Australian Silky Terrier
Also known as Silky Terrier
- Height at the withers
- 23 to 25 cm
- Weight
- 3.5 to 5 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 15 years
- Daily activity
- 45 minutes
- Origin
- Australia
- FCI group
- 3 · Terriers
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- apartment living, with regular outings
- a first dog
- people bothered by dog hair (no breed is guaranteed allergy-free)
Less suited to
- a home with cats
- noise-sensitive neighbors: it likes to bark
Overview
A small, lively toy terrier, refined yet sturdy, with a long, silky blue and tan coat that is straight, glossy and parted down the middle, and an alert, cheerful bearing.
History and origins
Developed in Australia in the late 19th century by crossing Yorkshire Terriers with Australian Terriers to create a small companion dog with a long, silky coat, combining hardiness and refinement.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Patellar luxation
- Tracheal collapse
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- Skin allergies
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Long, silky coat. Almost no shedding, high coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Apartment
- Perfect, 5 out of 5
- Home alone
- A few hours, 3 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Polite, 3 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Average, 3 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Good fit, 4 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Strong, 4 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- High, 4 out of 5
- Shedding
- Almost none, 1 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Frequent, 4 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Australian Silky Terrier FAQ
How big does the Australian Silky Terrier get?
The Australian Silky Terrier stands 23 to 25 cm at the withers and weighs 3.5 to 5 kg. It is a very small dog.
Does the Australian Silky Terrier shed a lot?
It sheds almost nothing and its coat needs a lot of care. It is one of the breeds that shed very little and are often better tolerated by people with allergies, with no guarantee: spend time with the breed before you decide. Its coat needs regular grooming, sometimes by a professional.
Can the Australian Silky Terrier live in an apartment?
Yes, very well: calm indoors, it adapts perfectly to an apartment. Mind the neighbors: it barks readily.
How much exercise does the Australian Silky Terrier need each day?
Allow about 45 minutes of activity a day: its energy is moderate.
Is the Australian Silky Terrier good with children?
Fairly well, preferably with children old enough to respect its limits. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Australian Silky Terrier live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are patellar luxation and tracheal collapse.
