AUSTRALIAN SILKY TERRIER
The Australian Silky Terrier, also known as the 'Sydney Silky' and the 'Silky Terrier' (in the USA) is a moderately low set approximately 9" high dog which while he is refined is still all Terrier enough to take on the meanest rat or mouse. He has as his crowning glory, a beautiful straight silky coat, that can vary in colour from pale blue through all shades to a deep blue. To add contrast to this glossy crown is his rich tan points and his fawn or silver topknot.
The length of this crowning glory has often been a topic of conversation when silky breeders get together. The early breeders were at pains to make sure our breed was not confused with the Australian Terrier( they often appeared in the same litters in the early days). With the early standards stating that the coat should be not less than 6", with short coats listed as defects and woolly or curly coats as disqualifications. Our current standard now requires a flat, fine, glossy coat with a silky texture and a length of 5"- 6" which, in particular must not impede the dogs movement. The consensus is that while to compete against the other toys in the group glamour is needed, we must be careful not the emulate the Yorkshire Terrier type coats and lose the mobility which is called for when looking at the breeds purpose.
The head on a Silky should be moderate and refined but still show strong Terrier character. The nose from between the eyes to the nostrils should be slightly shorter than the length of the skull about 2/3 nose to 3/3 skull. Too short and they can look like their cousins the Yorkshire Terrier, too long or even and he resembles the Australian Terrier. Both styles of heads which are correct in their own breeds but not in the Silky Terrier A Silkys expression is intelligent with a definate sparkle of interest in everything that is going on. Add to this his small neat triangles of ears perched high on his head and we have the keen expression which we all look for.
A Silky Terriers main aim in life is to get himself from one interesting situation to the next as quickly and easily as possible. His construction reflects this purpose with strong well developed rear legs ( all the better to dart after that mouse), the level topline, well sprung ribs and strong loins( all the better to zig, zag and zig again). His chest and front legs refined but strong with a "I'll just dig here a little further I know its in here" attitude. His whole construction sound with none of the construction defects that would preclude him from jumping up and chasing that one more mouse for the day.
Attitude is an important feature of the Silky Terrier. It shows from both ends of the dog. From his alert eyes, questing nose, the intelligent keen eyes, the slightly arched neck to his upright tail which is a barometer for his attitude to life. His tail goes from the wagging of a greeting to a friend to his stiff alertness at meeting a possible rival. A silky will often relax his tail on the stand as he rests but the Silky that moves out with his tail down is not a happy Terrier. Watching the 'Happy end' is a good way to see his display of 'Terrier '.
The Australian Silky Terrier can be many things to many people. He can be your best mate, the scourge of the unwanted visitors, protector of all he perceives as his family's property, the couch potato, the snuggler and the bed warmer on a cold winter night. Most people you meet remember that someone in the family 'had a silky' when they were young. They may not have been the glamourous groomed to perfection Silkies we see in the showring but underneath they are all 'Australian Silky Terriers'