Silky Terrier

silky terrier

Breed:  Silky Terrier

Description:  Despite their beautiful appearance this spunky little dog is a Terrier and has both the built and temperament of one.  They are small and compact with short legs and is slightly longer than tall. The long silky coat which comes only in blue and tan parts down the back and hangs straight down

Characteristics: Well suited for the city, country, house or apartment, the Silky Terrier fits well into almost any environment. They are active and spirited yet loving and affectionate. A charming dog who steals the heart of almost everyone they meet..

Like all Terriers, the Silky Terrier is intelligent and always alert and ready for action. They make an excellent watchdog, never one to miss anything, though if given the chance, can get carried away with the barking.

They are a little mellower than many of their Terrier cousins and being obedient and fairly easy to train, make an ok choice for the novice dog owner. Like all Terriers, they do need firm but fair training, early and ongoing socialization and daily exercise.

The Silky is a very entertaining and playful dog and can be a real joy to live with, but owners should never forget they are a Terrier and should never be spoiled or treated like a helpless baby. Silky Terriers are a hard working breed and should be treated as such.

They can do well with children they’ve been raised with, but are really still best for homes with no children or older children. They can get irritated with too much rough treatment and may snap.

Origins:  This lively little dog was developed in Australia and is closely related to the Australian Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. In North America they are called the Silky Terrier, but in their home country and most of the rest of the world they are called the Australian Silky Terrier

Special needs:  The coat is very prone to tangles and tats and needs special care to keep it silky and beautiful. They need daily brushing and regular baths. Many Silkys suffer from dry itchy skin so using an Oatmeal or Avocado shampoo can help a lot.  They also suffer from weak gums and teeth and should have their teeth brushed regular.

Highlights :

-Usual life span is about 12-14 years.

-Not only an excellent hunter of rats and mice but also a formidable snake killer.

- A chaser and can be off and running before you know it. Care should always be taken when allowing them off lead. Its always safest playing in a completely fenced area

-Can be an enthusiastic barker and digger and if allowed to become bored and is ill exercised may become destructive