Silky Terrier

• ExerciseHigh

  Needs a good workout or long walk every day.

• GroomingBrush a few times a week

  Brushing several times a week prevents mats.

• Living spaceApartment-friendly

  Happy in smaller homes with regular outings.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment13–15 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Patellar luxation · Legg-Calvé-Perthes · Tracheal collapse

The Silky Terrier was developed in Sydney around 1900 by crossing the Australian Terrier with the Yorkshire Terrier, and it sits deliberately between the two: bigger and more robust than a Yorkie, more refined than an Australian Terrier, with a long flat silky coat that hangs to just above the ground. The AKC places it in the Toy group, but it is a terrier in every respect that matters. That distinction is the key to living with one. A Silky is not a decorative lap dog. It is alert, confident, busy and driven, with real prey drive, a habit of barking at everything, and a strong urge to dig and chase. It needs proper daily exercise of around forty-five minutes plus games and training, and it thrives on having something to do. It is affectionate and playful with its family and makes an excellent watchdog, but early socialisation is needed to keep it from becoming a small dog that shouts at the world. The single silky coat sheds little but tangles, and it needs brushing every day or two plus regular trimming to keep it off the floor. Small-breed health care is the priority: brush the teeth, since dental disease is the most common problem in toy dogs, and buy from a breeder who screens for patellar luxation and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Watch for tracheal collapse, use a harness rather than a collar, and keep the dog lean to protect the small joints.

• How much exercise does a Silky Terrier need?

  High. Needs a good workout or long walk every day.

• How much grooming does a Silky Terrier need?

  Brush a few times a week. Brushing several times a week prevents mats.

• Is a Silky Terrier suited to apartment living?

  Apartment-friendly. Happy in smaller homes with regular outings.

• Is a Silky Terrier a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Silky Terrier live?

  13–15 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Silky Terrier?

  Keep an eye out for Patellar luxation, Legg-Calvé-Perthes, Tracheal collapse. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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