Australian Silky Terrier

General Information - Australian Silky Terrier

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History

Developed in the nineteenth century, the Australian Silky Terrier is one toy breed regarded as truly Australian. Early examples of the breed were simply known as Rough or Broken-Coated Terriers and were crosses of various larger British terrier breeds, of which some are no longer recognised. Further crossings to Dandie Dinmont and Skye Terriers and later to the Yorkshire Terrier contributed to the silky coat and small size we know today. Initially the breed was known as the 'Sydney Silky' due to the prominence of the breed in Sydney. The official name, Australian Silky Terrier, was eventually adopted in 1956.

Temperament

Usual terrier characteristics embody keen alertness, constant activity and occasional defiance. Silkies were originally bred to kill rodents, and still posses ratter characteristics; always watchful for scurrying prey. Silkies are a robust breed, generally very happy and love to play. But they also have a mischievous side, and although they are regarded as quite intelligent, very loyal and trainable, a defiant streak can appear. Silkies are known to maintain a puppy attitude throughout life.

Upkeep

This is an active breed requiring slightly more exercise than most toys. It enjoys a moderate walk on leash, but especially likes the chance to nose around on its own in a safe area. Much of its exercise requirements can be met with vigorous games in the yard, or even house. Despite its hardiness, it is not a breed for outdoor living. Its coat needs brushing or combing every other day.

Australian Silky Terrier

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Australian Silky Terrier

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.

Temperament: (See under Characteristics)

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 character, 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 or cheeks is very objectionable.) Nose black.

Eyes: Shall be small oval never round or prominent, 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.

Forequarters: Shoulders fine and well laid back, fitting with well angulated upper arms snugly to the ribs. Elbows turned neither in nor 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 at all times (both standing and moving), 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 developed and the stifles should be well turned and the hocks well bent. When viewed from the behind the hocks should be well let down and parallel with each other.

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

Tail: Customarily 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 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 too close nor too wide.

Coat: Must be flat, fine and glossy and of a silky texture. The length of coat must not be so long as to impede the dog’s action and should allows daylight to be seen under the dog. The front and rear feet to be free from long hair.

Colour: All shades of blue and tan are acceptable, the richer these colours and more clearly defined the better. Silver and white not acceptable. 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 blue body colour should be free from tan or bronzing. Tan markings must be free from smuttiness. Black colouring is permissible in puppies, blue colour must be established by 18 months of age.

Size: Height - Dogs 23 to 26 cms (9 to 10 ins) at the withers, Bitches can be slightly less
         Weight - Weight in proportion to height.

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault 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.

DNZ No 104
Copyright Dogs New Zealand
19 Dec 2013

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.