Silky Terrier |
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The Silky Terrier was originally developed in Australia from terriers of British origin. In America it is recognized as the "Silky Terrier" but in its native Australia and around the world it is called the "Australian Silky Terrier." Like its cousin terriers, it was bred to flush out rodents from farmyards and barns, but in reality was generally used solely as a companion, although it gained a bit of a reputation for killing snakes. It is also a fair watchdog for the household. The Silky stands an average 9 to10 inches tall at the shoulder, and is slightly longer in the back than of height. It is rather low to the ground, and although it is rather delicate of bone, it is sturdy and gives the impression of having the strength and hardiness to successfully hunt and dispose of vermin. The Silky Terrier shares they type of coat presented by the Yorkshire Terrier: it is blue and tan, and very long, silky, fine and straight; blue extends over the back and head, and the tan is on the chest and legs. This breed sheds only minimally, and that combined with its need for frequent brushing and bathing, makes it a good choice for people with allergies to pets. The coat is generally parted in the middle at the top of the head and over the back and hangs down straight, often to the floor depending upon the trim. It is sometimes gathered at the top of the head into a tie, or is parted and gathered into two ties. Hair on the muzzle is very long unless trimmed. The ears are carried erect and are heavily feathered; they are sometimes trimmed for neatness. The Silky Terrier is a relatively new breed, created only about the turn of the 20th century. Desiring to improve the coat colors of the Australian Terrier, breeders brought several Yorkshire Terriers to Australia for crossbreeding. Three distinct types would occur within the same litter, and were generally simply separated at adulthood by appearance and classified as Australian Terrier, Australian Silky Terrier, and Yorkshire Terrier. After a time, some fanciers in Sydney called Australian Silky Terrier the "Sydney Silky Terrier," and went about writing a breed standard. But three years later, in 1909, some devotees in the state of Victoria on the opposite side of the country wrote a different standard. Although the standards were similar, there were discrepancies. Finally the camps came together in 1926 and published a revised standard. In order to protect all three breeds from further crossbreeding, the Kennel Control Council of Victoria introduced canine legislation in 1932 to stop further intermingling and protect the integrity of each breed. After the Second World War, American servicemen returning to the United States from Australia took some of the Silky Terriers home with them. In 1954 some photographs of Silkies were published in an American newspaper, and created such a demand for the little dogs that several hundred were imported from Australia in that year. In 1959 the American Kennel Club recognized the Silky Terrier as a distinct breed, and in 1962 a standard was published. The Silky Terrier makes an ideal indoor dog, well suited to any home environment including the apartment. It should be given a daily walk around the neighborhood, whether it has a backyard or not. This breed should be leashed at all times. The coat of the Silky Terrier requires daily attention, since it is prone to tangles and mats. Some owners choose to keep their Yorkie in a short "puppy" coat permanently to cut down on care requirements. However, even the short coat is prone to matting and must be maintained diligently. Allowing the coat to mat can result in a source of continuous pain for the dog, and can encourage skin infection and the proliferation of parasites. The Silky Terrier in a long coat should be brushed thoroughly on a daily basis and bathed at a minimum every two weeks. This dog should be bathed frequently to maintain the luster of the coat. The attention of a professional groomer will be needed every four to six weeks.The Silky Terrier is prone to epilepsy, Legg-Perthes disease and to luxating patellas. All of these conditions can be avoided to some extent through careful breeding. The potential owner should take great care to find a breeder that is responsible, educated and experienced, and has worked to ensure the quality and health of breeding stock, and that hereditary issues are eliminated whenever possible. The owner should take care to ensure that the Silky is not overfed, since obesity can put undue stress on the spine and contribute to this dog's susceptibility to spinal disorders, and it can also lead to diabetes. The Silky is somewhat prone to tracheal collapse. The teeth should be given regular attention by a veterinarian a once yearly thorough cleaning is recommended. Toy breeds are prone to dental disease which can easily be so severe as to be life-threatening. When kept healthy, the average Silky Terrier lives to be 12 to 15 years old. This breed is full of energy and enthusiasm for life. Lots of toys, play and activity is essential to keep it occupied and happy. The Silky demands a lot of attention and affection from its owner, and will want to be included in family activity whenever possible. The Silky is intelligent and inquisitive and fairly easy to train. Introducing obedience training early in life and using it consistently will serve to create a dog who is well-mannered. The Silky Terrier should be socialized early to many people, to children to other dogs and to cats in order to avoid the development of aggressive behavior born of fear. The Silky can learn to live quite successfully with cats given proper socialization and training. This breed may not be a good one for small children. Its tiny size and delicate build make it very vulnerable to serious injury if play is too rough.
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