Silky Terrier

Behavior

The Silky Terrier has many of the same behavioral traits as other terriers do. They are often described as feisty, spunky and fearless and willing to go after anything. For this reason, keeping a close eye on your terrier in a fenced yard or on a leash is an absolute must. They have a tendency to chase since it is part of their nature and will not listen and come back to your calls. A Silky Terrier is known for getting into mischief and then playing on the cuteness they possess to get out of it. They love to have a nice warm lap to cuddle on and are great family dogs with older children.

Even though they are petite, the Silky Terrier has a lot of energy. They need to have regular exercise in order to keep a good temperament and maintain their health. They love to take long walks and even though they are small are actually great hiking companions. Because of their short legs, jogging is not something they are good at but they love to run and play in the yard chasing a ball or a toy.

As is the case with many terriers, the Silky Terrier can be tough to train. Start your training regimen early on and stay consistent to get the best results. High praise works much better than being stern with a Silky Terrier in training. Once they have been trained, they often excel at further training in agility and obstacle courses. The Silky Terrier is also known to suffer from separation anxiety and can be destructive when left alone for long periods. They are much better in homes where someone is around frequently, like an at-home parent or retiree.

Appearance

At times it may seem like the Silky Terrier is all hair. They are quite small, often only reaching nine inches in height and their long, flowing, soft hair can cover about six inches of this length. They have dark, oval eyes and very small ears that stand straight up on their head as if they are always alert and ready for action. Most often they only weigh about ten pounds when fully grown. Their coat is most often parted down the center to further enhance their flowing look. It is most often tan or blue in color and the blue can be of several shades. The blue runs from the base of the head down to the tail and also covers part of the legs while the tan covers the cheeks, muzzle, feet and parts of the ears.

Grooming

Upon first look someone might think the Silky Terrier is high maintenance for grooming. The fact is they only have a single coat so simple brushing a few times a week is often more than enough to keep the coat free of tangles and mats. They need to be bathed about once a month and are small enough where most people can do it themselves at home.

History

The Silky Terrier developed from a crossing of the Yorkshire Terrier from England with an Australian Terrier back in the late 1800s. The breed was then taken to Wales where it was grown and bred. Originally called the Sydney Silky, the name evolved to the Australian Silky Terrier and then to just the Silky Terrier in 1955.