|
| First Dog | Dog Care | Dog Training | Dog Feeding | Dog Health | Dog Breeding | Dog Showing | OutDoor Dogs | Working Dogs | Careers with Dogs | Forum | Pet Links | Site Map | Home | |
SILKY TERRIER |
|||||||
|
Additonal Breeds Starting With Letter:
Pet Sites
 |
The histories
of the two native Australian terriers are tied inextricably—one to the
other. Both the Australian Terrier and the Silky Terrier were developed
in the 19th century by Australians using various British terrier breeds.
Records show that blue and tan broken-coated terriers of about ten pounds
were renowned watchdogs around Tasmania, even in the early 1800s. Other
terriers of that era in Australia were sandy colored.
Sometime in
the 1820s, one of those early small-sized blue/tan bitches was taken to
England and bred to a Dandie Dinmont, The resulting progeny eventually
returned to Australia and became the foundation for the Silky Terrier.
The Dandie imparted the silkier coat and back length, as well as the tendency
to an arched back and high rear still seen in modern specimens. Not all
of the credit for silky coat belongs to the Dandie, however, since Skyes,
used in the make-up of the Aussie, sometimes produce a faulty predisposition
to silky coats. Selection for the Skye's faulty trait contributed to the
desirable coat of the Silky. Additional backcrosses to Yorkshire Terriers
may have fixed the small size and blue color.
MacArthur
Little was an early prominent breeder of these "silkys," and
when he migrated to Sydney with his kennel, the name of Sydney Silky
Terrier was adopted. Because the "Silky" was not accepted
as an official name until 1955, the term Sydney Silky is heard still.
The Silky
standard was accepted in 1906 in New South Wales, and another—different—
standard was drawn in Victoria. It wasn't until 1959 that all discrepancies
were smoothed out, and AKC recognized the Silky shortly after the revised
standard was approved. Although officially the Silky Terrier in the
USA, he is called Australian Silky Terrier in his native Australia and
Silky Toy Terrier in Canada.
The Silky
was developed as a pet and house dog and needs only regular brushing
to keep his coat in good condition. The Silky's coat is long and soft,
but is never intended to cascade clear to the floor like that of the
Yorkie's. It must stop at about knee level, leaving feet and pasterns
exposed.
Modern dogs
all have the erect ear, although for many years both prick and drop
ears were allowed. This was probably another throwback to the Skye,
which has both ear carriages. The Silky, like his cousin the Australian
Terrier, has his gaily carried tail docked short. Although the Aussie
is still classified by AKC as a Terrier, the Silky is in the Toy Group,
Despite his diminutive size, he is still capable of killing rodents
and snakes and shrilly announcing the presence of intruders.
Australian
judge, Frank Longmore, describes the Silky, as "The little dog
that fits into our hearts and homes, no matter how large the former
nor how small the latter . . ."
|
