Australian Silky Terriers, as their name would suggest, have their origins in Australia.
This breed has been established a relatively short amount of time when compared with many other dog breeds.

These dogs were unknown outside Australia prior to the Second World War.

However, after the war, they did find a degree of popularity in the United States of America.

Despite this breed becoming better known outside its native country, Australian Silky Terriers are rarely found in Great Britain.

Origins of Australian Silky Terriers

Australian Silky Terriers

There are two breeds that are the principal ancestors of Australian Silky Terriers. They are the Yorkshire Terrier and the Australian Terrier. The Yorkshire Terrier was developed by crossing the Skye Terrier, the old English Black and Tan Terrier and the Maltese. The Australian Terrier was developed by crossing the Skye Terrier, the Dandie Dinmont and the indigenous Broken-Coated Terrier of Australia.

These little dogs are well set-up and compact. They do resemble Yorkshire Terriers, but are larger and have a silky coat. In the early days of the breed, these two types of dog were closely involved. Around 1900, they shared a breed club.

The first record of any small dogs like Australian Silky Terriers came in 1872. This was when several Broken-Coated Terriers were shown at the second Royal Melbourne Show in Victoria. Later, in 1884, a number of similar dogs were shown under the description of Broken-Coated Toy Terriers.

In 1900, the Victorian Silky and Yorkshire Terrier Club established standards for the two breeds. This was done to avoid the twin dangers of confusion between and possible fusion of the two dog breeds. Not long after, breeders in Sydney formed the Sydney Silky Club – this is how the breed came by the moniker of the ‘Sydney Silky’.

Challenge certificates were first awarded to the breed in 1924. As the breed increased in popularity in Australia, their numbers at dog shows have gone from strength. However, it wasn’t until 1959 that the Australian National Kennel Council adopted a standard for the breed and changed its name to the Australian Silky Terrier.

The breed is now well established in Australia. Large numbers of this breed are regularly exhibited at shows. These dogs tend to look best at those shows that are held outdoors, as the brilliant Australian sunshine shows off the silky coat to its fullest.

The breed has found popularity in New Zealand, and they have also now a familiar sight at shows in the USA where they are known simply as Silky Terriers.

Distinguishing Silky From Yorkie

Australian Silky Terriers make for very attractive pet dogs. Although they are handsome, possibly decorative animals, there remains an element of the Terrier within them. They are low-set, compact dogs that give the impression of having a talent for hunting. This is indeed the case. When given the opportunity they make very good vermin hunters like most Terriers.

Breeders in Australia are keen to make certain that there are distinct differences between the Australia Silky Terriers and the Yorkshire Terriers. This is to prevent the two breeds being mis-identified as each another. Although the two breeds look similar, Australian Silky Terriers are 23cm (9 inches) high and weigh 4 kg (9 lb), whereas Yorkshire Terriers are 20.5cm (8 inches) high and weigh 3.1 kg (7 lb).

The coat of Australian Silky Terriers should only be 12.5 to 15.5 cm (5 to 6 inches) in length. It should not trail on the ground like that of the Yorkshire Terrier. It should also not have any long hairs on its legs so the legs are visible. The coat of the Yorkshire Terrier is bright golden tan with steel-blue hair that extends from the back of the head to the root of the tail. Australian Silky Terriers have a coat that is rich silver-blue and tan. The coat should be bluer than that of the Yorkshire Terrier which is more steely in colour.

Grooming Australian Silky Terriers is easier than grooming Yorkshire Terriers as the hair is shorter and there is not as much of the longer hairs.

Characteristics of Australian Silky Terriers

This breed is assigned to the Toy Group, although these dogs do tend to be more Terrier than Toy. They have more fire and energy than most of the other Toy dogs, being both alert and extremely active. They seem just as at home sniffing around rat holes as they are lounging around on the furniture.

These little dogs make far more noise when provoked than their size would indicate. They are very possessive about their family and its property. Because of these factors, dogs of this breed usually make good guard dogs.

As pets Australian Silky Terriers are friendly, alert little dogs. When it comes to feeding they are undemanding. They require a moderate amount of exercise but far less than a larger dog would. It is not uncommon for these dogs to be kept in an urban environment.

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