Dog breed profile
Silky terrier
A detailed profile covering characteristics, everyday care and linked health conditions.
Quick facts
Typical guide only; individual needs vary.
Profile description
The Silky Terrier, also known as the Australian Silky Terrier, is a small companion and vermin-control breed developed in Australia from Australian Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier ancestry. Most adults stand around 23 to 26 centimetres tall and weigh approximately 3.5 to 4.5 kilograms. The breed has a compact, lightly built body, erect ears and a long, straight, silky coat in shades of blue and tan.
Silky Terriers are lively, intelligent, confident and strongly attached to their owners. Despite their decorative coat and small size, they retain genuine terrier instincts and may chase rodents, birds or other small animals. They are often alert watchdogs and may bark readily at visitors, unfamiliar sounds or movement outside the home. Many enjoy active play, walks, trick training and participation in household activities.
They can become possessive, vocal or demanding if boundaries are inconsistent and may challenge much larger dogs without recognising their own vulnerability. Their light build makes them susceptible to accidental injury from falls or rough handling. This breed generally suits owners who can provide regular companionship, positive training, careful handling and frequent coat and dental care. The Silky terrier's watchful or protective tendencies require careful introductions and rewarded calmness, so vigilance does not develop into indiscriminate suspicion. Because movement can trigger the Silky terrier's chase response, calm exposure and physical management around wildlife and smaller pets remain important even after good training.
Long-term suitability matters more than first impressions when a household is considering a Silky terrier. Noise tolerance also matters when considering a Silky terrier, particularly in close housing where alert barking can affect neighbours before owners recognise a pattern.
First-time dog owner tips
Practical preparation for welcoming this breed into your home.
Care requirements
Routine Silky terrier care combines moderate daily exercise, including several short walks, indoor play, scent games and training activities. Off-leash activity should occur only within secure fencing because the breed may chase small animals. Training should begin early and focus on recall, lead manners, quiet behaviour, calm greetings and appropriate interactions with other dogs. Positive reinforcement and short, varied sessions are most effective.
The long silky coat should be brushed and combed several times a week and preferably daily when kept at full length. Mats commonly form behind the ears, beneath the legs and under collars or harnesses.
Professional grooming or trimming may be required every six to eight weeks. Teeth should be brushed daily because toy and small terriers are prone to dental crowding and periodontal disease. Nails require regular trimming, and ears should be checked for irritation.
Food portions must be measured carefully to prevent obesity. Regular veterinary examinations should monitor knees, eyes, airway function, skin and dental condition. The dog should be protected from falls, rough children and unsupervised interaction with much larger animals. Secure gates and fencing are important because the breed may squeeze through surprisingly small gaps. Preventive planning for the Silky terrier should reflect family history and give particular attention to mobility and joint comfort, eye comfort and vision, skin and coat condition, without assuming that a breed association means an individual dog is affected. Owners should establish the Silky terrier's normal appetite, breathing, movement, sleep and social behaviour so a persistent departure from that baseline can be investigated promptly. Care requirements for a senior Silky terrier should be reviewed as mobility, senses and recovery change; shorter sessions, better footing and easier access can preserve independence without removing enrichment. Seek veterinary advice promptly if a Silky terrier develops breathing difficulty, collapse, severe pain, repeated vomiting, inability to urinate, sudden weakness or a rapidly worsening change in behaviour.
Conditions linked to this breed
Cataract [Cloudiness of the Lens of the Eye]
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Colour Dilution Alopecia
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Congenital Portosystemic Shunts
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Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head
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Luxating Patella
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Progressive Retinal Atrophy Generalised
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General dog health conditions
These conditions can affect dogs generally and are not presented as conditions specifically associated with this breed.
Diabetes Mellitus
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Hypothyroidism
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Otitis Externa (Ear Infections)
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Pancreatitis
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