The Silky Terrier (or the Australian Silky Terrier) is an Australian breed of dog. It is classed in the Toy group in its country of origin and some other countries, but is classed as a terrier in Europe.
History: The Silky Terrier was originally developed in 19th century Australia from other terrier breeds such as the Skye and Cairn but primarily the Australian Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. On March 25, 1955, the first official meeting of the Sydney Silky Terrier Club of America was held. In July, the club changed its name to the Silky Terrier Club of America shortly before the AKC recognized the breed. The silky is not a rare breed, but it has not gained much popularity among dog fanciers.
Appearance: The Silky Terrier is a true “toy terrier”. He is moderately low set, slightly longer than tall, of refined bone structure, but of sufficient substance to suggest the ability to hunt and kill domestic rodents. The head is flat and wide between the ears, with a shallow stop. The Silky Terrier has erect, v-shaped ears and a docked tail. Their coat is one of the breed’s most prominent features. It is straight, silky, and shiny. The Silky coat is shorter and conforms to the shape of the body. Its coat is colored in blue and tan or gray with darker ends. The coat may also be blue and tan with a silver-blue top-knot.
Size: Height: 9-10 inches (23-25 cm). Females are generally smaller than the males.
Weight: 8-11 pounds (4-5 kg)
Temperament: This loving, little terrier is very intelligent, courageous and alert. Affectionate, spunky cheerful and sociable, they like to be close to their master, but do not accept them to be a “mellow” lap dog. They are very well tempered and love to be around people. This can become a problem with some owners though because by nature, this independent dog is not as loyal to their owner as other breeds. These dogs are very clever and are similar to Houdini in their ability to escape from yards and kennels. It can be aggressive towards other dogs, but enjoys the companionship of other family pets. This breed is smart, curious, and territorial – a combination that makes for a good watchdog.
Health: Generally healthy. Minor concerns are intervertebral disc disease, elbow dysplasia,  patellar luxation and Legg-Perthes. This breed sometimes is afflicted with diabetes, epilepsy, tracheal collapse.
Life expectancy: 11 – 14 years
Grooming: 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.
Puppy price: $400.00 - $1.000.00