Silky Terriers

This is Batman, together with his kids.

“The little dog that fits into our hearts and homes, no matter how large the former nor how small the latter, none fit better of all the breeds than the Australian Silky Terrier.” Frank Longmore, Australian All-Breed judge

The Silky Terrier is a 10 lb. silky-coated dog. He is friendly, but forceful as only a terrier can be. He is agile and light footed, and looks out on the world with a curious air that would seem to denote a degree of intelligence seldom encountered in a dog so small. A toy, designed no doubt as a pet, still he has done his share of worthwhile work, for it is told that he has helped to control rodents on many an Australian poultry farm. (1)

What’s the difference between a Silky and his more popular cousin, the Yorkshire Terrier?

Ash, a dog writer from the 1800’s, mentioned “bonnie wee Skyes with long silky hair.” It can be postulated that at that time enterprising Skye breeders produced a miniature and soft-coated version of their breed. Denied recognition by the parent club, they went on to produce the now extinct Clydesdales, which looked like blue and tan miniature Skye Terrier.

This is Batman on the day he completed his championship.

In the 1840’s and 50’s, the northern English pub owners latched on to these “mini Skyes”. They needed small scrappy terriers for their rat pits (where dogs would be thrown into a pit full of rats and bets laid as to how fast they could kill). The smaller the dog, the greater the betting. These small but tough dogs were bred together with another extinct breed, the grizzled, rough-coated Waterside Terrier and the old-time Scotch Terrier, to produce the blue, tan and fawn of the Silky Terrier and the blue and tan coloring of the Yorkshire we see today.

The father of the Yorkshire Terrier is Huddersfield Ben, seen here below in about 1865.

The Yorkshire then developed from Ben, but what about the Silky? Below is our Tessier Tagalong Heir Apparent, better known as “Albert”. Interesting comparison, isn’t it?

Also interesting is that Ben’s grand-dam, Katie immigrated with her owners to Australia, where the Silky Terrier (also known as the Australian Silky Terrier) was developed.

The facts as we know them are these. Yorkshire Terriers and Silky Terriers are genetically just about the same.

But the Yorkie developed in an industrialized society — northern England — where small size and long flowing coats were prized. Silkys were also developed as companion dogs, but their owners, in Australia, were pioneers who prized the Silkys’ joy of life, independent thinking and scrappy, terrier qualities, resulting in a somewhat larger and tougher breed.

But — What’s a Silky’s Temperament??

Silkys, as mentioned above, are first and foremost a terrier. They are very loyal and love their own people. But they can be dog aggressive, especially to dogs they don’t know. Some Silkys do okay at dog parks, most don’t. In general, young Silky Terriers and very young children do not mix well. Silky puppies are small enough to be easily damaged physically or mentally by even a well-meaning small child.  But a sweet Silky adult can be fine. One incredibly long-suffering Silky boy was even willing to be dressed up and put in his adored four year old’s baby doll’s carriage. Silkys can make a wonderful companion for an older child, as they are always ready for an adventure.

Nemo loved to bathe in his water bowl when he was a baby.

Are Silkys yappy? While I have met the occasional dog that considers barking a recreational activity, Silkys will usually bark only for a reason and are good watchdogs. In general, Silkys have a high activity level. My Rocket visited my sister once for a week. Her husband was a bit concerned that Rocket would be bouncing off the walls. Rocket could certainly be enthusiastic, especially when greeting someone, but soon plopped down in the middle of the room, back legs straight out behind him, alertly watching his people for the next game to play.

Because of their high activity level, Silkys do best with their own enclosed backyard to run off steam and chase rabbits, lizards or squirrels. They can live in an apartment, but one needs to be prepared for lots of walks.

To get more information about Silky Terriers, or if you are interested in a puppy or a young adult, you can contact me (Sandy) best via email at smesmer@yahoo.com. Or you can call Billie at 727 452-5745.

        This is the future Tessier Wild Thing at 4 months old. She is now 10 years old.

29 Responses to “Silky Terriers”

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  18. Jo Anna says:

    I just want to let everyone know I love the silky terriers! I have had two, the first lived to be almost 18, and my Current little price is 14 just last week. They are sweet loveable and sassy, and usually do exactly what they want to do. They own you, not vice versa. rocky is a tessier silky and I want another from Tessier Kennels–healthy and lively.

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  21. Angie Skaggs says:

    I “accidentally” received my first Silky in 1999. Her name was Mattie Belle. My BFF at the time had her & could not handle her at all. Her husband had gone from discipline to abuse with her & that changed her for life. Mattie was always with Yorkies. The instant she was brought into our home, all her bad habits disappeared. We literally did not have one single issue that they had with her. However, we have no children & are rescuers who are very dedicated to the healing of our rescues. She seemed to heal her behavior problems immediately. She was extremely sad for about three months & looking back at those photos are gut-wrenching for us. She blossomed into an amazing, although difficult creature & had a mind of her own!
    I have owned Yorkies since I was 17 & it may be difficult for the lay person to see or feel a difference but there’s a very real distinction between the two breeds. My Yorkies mind me. I am definitely the Alpha & know how to handle that terrier terrorist attitude. Mattie would NOT be controlled. Would NOT.
    I’ve had Yorkies who were “Houdinis” by trade but Mattie is what I called (with great anger some days) my Bolter. She was 13# of pure Sherman Tank. She would drop her head, pop her front legs out at the shoulder & blow through a storm door like a SWAT team. She wouldn’t break the glass but she could knock the door so the latch would fail every single stinking cussing time!
    Mattie once escaped & ended up almost in another county for 36 hours. I was beside myself. Thankfully, some beautiful, wonderful people found her & she was a Princess in their home for that time. I got her back.
    She lived 15 years but ended up dying of brain cancer. It was a heartbreaker. Thankfully, it was just a four day stretch of the tumor “blooming” & her dying. She had an incredible life & was completely adored but she was also a teeth gnashing little brat!
    In February, 2017 my husband & I adopted another Silky from a local Humane Society. This time a boy. His name is Rowdy. Boy howdy. He earned his name.
    His coloring is identical to Mattie’s & his mannerisms are spot on. He is so incredibly different from our Yorkies, it’s unreal. He’s another Sherman Tank & really has to be watched at all times. The front door is rarely open so they can look out the storm door. He’s already done the SWAT team blow through twice.
    We lost two dogs in 32 days (a Yorkie & a Havanese) & we got Rowdy to soothe the grief. This boy has been a breath of fresh air. We have a beagle & what I call a GIANT Yorkie that was rescued after being dumped from a puppy mill. That was named Dickens (also earned that name) & he is 45#. He looks & acts just like a Yorkie but he’s enormous! He’s 18″ at the shoulder. Rowdy is an 8# little bully. Dickens takes orders from Rowdy.
    I’ve come to love both the Yorkie & Silky breeds for the very real differences in their traits. Even though my bolters are annoying – I absolutely love that high-energy “throw the damned ball already” attitude!

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