Australian Silky Terrier

The Australian Silky Terrier is a breed of dog developed by crossing the Yorkshire Terrier with the Australian Terrier

Appearance

The average Australian Silky Terrier is about nine inches at the withers, and weights around 8 to 10 pounds. It has a longer head than his Yorkshire Terrier counterpart, but shorter than the Australian Terrier, without the 'leather' up the nose. The coat is also between the two breeds from which it was originally evolved. It should only be five to six inches long, and have a silky texture. But it should not have the length of his Yorkshire Terrier ancestor, or the the harshness of his Australian Terrier forebears.

Temperament

He also has a temperament more akin to the Australian Terrier. The Silky is shown in some countries in the Toy Group, but in Europe, he is more correctly classed as a Terrier.

History

The Australian Silky Terrier developed as a separate breed around the middle of last century. The society ladies of Sydney, the largest city in Australia, required a terrier that was nicer to fondle than the Australian Terrier, but still with the ability to catch rats and other vermin which plagued those early Australian properties. So, the Yorkshire Terrier was crossed with the Australian Terrier, and the Australian Silky Terrier was born.

At first it was called the Sydney Silky. In these early days, the three breeds were also born in the same litter. In Australia, before puppies were registered on the Stud Books, a judge was required to inspect litters to determine which puppies were to be registered as Sydney Silkies, which were Australian Terriers and which were Yorkshire Terriers. In today's show rings, we still see thowbacks to these original three breeds. However, the Australian Silky Terrier has definitely developed individuality over the last half a century.