Australia. There is no exact data on which breeds the Silkie terriers came from, but researchers agree that they were Australian, Yorkshire and Skye terriers; most likely, the Norwich Terrier and Cairn Terriers are also distant relatives of the Silkie. Crossbreeding occurred due to the constant import of new dog breeds to the mainland during the migration here from Eurasia and Africa.

Over the course of a hundred years, the appearance of the breed changed: they were both wire-haired and broken-haired. These dogs came to America and Europe in 1945, when soldiers who were in Australia brought these puppet terriers to their homeland. The dog was especially popular in the USA, and already in the late 50s. the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club, and a few years later the first breed standard was approved

Exterior

The Silkie Terrier has a strong and dense build. Silky Terrier of small stature: males – 24-26 cm, females 22 -24 cm, dogs’ weight is also small no more than 7 kg. The dog's head is small, with a flat forehead. The Silky Terrier has a very penetrating and attentive gaze, small almond-shaped eyes of a dark color. The ears are very small, the dog holds them vertically. The neck of these dogs is very graceful, medium in size with a scruff, and the body is slightly elongated.

The tail of these dogs is docked. The front and rear legs are straight, muscular, strong; the fifth toes are removed from puppies. The coat is very long, up to 16 cm, thin and silky to the touch, the coat is shorter at the bottom of the paws. Silkie terriers have a black-backed color - blue or grayish-blue with fawn, they can also be red and sandy; Moreover, puppies are always born black, but over time the color changes.

Character

very energetic and inquisitive friend. These dogs quickly become attached to their owner and love children most of all in the family. However, when playing with children, they will not tolerate being grabbed by the tail - they may bite the offender in response to rudeness. With all his behavior, the dog will constantly try to earn the praise of his owner. These dogs get along well with any pets; they do not even show aggression towards cats.

Silky Terriers are very active, but despite this they are very obedient and balanced animals, they can be called “intelligent dogs.” They treat strangers with suspicion, but if there are no provocations, they will not behave aggressively, although they will immediately notify the owner of the approach of a stranger by barking. You can’t leave Silky Terriers on their own for a long time - they can start having fun with home furnishings.

These dogs may attempt to dominate the house and if the owner provokes them, the animal will become very capricious and demanding. Another negative character trait is animal pugnacity– very often Silk Terriers get into fights with dogs, sometimes even larger than themselves.

Australian terriers love walking, playing with balls and digging holes; if they smell a mouse or rat while walking, they will immediately chase it. Australian Terriers love to travel with their owners and behave well on the road.

Care and education, nutrition

The Silkie Terrier is a wonderful lap dog, it practically does not shed and does not smell– an excellent choice for people prone to allergies. Australian Terriers require early socialization. Silkie Terriers are hyper-reactive and need long walks and games. These dogs are very easy to train, but the exercises must be varied, otherwise the dog will get bored. During classes, you should not use physical force or shouting, snares really don’t like this, they will gladly please the owner for any encouragement and punishment.

It is very important to properly care for your Silky Terrier's coat. It must be thoroughly combed every other day, and trimmed every three to four months - dead hairs must be plucked out, and the dog must be combed daily. The fur around the eyes and ears can be trimmed. It is necessary to bathe the dog as it gets dirty, but at least once every month and a half with a special mild shampoo and conditioner for the coat.

You need to carefully monitor the animal’s ears and, if necessary, clean them with a flannel cloth dipped in boiled water. It is also necessary to constantly examine your eyes and rub them with a damp cotton pad. After returning from the street, it is necessary to inspect the animal’s paws, since the limbs can be injured from city roads.

Silkie terriers are very often fed from the master's table, this is acceptable, the main thing is that the dog does not eat flour, fatty, smoked and pickled foods; it is also better not to give the dog chicken bones. The dog should not be overfed, and be sure to include fermented milk products in your diet. It would also be correct to choose a special ready-made food, especially for puppies; adult dogs need to be given additional vitamins and microelements.

Health

Australian Silky Terriers are quite healthy and live up to 15 years. However, the dog is still predisposed to certain diseases:

• Epilepsy.
• Diabetes.
• Skin diseases.
• Thyroid diseases.
• Dislocation of the kneecap.
• Various eye diseases.

Breed photo

Australian Silky Terrier (Silky) is a small and cute dog that looks like a Yorkshire Terrier. It received full development and recognition in Australia. To this day, Silkie is a rare guest in Russia. Get to know her better and you will undoubtedly like her.

Australian Silky Terrier - and today. Dogs of this breed have long and silky hair, which is why they got their name. Despite Silka's small height and weight.

Silky has a visual similarity to. However, the first impression is deceptive and noticeable only to those who are not very familiar with representatives of these two breeds. If York and Silkie are placed side by side, you will notice that they are not that much alike.

Please do not confuse the Silkie and Yorkshire Terrier breeds. They have only related roots, since Yorkies participated in the development of a new breed.

According to the description of the breed, the Australian Silky Terrier can show itself fully as. He is prescribed the following characteristics:

1. Adapts well to the environment.
2. Has high trainability and obedience.
3. He requires an active lifestyle and moderate physical activity. These traits in the Australian Silky Terrier are derived from hunting Wirehaired Terriers.
4. It has compact dimensions, an elegant body structure and strong bones.
5. Capable of hunting small rodents and even snakes.

Origin story

The Australian Silky Terrier breed is quite new and very controversial. There are many omissions in the history of its origin. In fact, it dates back to the end of the 18th century. It happened as follows.

Around 1830, the owner brought a Wire-haired terrier bitch, which had a shiny coat of an incomparable dark blue color, to Great Britain for mating with a luxurious Yorkshire terrier male. As a result, wonderful puppies were born, which gave rise to a derivative of the new breed.

