Australian Silky Terrier

Australian Silky Terrier,Characteristics & Breed Information,
Appearance,Character,Temperament,Care,Training,Activity,History...

Australian Silky Terrier

The Australian Silky Terrier is intelligent, curious, and in constant motion. Originally developed in the 19th century in Australia. The Silky is compact but is light in build. They are a friendly and spirited breed. The Silky Terrier can be possessive with their family and property. The

Australian Silky Terrier is an Australian breed of dog. It is classed in the Toy group in Australia its country of origin and some other countries, but is classed as a terrier in Europe.

Characteristics & Breed Information
Australian Silky Terrier appearance
Weight: 8-11 pounds
Height: 9-10 inches (23-25 cm.)
Coat: Fine, silky, shiny hair without undercoat, very prone to tangles and mats unless frequently groomed
Color: Blue and red, or blue and tan.
Litter size: 3-5 average 4
Life span: 12-15 years
Breed Group: Toy

Appearance
The average Australian Silky Terrier is about 10 inches (25 cm) at the withers, and weighs about 10 pounds (5 kg). Its head is longer than that of the Australian Terrier but shorter than that of the Yorkshire Terrier. The coat is 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 cm) with a silky texture.The Australian Silky Terrier's coat is virtually non-shedding and odorless. Their coat is one of the breed's most prominent features. It is straight, silky, and shiny. Unlike the Yorkie, whose coat flows to the floor, the Silky coat is shorter and conforms to the shape of the body. The texture is much like human hair. The color of the coat may be blue and red, or blue and tan. This dog is very hypoallergenic and is ideal for those with allergies to pet hair.

A Silky Terrier getting ready to be presented by her handler at a Conformation Show in Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Character
The Australian Silky Terrier is an excellent companion. This breed has a keen alertness and a true Terrier nature. They can, on occasion, exhibit defiance and stubbornness. They do not like to be left alone for extended periods of time and do best when someone is home for most of the day. They do on occasion like to be spiteful but as they grow out of the puppy stage then they tend to show this less and less.

Temperament
Australian Silky Terriers are bred as house dogs or lap dogs, so they tend to have a strong attachment to their owner and owner's family, coupled with a slight suspicion of strangers and strange dogs, but after a short period of time they will become more comfortable. They are very good watch dogs and have a keen sense of hearing.

The Australian Silky Terrier is generally happy and loves to play. They are bold in action and have a mischievous streak. This breed loves to dig and bark. The Silky is most suited for older, well-behaved children. They are extremely territorial and may exhibit aggression toward other dogs. They love to chase cats and squirels, so raising them with cats from puppy-hood is highly recommended.

If a visitor is welcomed by the owner most will completely accept the visitor and try to get attention from them.

These dogs are very sensitive to voice tone. A loud deep tone will frighten them, and a high squeaky shriek will make them freeze.

The Australian Silky Terrier is friendly to all the family, but will usually attach itself to one member and be friendly with the rest. It will tolerate strangers, but no more than that. It will love children if raised with them, but depending on its personality, it doesn't enjoy being fussed over or being treated like an animated toy and prefers to be treated as an equal.

Care
The Silky Terrier's coat is highly susceptible to tangles and matting. They require daily brushing and combing. This breed requires a deep commitment from their owners. To keep the coat lustrous regular shampooing is necessary. The Silky is prone to several disorders including luxating patella, tracheal collapse, and epilepsy.

Training
This breed may be difficult to housebreak. They respond best to praise, reward, love and consistency. The Silky Terrier does well in obedience training provided the method used is not done using a choke collar. The Silky trachea is easily damaged. Training must be done firmly and fairly.

Activity
The Silky Terrier is a bundle of energy. They love to be given chances to run and play, but must have a tightly fenced yard. They also enjoy brisk walks and playing ball. The Silky is able to do well in an apartment, although they are also an active indoor breed. It is important they are kept busy and social to discourage boredom.

History
The Silky is generally believed to have developed by crossing the Yorkshire Terrier with the Australian Terrier in Sydney in the 1890s, but breed historians point out that the Australian Terrier was itself still a developing breed at the time of the Silky's emergence, and, since no early records were kept (as is the case with so many dog breeds) it is likely that other crosses occurred as well. There were also breeding experiments with these crosses in the state of Victoria; it is suggested that Australian and Silky Terriers were first exhibited at the Melbourne Royal in 1872 as "Broken-coated Terriers, Black and Tan", however, the breed is not mentioned in The Dog in Australasia, Walter Beilby's 1897 book.

Certainly it is documented that whatever the outcrossing, puppies evidencing rough and silky coats appeared in the same litters at the turn of the 20th Century. The Australian Terrier, Harsh or Silky coated, was first exhibited at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in 1902.

Different breed standards appeared in the 1920s; in or about 1924 the Kennel Club requested a designation of Australian Terrier, Hard Coat and Australian Terrier, Soft Coat but the breeders rejected the proposal.

Before puppies were registered on the Stud Books, a judge was required to inspect litters to determine which puppies were to be registered as Sydney Silkies, which were Australian Terriers and which were Yorkshire Terriers.

20th Century canine council legislation brought an end to the crossbreeding; eventually Silky puppies were intrabred and the breed was stabilized.

The official name for the breed in Australia became the Australian Silky Terrier in 1955. The breed club was established in 1959.

Article:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/