Silky Terrier 

              

HISTORY

The Silky Terrier is one of two native Australian terrier breeds, the other being the Australian Terrier. They were developed in the early 1800s, incorporating such breeds as the Dandie Dinmont, which was crossed with the local blue and tan broken-coated terriers. Called the Silky Terrier in the United States, it is referred to as the Australian Silky Terrier in its native land.Originally known as the Sydney Silky Terrier, in 1955 the official name for the breed became the Australian Silky Terrier. The first official meeting of the Sydney Silky Terrier Club of America was held on March 25, 1955, and in July of that year, the name was changed by a vote of its members to Silky Terrier Club of America.  The Silky Terrier's coat is his crowning glory. It is virtually odorless and  non-shedding. The coat needs to be brushed for about ten minutes every day to keep it shining and free of mats. The Silky Terrier will adapt to most lifestyles. It is a spirited little dog with a good degree of physical strength. Silky's are good with children as long as the children treat them with kindness. Silky Terriers like companionship from other pets.
Temperament ***  This loving, little terrier is very intelligent, courageous and alert. Affectionate, spunky cheerful and sociable, they like to be close to their master, but do not accept them to be a "mellow" lap dog. They are full of energy. Curious about everything, it is an enthusiastic digger. Active, keen and demanding. Smart and quick, though a bit willful as with most terriers. Despite its size, this docile dog is watchful and protective. Normally these dogs are very loving with children if they are raised with them, but they can be snappish if peeved and should not be rough-handled or teased. A hardy little fellow, it is a good dog to travel with. It makes an excellent watchdog, but can become a barker if not controlled. They are reserved with strangers and not generally trustworthy with other pets. Socialize them well with cats when they are still a puppy or they will chase them when they get older. Can get jealous and pick fights with other dogs. Training these dogs is very straight- forward because it is very eager to learn. 

 

GENERAL APPEARANCE ***..The dog is compact, moderately low set, of medium length with a refined structure but of sufficient substance to suggest the ability to hunt and kill domestic rodents. The parted, straight silky hair presents a well groomed appearance.

CHARACTERISTICS ***  It should display Terrier characteristics, embodying keen alertness, activity and soundness.


HEAD AND SKULL ***   Of moderate length, slightly shorter from the tip of the nose to between the eyes than from the same position to the occiput. The head must be strong and of Terrier charcter, being moderately broad between the ears; the skull flat and without fullness between the eyes, with fine silky top-knot, not falling over the eyes( a long fall of hair on the foreface is very objectionable.) Nose black.


EYES ***   Shall be small, round, not prominant, dark as possible in colour with a keen intelligent expression.

EARS ***  Should be small, V-shaped with fine leather, set high on the skull, pricked, and entirely free from long hair.


MOUTH *** Strong jaws, teeth even and not cramped, the upper incisors fitting closely over the lower(scissor bite). Lips tight and clean.

NECK *** Medium length, refined and slightly crested, fitting gracefully into the shoulders. WEll covered with long silky hair.

OREQUARTERS *** Shoulders fine and well laid back, fitting with well angulated upper arms snugly to the ribs. Elbow turned neither in not out. The forelegs have refined, round bone and are straight and set well under the body with no weakness in the pasterns.

 

 

 
BODY ***  Should be moderately long in proportion to the height of the dog. Level topline, well sprung ribs extending back to strong loins. Chest of moderate depth and breadth. A topline showing a roach or dip is a serious fault.

HINDQUARTERS *** The thighs must be well devbeloped and the stifles should be well turned and the hocks well bent. When viewed from behind the hocks should be well let down and parrallel with each other.

 

 

 

FEET ***  Small, well padded, cat like with closely knit toes, the toenails must be black or very dark.

TAIL*** 
Preferably docked, set on high and carried erect but not over gay. Should be free of feathering.

GAIT/MOVEMENT *** 
The movement should be free and true without slackness at the shoulders or elbows, there should be no turning in nor out of the feet or pasterns. The hindquarters should have strong propelling power with ample flexibility at stifles and hocks. Viewed from behind the movement should be neither to close nor to wide.

 

  

 

 

 
COAT ***   Must be flat, fine and glossy and of silky texture with a length of coat from 13 to 15 centimetres(5 to 6 inches) from behind the ears to the set on of the tail, but must not impede the dogs action. The legs from knees and hocks to feet free from long hair.

COLOUR ***  Blue and tan or grey-blue and tan, the richer the colour the better. Blue on the tail to be very dark. Silver blue or fawn top-knot desirable. Distribution of blue and tan as follows: tan around the base of the ears, muzzle and on the sides of the cheeks; blue from the base of the skull to tip of tail, running down the forelegs to near the knees and down the thighs to the hocks; tan line showing down the stifles and from the knees and hocks to the toes and around the vent. The body colour must be free from smut or dark shading. Black colouring is permissible in puppies, blue colour must be established by 18 months of age.


 
SIZE  ***   Height *  Dogs * Approx. 23 cms(approx. 9 ins) at the withers
 Bitches: Slightly less. Weight * desirable weight from 3 1/2 to 4 1/2kg(approx 8-10lbs)

FAULTS *** 
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considere a fualt and the seriousness with shich the fualt should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

NOTE *** 
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.


 

 

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