Australian Silky Terrier facts for kids
Silky Terrier
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| Other names | Silky Terrier | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Origin | Australia | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Australian Silky Terrier is a small and lively dog breed. It's often just called the Silky Terrier. This cute dog was first developed in Australia. Its ancestors came from Great Britain. The Silky Terrier is related to the Australian Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. In North America, people usually call it the Silky Terrier. But in Australia and other places, it's known as the Australian Silky Terrier.
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What Does a Silky Terrier Look Like?
The Australian Silky Terrier is a small dog. It stands about 23 to 26 cm (9.1 to 10.2 in) tall at its shoulders. This dog is alert and very active. A key feature is its long, silky coat. The coat is usually grey and white or blue and tan. It hangs straight and has a part along the back. The fur is described as flat, fine, and glossy.
Silky Terriers are a bit longer than they are tall. This helps them move easily. Historically, these dogs were used to hunt small animals. They needed a strong body for this job. Their beautiful coat needs lots of care. You have to brush and shampoo it regularly to keep it silky.
A Silky Terrier has a strong, wedge-shaped head. Its eyes are small and shaped like almonds. The ears are small and stand straight up. Silky Terriers have a tail that sits high on their back. Their feet are small, almost like a cat's. The hair on their face and ears is usually trimmed short.
History of the Silky Terrier
The Australian Silky Terrier's ancestors include the Yorkshire Terrier and the Australian Terrier. Australian Terriers came from rough-coated terriers. These dogs were brought to Australia from Great Britain in the early 1800s. It's not fully clear if early Silky Terriers were just Australian Terriers with silky fur. Or if people tried to create a new breed on purpose.
The American Kennel Club says the breed started in the late 1800s. This happened when Yorkshire Terriers were bred with Australian Terriers. At first, the breed was called the Sydney Silky. This was because they were mostly found in Sydney, Australia. Most other Australian dog breeds were working dogs. But the Silky Terrier was mainly bred to be a pet. It was a companion dog for people living in cities. However, they were also known for catching snakes in Australia.
Before 1929, the Australian Terrier, Silky Terrier, and Yorkshire Terrier were not very different. Sometimes, puppies from the same litter could grow up to look like three different breeds. After 1932 in Australia, people stopped breeding them together. In 1955, the breed was officially named the Australian Silky Terrier. The Australian National Kennel Council recognized the breed in 1958. They placed it in the Toy Group.
After World War II, American soldiers brought some Silky Terriers to the United States. Pictures of the breed in newspapers in 1954 made them very popular. Hundreds of Silkies were brought from Australia to the U.S. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed as the Silky Terrier in 1959. Other kennel clubs also recognized them. Today, major kennel clubs around the world recognize the breed.
Why Are They in the Toy Group?
The Australian Silky Terrier is a terrier type of dog. But it is usually placed in the Toy Group. This is because of its small size. Dog shows group breeds together for safety. It's better for small dogs to be with other small dogs. This keeps them safe from larger, more powerful dogs. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale has a special section for the smallest terriers. Other kennel clubs put the breed in the Toy Group. But everyone agrees that the Silky Terrier is a true terrier.
Silky Terrier Personality
Silky Terriers are very alert and active dogs. They love to run and play. They need a yard with a strong fence to keep them safe. They also enjoy fast walks and playing fetch. Silky Terriers can live well in an apartment. But they are still active indoors. It's important to keep them busy and social. This stops them from getting bored.
A TV show called "Dogs 101" did a survey. They ranked 91 small dog breeds on how fast they learn. The Silky Terrier was in the top twenty! However, training them can be a bit tricky. This breed can sometimes be stubborn and willful.
They are more independent than some other toy breeds. But they are also very loving and loyal to their owners. They bark easily, especially when new people come to visit.
How to Care for a Silky Terrier
The Silky Terrier's coat can get tangled easily. It needs daily brushing and combing. Owners need to be very committed to their grooming. Regular shampooing is also needed to keep the coat shiny. Using a special shampoo with aloe and oatmeal can help. This is good for their skin, which can sometimes be dry and itchy.
It's important to groom this breed regularly. Be careful when grooming near their neck. It's best to use a harness leash instead of a collar. This helps protect their neck from injury.
See also
In Spanish: Silky terrier australiano para niños
