Variety:
Australian Silky Terrier
Country of Origin:
Australia
Destination:
Domestic dog
Colours:
Black/greyish blue with brown, black/greyish blue with yellow
Character
Cute, friendly, cheerful, watchful, alert, stubborn, independent, difficult to train
Height:
22-24 cm
Weight:
4-5 kg
Longevity:
13-14 years
Other names:
Australian Silky Terrier
Hypoallergenic:
Yes (100% hypoallergenic dogs do not exist, but a hypoallergenic breed may have milder allergy symptoms, or no allergy at all. Read more about allergies in dogs here)
Litter size:
About 4 puppies
Australian Silky Terrier
The Australian Silky Terrier is a small but very active and alert dog that seems to have no sense of fear at all. Despite their small stature, Australian Silky Terriers are always ready to defend their owner and protect the home. This breed is best suited to active and resourceful people who will always find something to do for their pet. If the Australian Silky Terrier gets bored, it may endlessly amuse itself or destroy things left out of place. this breed of dog greatly values the time spent with its owner, so it is important to make sure that the pet spends as little time as possible alone.
History of the breed
The Australian Silky Terrier originated in Australia and its ancestors – came from Great Britain.The breed is related to the Australian Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. The silky-textured puppies were presumably just a coincidence: they could not be considered a new breed because they were the same Australian Terrier, just with a different texture. Cynologists say that the breeding of silky-coated terriers did not begin until the end of the 19th century, when Yorkshire terriers started to crossbreed with Australian terriers. Originally, the breed was called the Sydney Silky Terrier because the first silky-coated puppies appeared here. Originally bred as pets, the breed was later found to be excellent hunters of rodents and even snakes. Until 1929, there was no strict separation between Australian Silky Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers. It used to happen that puppies born in the same litter were divided into three different breed groups. However, this practice was viewed rather negatively by cynologists, and in 1958 the Australian Silky Terrier was recognised as a separate breed. During the Second World War, the American military brought several Australian Silky Terriers to America. The dogs soon became popular here and more were imported. Today, Australian Silky Terriers are popular in many countries around the world.
Australian Silky Terrier: Appearance
Australian Silky Terriers often resemble Yorkshire Terriers in appearance, and only lovers of these breeds would be able to identify the main differences between the two dogs. The Australian Silky Terrier is a small dog, with a height of 22-24 cm at the withers and an average weight of 4 to 5 kg. A distinctive feature of this breed is its long, silky coat, which can be grey and white or bluish and brown. The body length of Australian Silky Terriers must be one fifth greater than the height of the dog at the withers. The head is wedge-shaped, the eyes are small, almond-shaped and usually dark in colour (light eyes are considered a major disadvantage). Ears are small, erect. Tail of medium length, high growth. The legs of this breed are short and the paws are small.
Australian Silky Terrier: Character
Australian Silky Terriers are very attached to their owners and love being part of the family. They are good with children and other pets, although they may be territorial towards other dogs. They require moderate exercise and grooming, and will do best in a home where someone is around most of the time.