General Description

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(Sydney Terrier, Australian Silky Terrier, Silky Toy Terrier) The Silky Terrier has a similar look to a Yorkshire Terrier. They have a square flat head and short square muzzle ending with a small black nose. Their eyes are medium sized and usually brown while their ears are triangular shaped and stand straight up. Their body is small but broad for its size. Yet, their legs are fairly long and skinny ending with small hare-like feet. Their tail should be docked so only a stump is left. Their coat is silky and flows down over their whole body. The dogs should have hair falling into their faces and falling down their backs to the floor so it covers their feet. Their coat can come in many variations of blue but will always be blue and tan or blue and red.

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Character

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The Silky Terrier is an energetic and playful dog. They are extremely loyal to their owners.  While they like the children in their family, they may bite if they are teased or annoyed. They will also chase and hunt small animals, but they do not get along well other dogs most of the time. They will get jealous easily and will attack another dog. The breed has a tendency to bark and will bark constantly if not corrected. Silky Terriers are also bad about digging.

Silkies make fantastic companions. They are loyal, sweet, friendly and are full of energy. This breed is not known to bark much unless there is a stranger present. They are intelligent and easy to train. They love family time and strive to please. Some Silky Terriers are not easily house trained unlike most other dogs. This breed of dog takes extreme patience while trying to house break and keeping a pattern will work the best in most cases.

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Size

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9-10 inches

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Weight

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8-11 pounds

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General Health

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The Silky Terrier is somewhat prone to a number of common small breed problems, such as elbow dysplasia, intervertebal disc disease, Legg-Perthes, and paterllar luxation.  Additionally, this breed can suffer from diabetes and epilepsy.  The Silky Terrier has an average life expectancy of about 12 to 15 years.

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History

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The Silky Terrier originated in the 1800’s in Australia.  Unlike many dogs which were first bred for a job such as hunting or herding, the Silky Terrier has almost always been a companion dog.  The breed was most likely created by mixing a number of different terriers, including Skye, Cairn, Australian, and Yorkshire terriers.  During World War II, a U. S. soldier in Australia brought one of the dogs back with him to America.  Fourteen years later, the breed was recognized by the AKC.  By 1967, the modern Silky Terrier standard was established.

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Maintenance

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The Silky Terrier requires a lot of grooming because of their thick coats. They should be brushed or combed every day to avoid tangles which occur frequently. They should be bathed often and after a bath must be dried well. They also need their hair trimmed occasionally, and the hair on their face should be put up in a topknot. They could also have their hair trimmed short if they are not for show which will make them easier to groom. They do require exercise but will release most of it by just playing games or running around the house.

Although some Silkies have thinner coats than other breeds it is still necessary to groom them almost daily to prevent tangles. When combing, sometimes it is easier to start at the end of the hair to prevent pulling hair out and causing pain to the dog. De-tangling products work well with this breed. Silkies commonly go about 5-7 days before they need another bath. Their skin releases an oil and that makes their coat look as though it is uncared for. It is important to use proper shampoo to prevent their skin from drying out due to excess bathing.

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Ideal Environment

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The Silky Terrier is an energetic family dog. They become extremely devoted to their family, but they may bite children if they are teased or annoyed by them.  With well-behaved children who show respect for the dog, Silky Terriers are normally calm. The breed is untrusting and standoffish with strangers. They do not do well with small animals or other dogs. In fact, they may attack other dogs when they get jealous. They are also stubborn, so they do not always do well with training. They are good for older people who want an active companion because they do not require much outdoor exercise. They can also easily live in an apartment or a house without a yard. They need to be trained not to bark or they will bark all the time. They also dig often and need to be corrected.

Because of their strong hunting instincts, it is important for Silky Terriers to be introduced to other small animals, including cats, when they are very young puppies. Proper socialization will help them peacefully coexist with other species.

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Silky Terrier Information