Silkyville kennel


Breed

Characteristics of the breed Usual terrier characteristics embody keen alertness, constant activity and occasional defiance. Silkies were originally bred to kill rodents, and still posses ratter characteristics; always watchful for scurrying prey. Silkies are a robust breed, generally very happy and love to play. But they also have a mischievous side, and although they are regarded as quite intelligent, very loyal and trainable, a defiant streak can appear. Silkies are known to maintain a puppy attitude throughout life. Obedience classes are recommended. Silkies are a very game breed, full of bravado and have strong guarding instincts. Some have a reputation for constant barking. Silkies often appear to think they are a large dog trapped in a small dog's body. As such they are known to try and take on much larger dogs, and invariably lose. Breeders state that though Silkies were once very snappy and aggressive this characteristic has been recognised by dedicated, responsible breeders and great efforts made to eliminate it. However the strongly independent and game nature of the breed can predispose to a tendency for surliness, leading to outbursts of snappy aggression if pushed beyond their tolerance. If dominant males are nearby, it is possible they will clash. Silkies will often devote themselves to one particular member of the family, usually the one who provides food. It is recommended that a child feed the dog as this will assist with its integration with members of the family. From: Burke's backyard Archives 2002 Origin of the breed Many different theories have been given over the years regarding the origing of the Australian Silky Terrier. True origing is nlouded because little, if any, records exist from the late 19th century when the Silky first appeared. in the early colonial days, travel to Australia from England took many months. space on the ships was restricted, as was the amount of food that could be carried. so, except for a few working dogs, most carried short-legged terrier breeds, such as the sandy rough coated Scotch Terrier, Paisley Terrier, Skye Terrier, Clydesdale Terrier and Waterside Terrier. These were interbred over the years to produce a broken coated terrier. From this stage there are several theories regarding the production of the Silky Terrier. One theory is that, in the early 1800's, broken coated dogswith blue body colour and tan markings were developed in Tasmania. They were excellent watch dogs, alert and with an instinctive reaction to bark at any approaching strangers. Between 1820 and 1830 some broken-coated terriers were exported to Englend. These were mated with Dandy Dinmont Terrier. Some of these offspring were imported back to Australia by Mr McArthur Little. The result can be seen in the soft silver topknot of the Australian Silky Terrier. Several had developed a softer coat and were reffered to as the Soft Silky blue coated Terrier. In following years two separate strains of terriers were developed, one - the Australian Terrier and the other - soft-coated terrier although similar in colour. In the early 1900's fanciers of these soft-coated terriers preffered a longer and even softer, smoother coat to enhance the dogs' attractiveness and draw it away from the rugger terrier appearance. This is where Yorkshire Terrier was introduced to the soft-coated Australian-type terrier to produce the Australian Silky Terrier. The second theory still follows the thought that the Australian Terrier originated from the cross breeding of the broaken-coated terrier and the Dandy Dinmont Terrier. This resulted in the early Australian Terriers having a soft silky topknot. Years later the Australian Terrier breedes cross bred larger Yorkshire Terrier with the Australian Terrier to improve the blue and tan colouring which was lacking. The result of these mating introduced a new breed, the Australian Silky Terrier. The cross breeding between the three breeds continued for many years until prohibited. In 1904 a Silky Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier Club was formed in Melbourne, where a breed standard was written for both breeds. Sydney followed with their own Silky standard two years later. In 1932 the Kennel Control Council of Victoria prohibited cross breeding between Silky, Australian and Yorkshire Terrier to protect breed identity, as small Silky Terriers were becoming difficulat to separate from larg Yorkshire terriers. On 30th March 1959 the Australian National Kennel Council approved and adopted a standard for the breed and changed the name to Australian Silky Terrier. During the drafting of the national standard, the silkies were weighed, measured in height and size, colour was defined as blue and tan or grey and tan and body conformation was defined. The standard was amended in the 1970's to include a fawn topknot as acceptable. Several other theories exist, but we believe that part of both stories are non-fiction and combine to represent the true origin of the Australian Silky Terrier. Who knows?! Breed standard General 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. His coat is silky in texture, parted from the stop to the tail and presents a well groomed but not sculptured appearance. His inquisitive nature and joy of life make him an ideal companion. Size, Proportion, Substance *Size* - Shoulder height from nine to ten inches. Deviation in either direction is undesirable. *Proportion* - The body is about one fifth longer than the dog's height at the withers. *Substance* - Lightly built with strong but rather fine bone. Head The head is strong, wedge-shaped, and moderately long. *Expression* piercingly keen, *eyes* small, dark, almond shaped with dark rims. Light eyes are a serious fault. *Ears* are small, V-shaped, set high and carried erect without any tendency to flare obliquely off the skull. *Skull* flat, and not too wide between the ears. The skull is slightly longer than the muzzle. *Stop* shallow. The *nose* is black. *Teeth* strong and well aligned, scissors bite. An undershot or overshot bite is a serious fault. Neck, Topline and Body The *neck* fits gracefully into sloping shoulders. It is medium long, fine, and to some degree crested. The *topline* is level. A topline showing a roach or dip is a serious fault. *Chest* medium wide and deep enough to extend down to the elbows. The *body* is moderately low set and about one fifth longer than the dog's height at the withers. The body is measured from the point of the shoulder (or forechest) to the rearmost projection of the upper thigh (or point of the buttocks). A body which is too short is a fault, as is a body which is too long. The tail is docked, set high and carried at twelve to two o'clock position. Forequarters Well laid back shoulders, together with proper angulation at the upper arm, set the forelegs nicely under the body. Forelegs are strong, straight and rather fine-boned. *Feet* small, catlike, round, compact. Pads are thick and springy while nails are strong and dark colored. White or flesh-colored nails are a fault. The feet point straight ahead, with no turning in or out. Dewclaws, if any, are removed. Hindquarters Thighs well muscled and strong, but not so developed as to appear heavy. Well angulated stifles with low hocks which are parallel when viewed from behind. *Feet* as in front. Coat Straight, single, glossy, silky in texture. On matured specimens the coat falls below and follows the body outline. It should not approach floor length. On the top of the head, the hair is so profuse as to form a topknot, but long hair on the face and ears is objectionable. The hair is parted on the head and down over the back to the root of the tail. The tail is well coated but devoid of plume. Legs should have short hair from the pastern and hock joints to the feet. The feet should not be obscured by the leg furnishings. Color Blue and tan. The blue may be silver blue, pigeon blue or slate blue, the tan deep and rich. The blue extends from the base of the skull to the tip of the tail, down the forelegs to the elbows, and half way down the outside of the thighs. On the tail the blue should be very dark. Tan appears on muzzle and cheeks, around the base of the ears, on the legs and feet and around the vent. The topknot should be silver or fawn which is lighter than the tan points. Gait Should be free, light-footed, lively and straightforward. Hindquarters should have strong propelling power. Toeing in or out is to be faulted. Temperament The keenly alert air of the terrier is characteristic, with shyness or excessive nervousness to be faulted. The manner is quick, friendly, responsive.

