Australian Silky Terrier

The Australian Silky Terrier is a small blue-and-tan companion terrier with a long flat coat, developed in Australia from British stock.

History

It was made in Sydney and Melbourne around 1900 by crossing the Yorkshire Terrier with the emerging Australian Terrier, and for a while the three breeds appeared in the same litters. Australian registries separated them in the 1920s. It kept the working terrier's instinct: it was expected to kill snakes and rats around the house, not only to sit on a lap.

Temperament

The breed is known for being alert, confident and affectionate with its own people, quick to announce visitors and keener on hunting than its coat suggests.

Care and training

Exercise needs are modest but genuine. The long silky coat needs daily brushing to stay untangled. Training benefits from consistency and from not indulging the size.

Health

Known tendencies include patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease and dental crowding. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.