There is information that Skye Terriers and Aboriginal Terriers, who in turn carried the genes of Cairn Terriers and Dinmont Terriers, participated in the appearance of Silkie. Unfortunately, there are no official documents about Silka’s appearance, or they are kept secret.

The Silky Terrier breeder later emigrated from England to Australia to the city of Sydney, where he successfully continued the breeding program for a new breed of dogs. His efforts were crowned with success.

The Australian Silky Terrier breed met all the author's ideas. She quickly attracted and fell in love with the public, and then became popular far beyond Australia.

In 1933, the breed was registered by the Australian Kennel Club, and in 1959 it was recognized in America. In Russia, the Australian Silky Terrier breed is little known.

Previously, the Australian Silky Terrier breed was known as the Sydney Silky Terrier, sometimes it is simply called the Silky Terrier, and Silkie is a diminutive name.

Exhibition standard

The breed standard received registration in the FCI standard under number No. 236 on December 5, 2012. Group of terriers, without working tests. The main purpose of the Australian Silky Terrier is as a companion dog. According to the standard he has:

A deviation from the standard is any discrepancy: high paws, shortened body, bulging eyes, hard hair, black or too light coat color, drooping ears, a ring tail, hunchback, short muzzle, malocclusion and other defects.

Main settings

The height of males at the withers is 23-26 cm; females may have lower or the same height.
The weight of adult dogs is up to 4.5 kg. The average lifespan is 13-15 years.

Difference from the Australian Terrier

The Silky Terrier differs from the regular Australian Terrier primarily in the quality of its coat. The terrier has a hard coat, 6 cm long, and also has a hard undercoat. The weight of terriers reaches 6.5 kg, and the height is 25 cm. The silky terrier has a coat that is almost floor-length, soft, flowing, and its dimensions will be smaller.

There are differences in both character and behavior. Australian terriers are still used as working hunting dogs, but their silky brother quickly took a place on the owner's soft pillows and is a luxury item at social functions.

Features of training

Despite his luxurious appearance, the Silkie Terrier has retained the call of his ancestors and can become a working dog. With proper training, it becomes a shepherd for small-hoofed animals, a guard and a hunter for small fur-bearing animals and rodents. Such a dog is ready to work tirelessly for the benefit of people.

Otherwise, this is an ordinary dog ​​from , it is a companion and a wonderful, devoted friend.

Who is this dog suitable for?

The breed is suitable for people leading an active lifestyle. Snares for those who respect walks in the fresh air. The Silky Terrier is an alternative breed for people who like Yorkies, Cairns or.

The Australian “baby” will give everyone a head start. Silky is ideal for keeping in a city apartment, as it practically does not shed. It doesn't take up much space.

But for homebodies, phlegmatic people or busy people, such a silky dog ​​will be a burden; it is not suitable for elderly people either. There is no need to get one for those who do not have the money and time to care for the silky coat of a pet.

Health and possible problems

In general, the Australian Silky Terrier can be considered a healthy breed. It is this feature that distinguishes him from the variety of dogs in the dwarf category. When properly bred, Silkies should not have genetic diseases.

Rare diseases

1. Legg-Calvé-Perters disease, when blood flow to the head of the hip joint deteriorates and it begins to die. Symptoms of the disease appear before the age of 6 months. Treatment is only surgical.
2. Dislocation of the kneecap. This problem is common to many dwarf dogs. In this case, the dog can lead a normal life or become disabled, it’s all a matter of chance.
3. Diabetes mellitus, in this case the pet cannot be cured one hundred percent. He must be on insulin injections and a strict diet for the rest of his life.
4. Pancreatitis. Pancreatic disease is most often acquired due to poor feeding.
5. Trachea problem. The disease can manifest itself due to physical fatigue or excessive overload.

Don’t let the list of diseases scare you; if the puppy was purchased from healthy parents and is maintained properly, then it should be free from all adversity.

Features of care

The Australian Silky Terrier requires standard grooming. He needs:

1. Comb the fur to avoid tangles. You can't cut your hair.
2. Bathe your pet as soon as it gets dirty, no more than once a week.
3. Maintain hygiene of eyes, ears and teeth.
4. Inspect paw pads for cuts.
5. At a temperature of -5 C, it is advisable to walk in clothes.
6. Treat for fleas and worms once every 3 months.
7. Treat annually against ticks from May to October.
8. Vaccinate on schedule.

Feeding options

You can feed your Silky Terrier premium or holistic dry food. Dry food is properly balanced and provides the dog’s body with useful substances. If desired, Silky can be fed natural food.

With a natural diet, you will need to add fish oil to your diet. It is highly undesirable to alternate between natural ones.

Price for adults and puppies

The Silkie breed is a novelty for Russia. You can buy purebred Silky Terrier puppies in kennels of the Russian Federation, of which there are not so many. Little Silkie is similar to York and it is important not to make a mistake here.

When buying an Australian Silky Terrier puppy, bet on a trusted breeder; otherwise, you can buy a crossbreed from just about anyone.

If you are seriously thinking about buying a puppy of this rare breed, then know that the price is quite high, approximately 50 thousand rubles. Cheap offers for the sale of Silka are a hundred percent deception. Adult dogs are sold much cheaper than puppies. Taking this factor into account, an adult Silkie will cost you 25-30 thousand rubles.

Useful video

Watch a very interesting video that will tell you in detail about this wonderful breed. You will also learn the main differences between Silkie and Yorkshire Terrier.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Australian Silky Terrier breed has many fans in its homeland. However, every coin has a downside. Let's look at the pros and cons of Silka.

You can walk Silky within the city limits only on a leash; due to his hunting instinct and cocky disposition, he can run away or die.