Characteristics of the breed

Usual terrier characteristics embody keen alertness, constant activity and occasional defiance. Silkies were originally bred to kill rodents, and still posses ratter characteristics; always watchful for scurrying prey. Silkies are a robust breed, generally very happy and love to play. But they also have a mischievous side, and although they are regarded as quite intelligent, very loyal and trainable, a defiant streak can appear. Silkies are known to maintain a puppy attitude throughout life. Obedience classes are recommended.

Silkies are a very game breed, full of bravado and have strong guarding instincts. Some have a reputation for constant barking. Silkies often appear to think they are a large dog trapped in a small dog's body. As such they are known to try and take on much larger dogs, and invariably lose.

Breeders state that though Silkies were once very snappy and aggressive this characteristic has been recognised by dedicated, responsible breeders and great efforts made to eliminate it. However the strongly independent and game nature of the breed can predispose to a tendency for surliness, leading to outbursts of snappy aggression if pushed beyond their tolerance. If dominant males are nearby, it is possible they will clash.

Silkies will often devote themselves to one particular member of the family, usually the one who provides food. It is recommended that a child feed the dog as this will assist with its integration with members of the family.

From: Burke's backyard Archives 2002

Origin of the breed

Many different theories have been given over the years regarding the origing of the Australian Silky Terrier. True origing is nlouded because little, if any, records exist from the late 19th century when the Silky first appeared.

in the early colonial days, travel to Australia from England took many months. space on the ships was restricted, as was the amount of food that could be carried. so, except for a few working dogs, most carried short-legged terrier breeds, such as the sandy rough coated Scotch Terrier, Paisley Terrier, Skye Terrier, Clydesdale Terrier and Waterside Terrier. These were interbred over the years to produce a broken coated terrier.

From this stage there are several theories regarding the production of the Silky Terrier. One theory is that, in the early 1800's, broken coated dogswith blue body colour and tan markings were developed in Tasmania. They were excellent watch dogs, alert and with an instinctive reaction to bark at any approaching strangers. Between 1820 and 1830 some broken-coated terriers were exported to Englend. These were mated with Dandy Dinmont Terrier. Some of these offspring were imported back to Australia by Mr McArthur Little. The result can be seen in the soft silver topknot of the Australian Silky Terrier. Several had developed a softer coat and were reffered to as the Soft Silky blue coated Terrier. In following years two separate strains of terriers were developed, one - the Australian Terrier and the other - soft-coated terrier although similar in colour.

