Breeds / Toy
Silky Terrier puppies
Playful, charming and gentle, the Australian Silky Terrier was developed by crossing the Australian Terrier with the Yorkshire Terrier and keeps a terrier character in a toy frame. The fine silky coat needs daily brushing.
The facts
- Size class Toy
- Country of origin Australia
- Adult weight 4.5 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 10 lb
- Adult height 23 to 25 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Long silky
- Shedding Low
- Typical lifespan 13 to 15 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Silky Terrier
The Silky Terrier was put together in Australia around the turn of the twentieth century by crossing the Australian Terrier with the Yorkshire Terrier, and the result is a working terrier shrunk into a toy frame. They stand 23 to 25 cm and weigh around 4.5 kg, with a fine, flat coat parted down the back and a wedge shaped head carried high. Their character is pure terrier: curious, bold, quick to investigate a noise, and closely attached to their household.
Silkies need more than a lap. Two or three short walks plus a game that involves chasing or problem solving will settle one far better than a cushion. The coat wants brushing at least twice weekly with a pin brush, and mats form behind the ears if that slips. They are vocal and will announce every visitor, so teach a quiet cue early. With children they do best supervised, since a small dog is easy to drop or startle. Pretty as they are, a Silky still needs socialisation and lead training like any other dog.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Silky Terrier puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A toy breed puppy at eight weeks is small enough to be genuinely fragile. They can be hurt by a jump off a sofa and by being stepped on, and toy breeds are prone to low blood sugar, so they need frequent small meals rather than two big ones. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Patellar luxation, graded by a veterinary orthopaedic exam
- Legg Calve Perthes disease, a malformation of the hip joint in young dogs
- Cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
- Portosystemic liver shunt, diagnosed on blood tests and imaging
- Periodontal disease, kept down by regular tooth brushing
Your Silky Terrier puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Toy for a Silky Terrier.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 4.5 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 22 inch (22 x 14 x 16 in, 56 x 36 x 41 cm) for an adult of up to 4.5 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other toy breeds
More on the Silky Terrier
Previous: Silken Windhound · Next: Skye Terrier
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Silky Terrier breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/silky-terrier/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: island silks, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.