Long Silky hair parted at nape of neck to the tail. Small and compact, lightly built with short legs but a medium length body. Colours generally blue/red, grey/blue and tan.
Generally good health. Some concerns are patellar luxation, intervertabral disc disease, elbow dysplasia and leggperthes.
Can potentially have tracheal collapse, diabetes or epilepsy.
A keen and happy temperament with a clever mind and great ability to learn. Good discipline and training is required to help them understand their boundaries and despite their size, they make a good watchdog. They are generally not good with small domestic pets such as hamsters and rabbits etc. Good with children as long as training and discipline is in place. Awareness needed to not allow this little dog to think he is pack leader with humans.
Full of energy and likes to go on daily walks. They have a surprising amount of stamina.
Ideally they need a minimum of 10 minutes daily to keep their long coat from getting tangled. They need a trim occasionally and normally the hair on their legs is kept short. Silky Terriers shed very little hair.
Although primarily originating from the Australian terrier and Yorkshire terrier they have been developed as far back a the 19th century. Known as a companion dog, American servicemen brought them home after being stationed in Australia during world war 2.
Silky terriers are born black.
Average Dog Size
Average Dog Weight
Average Bitch Size
Average Bitch Weight
Average Life Expectancy
12 - 15