theSilky Terrier

Keenly alert, Friendly, Quick
Toy Group Toy Group

meet theSilky Terrier

Did you know?

The Silky developed around the turn of the 20th century in Australia.

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at aGlance

Energy & Size

medium ENERGY &
small size

AKC Dog Ranking

101st
Most Popular Dog Breed

Personality

  • Check Friendly
  • Check Keenly Alert
  • Check Quick
Friendly, vivacious, cheeky; in all ways a true terrier.

theBreed Standard

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Silky Terrier Breed Standard Illustration 01 02 03 04 05 06

  • General Apperence

    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.

  • 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. The nose is black

  • 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.

  • 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.

A Silky Terrier
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theSilky Terriers of AKC

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get involved inClubs & Events

National Breed Club

theSilky Terrier Club of America, Inc.

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