In the early 1900's fanciers of these soft-coated terriers preffered a longer and even softer, smoother coat to enhance the dogs' attractiveness and draw it away from the rugger terrier appearance. This is where Yorkshire Terrier was introduced to the soft-coated Australian-type terrier to produce the Australian Silky Terrier.

The second theory still follows the thought that the Australian Terrier originated from the cross breeding of the broaken-coated terrier and the Dandy Dinmont Terrier. This resulted in the early Australian Terriers having a soft silky topknot. Years later the Australian Terrier breedes cross bred larger Yorkshire Terrier with the Australian Terrier to improve the blue and tan colouring which was lacking. The result of these mating introduced a new breed, the Australian Silky Terrier. The cross breeding between the three breeds continued for many years until prohibited.

In 1904 a Silky Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier Club was formed in Melbourne, where a breed standard was written for both breeds. Sydney followed with their own Silky standard two years later.

In 1932 the Kennel Control Council of Victoria prohibited cross breeding between Silky, Australian and Yorkshire Terrier to protect breed identity, as small Silky Terriers were becoming difficulat to separate from larg Yorkshire terriers.

On 30th March 1959 the Australian National Kennel Council approved and adopted a standard for the breed and changed the name to Australian Silky Terrier. During the drafting of the national standard, the silkies were weighed, measured in height and size, colour was defined as blue and tan or grey and tan and body conformation was defined. The standard was amended in the 1970's to include a fawn topknot as acceptable. Several other theories exist, but we believe that part of both stories are non-fiction and combine to represent the true origin of the Australian Silky Terrier. Who knows?!

Breed standard

General 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. His coat is silky in texture, parted from the stop to the tail and presents a well groomed but not sculptured appearance. His inquisitive nature and joy of life make him an ideal companion.

Size, Proportion, Substance

Size - Shoulder height from nine to ten inches. Deviation in either direction is undesirable. Proportion - The body is about one fifth longer than the dog's height at the withers. Substance - Lightly built with strong but rather fine bone.

Head

The head is strong, wedge-shaped, and moderately long. Expression piercingly keen, eyes small, dark, almond shaped with dark rims. Light eyes are a serious fault. Ears are small, V-shaped, set high and carried erect without any tendency to flare obliquely off the skull. Skull flat, and not too wide between the ears. The skull is slightly longer than the muzzle. Stop shallow. The nose is black. Teeth strong and well aligned, scissors bite. An undershot or overshot bite is a serious fault.

Neck, Topline and Body

The neck fits gracefully into sloping shoulders. It is medium long, fine, and to some degree crested. The topline is level. A topline showing a roach or dip is a serious fault. Chest medium wide and deep enough to extend down to the elbows. The body is moderately low set and about one fifth longer than the dog's height at the withers. The body is measured from the point of the shoulder (or forechest) to the rearmost projection of the upper thigh (or point of the buttocks). A body which is too short is a fault, as is a body which is too long. The tail is docked, set high and carried at twelve to two o'clock position.

Forequarters

Well laid back shoulders, together with proper angulation at the upper arm, set the forelegs nicely under the body. Forelegs are strong, straight and rather fine-boned. Feet small, catlike, round, compact. Pads are thick and springy while nails are strong and dark colored. White or flesh-colored nails are a fault. The feet point straight ahead, with no turning in or out. Dewclaws, if any, are removed.

Hindquarters

Thighs well muscled and strong, but not so developed as to appear heavy. Well angulated stifles with low hocks which are parallel when viewed from behind. Feet as in front.

Coat

Straight, single, glossy, silky in texture. On matured specimens the coat falls below and follows the body outline. It should not approach floor length. On the top of the head, the hair is so profuse as to form a topknot, but long hair on the face and ears is objectionable. The hair is parted on the head and down over the back to the root of the tail. The tail is well coated but devoid of plume. Legs should have short hair from the pastern and hock joints to the feet. The feet should not be obscured by the leg furnishings.

Color

Blue and tan. The blue may be silver blue, pigeon blue or slate blue, the tan deep and rich. The blue extends from the base of the skull to the tip of the tail, down the forelegs to the elbows, and half way down the outside of the thighs. On the tail the blue should be very dark. Tan appears on muzzle and cheeks, around the base of the ears, on the legs and feet and around the vent. The topknot should be silver or fawn which is lighter than the tan points.

Gait

Should be free, light-footed, lively and straightforward. Hindquarters should have strong propelling power. Toeing in or out is to be faulted.

Temperament

The keenly alert air of the terrier is characteristic, with shyness or excessive nervousness to be faulted. The manner is quick, friendly, responsive.