Australian Silky Terrier
Temperament:
The Australian Silky Terrier looks classy because of its silky hair, but it is not a typical lap dog. The cheerful four-legged friend is considered a hunter and needs a lot of exercise. He is a faithful companion in everyday life, which appears energetic and self-confident in case of danger.
Characteristics
The Australian Silky Terrier is a lively and energetic dog. It is very similar to the Yorkshire Terrier, but is considered an independent dog breed. According to the FCI, the Australian Silky Terrier is officially recognized. It is classified in the group 3 "Terrier", section 4 "Dwarf Terrier".
With a shoulder height of up to 26 cm, the Australian Silky Terrier is one of the small dog breeds. The finely structured physique gives the dog its elegant and graceful appearance. Nevertheless, the quadruped is robust enough to go hunting. With its small dark eyes and v-shaped ears, it has excellent vision and hearing.
Despite the short legs, the Australian Silky Terrier is fast on the move. He has a high urge to move and a lot of endurance. The lively four-legged friend loves to play. In addition, he needs meaningful employment due to his high intelligence.
The Australian Silky Terrier prefers to be surrounded by his caregivers. He is considered loyal, affectionate and cuddly, but also shows himself very alert and barks at strangers when necessary.
The silky coat of the Australian Silky Terrier is long, smooth and shiny. Color-wise, the fine coat of the dog is mostly a mixture of gray-blue and tan with white mop of hair.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
The Australian Silky Terrier is a relatively uncomplicated eater. You can offer your four-legged friend high-quality ready-made food or prepare a mixture of meat, vegetables and rice. It is important that the protein content of the food is high, so that your dog absorbs enough energy.
Since the Australian Silky Terrier is very small, there are a few rules to follow when feeding. The dog's small stomach is quickly overwhelmed with large portions. You should offer your darling small portions. Only an optimal composition of the food provides him with all the necessary nutrients.
To avoid overweight, you should adjust the amount of food your dog eats to his activity. You should be sparing with unhealthy treats. Reward your little four-legged friend with attention and cuddles. Plenty of fresh water is important to keep your dog fit.
Health & Care
To keep your Australian Silky Terrier happy and balanced, he needs plenty of exercise in the fresh air. The little dog does not need a huge house with a garden. He can also feel comfortable in a city apartment if you walk him regularly.
Daily walks are a must. You should plan at least one hour for this. With a ball you can provide variety and encourage your dog's activity.
Although the Australian Silky Terrier can sometimes be stubborn, he learns quickly. With the right mix of attention, patience and consistency, his behavior can be steered in the right direction.
Brush your dog's long coat daily to keep it shiny and prevent matting. If the hair becomes too long, a visit to the groomer is recommended.
Regular vaccinations at the vet are a prerequisite to keep your pet healthy.
Suitable accessories
The basic equipment of your Australian Silky Terrier includes a dog bed and bowls for food and water. Since the dog likes to lie on the couch, a soft dog blanket is an advantage. You should also get a sturdy dog leash and a suitable dog harness.
Since the Australian Silky Terrier loves to play, suitable dog toys are a must. To protect your pet from rain and cold in bad weather, a dog coat is a good choice.
A sturdy dog brush is necessary for grooming. In addition, you should buy a mild dog shampoo to be able to bathe your dog if necessary.
Origin & History
The Australian Silky Terrier originates from Australia. Already in the 19th century, different terrier breeds were crossed with each other. In order to breed a breed with silky soft fur, the steel blue dogs were mated with Dandie Dinmont Terriers in England.
The Englishman Mr. McArthur Little was enthusiastic about the terriers. He emigrated to Australia with a litter of puppies to improve the breeding of the breed there. After a few years, a small dog with silky coat was created, which combined all the positive qualities of different terrier breeds.
The dogs enjoyed great popularity and quickly spread across the continent. Since 1959, the breed has been officially recognized under the name Australian Silky Terrier. Although the dogs were bred primarily for pleasure, they were often used as hunting and guard dogs in Australia. Especially the ability of the terriers to effectively kill small animals such as rats and snakes, one made use of.
The spread of the Australian Silky Terrier in Europe and the USA was slow. Therefore, the breed is rarely found in Germany. For a puppy from the breeder you have to expect a price of about 1000 €.
