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Silkshire Terrier |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Australia <> Great Britain -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Silkshire Terrier |
| The Silkshire Terrier is a cross between the Australian Silky Terrier and the popular Yorkshire Terrier. Like its parents, the Silkshire Terrier is small in stature. At around 25.5 centimeters tall and weighing less than 4.5 kilos, these little Terriers pack a lot of personality into a small package. They have a long, fine coat, blue and tan, black and tan or blue and red, and need intensive grooming. Silkshire Terriers belong to the toy group and make wonderful companions. As they need a minimum of exercise, they are excellent pets for apartment dwellers. |
History of the Silkshire Terrier |
| Much of the history of the Silkshire Terrier is unknown, but the breeds that make up this adorable companion are well known. Unfortunately, we don't know when or why the Silkshire Terrier was developed. The breed has become increasingly popular as a pet, however, and is recognized by the Dog Registry of America and the International Designer Canine Registry. |
A little of the Australian Silky Terrier |
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| The Australian Silky Terrier originated in Australia in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This breed was created by mixing the Australian Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier. Although bred as pets, they remain true to their Terrier roots and are also excellent snake and vermin hunters. The breed was not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1959. In fact, in 1996, an Australian Silky Terrier was awarded the Australian Purple Cross of Bravery after protecting his young master from a venomous brown snake. | ||
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| Standard of the Australian Silky Terrier |
A little of the Yorkshire Terrier |
| First recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885, the Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, was originally bred in England in the 1800s to hunt small rodents. Named after the town where it was developed, the Yorkshire Terrier was probably bred from a mixture of other Terriers, including the Skye Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Dandie Dinmont and Paisley Terrier, as well as the Maltese. Today, this breed is most often kept as a companion. Modern Yorkshire Terriers are much smaller than their ancestors, and often accompany their owners in baskets and handbags. They are a fashionable breed and can often be seen sporting hair curls and other fashionable accessories. |
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| Standard of the Yorkshire Terrier |
Appearance of the Silkshire Terrier |
| The Silkshire Terrier is a small, lightweight dog with a long, silky coat that looks more like human hair than typical dog hair. Usually weighing less than 4.5 kilos, these compact canines have a small, wedge-shaped head. Their eyes are brown and almond-shaped, and their ears are straight and pointed. The tail is of medium length and may or may not be docked. The most distinctive feature of the Silkshire Terrier's appearance is its coat, which is long, fine and silky. It is generally darker on the back and neck, and lighter on the face and elbows. Coat colors vary and include black and tan, blue and tan and blue and red. |
Temperament of the Silkshire Terrier |
| Although small in stature, Silkshire Terriers have big personalities. They are intelligent, energetic and alert dogs that cope well in a variety of situations. Silkshire Terriers tend to get along best with older children who understand how to properly handle such a small breed. They can be surly with young children, and many don't get on well with other animals. This breed is known to be an extremely devoted companion, and makes an excellent watchdog. They tend to be rather noisy, which can be problematic for those living in apartments. These dogs are intelligent and respond well to patient, consistent training. However, they are often difficult to housetrain. |
Needs and activities of the Silkshire Terrier |
| Both the Australian Silky Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier are energetic breeds. Because of their small size, however, they tire quickly and don't need large play areas. A short walk or a quick game in the garden will be more than enough to sufficiently exhaust your Silkshire Terrier. Because their exercise requirements are limited, these dogs do well in urban areas, including apartments and houses with small gardens. When outdoors, especially in rural areas, they need to be supervised to make sure they don't fall victim to larger animals. Because they are intelligent, Silkshire Terriers also benefit from mental exercise. |
Maintenance of the Silkshire Terrier |
| Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Australian Silky Terrier are hypoallergenic, making them ideal hybrids for allergy sufferers. Because Silkshire Terriers have hair as opposed to typical dog fur, they shed very little. Their long coats require high maintenance. This breed needs daily brushing to prevent tangling. Because their coats are more similar to human hair than the coats of most other breeds, these dogs also need more frequent bathing. The coat should be kept about 15 centimeters long, and should not touch the ground. Some Silkshire Terriers need trimming about twice a year. Their hair needs to be kept out of their eyes, either by putting it in a bun or having it trimmed. Their ears should be cleaned regularly to remove excess waste and other debris. Teeth should also be brushed regularly and nails carefully trimmed. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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