Australian Silky Terrier
SILK-ee
Australia· Sydney and Melbourne
The Australian Silky Terrier is a small, glossy-coated toy terrier developed in Australia in the early 20th century by crossing Yorkshire Terriers with native Australian Terriers, bred as a companion with genuine ratting instinct.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Toy
Exercise needs
30-45 minutes daily
Home size suited to
Flat or any size home
Grooming frequency
Daily brushing
Coat length
Long
Sheds
Yes
Lifespan
12-15 years
Town or country
Either, happy in town
Garden size needed
None needed
Where it comes from
Origins of the Australian Silky Terrier
The breed was developed in and around Sydney and Melbourne by crossing imported Yorkshire Terriers with the hardier native Australian Terrier. City breeders wanted a small dog combining a glamorous coat with genuine terrier working spirit.
- Region
- Sydney and Melbourne
- Climate it was bred for
- Temperate coastal cities
- Original job
- Companion and household ratter
The long read
About the breed
Breeders in Sydney and Melbourne around the turn of the 20th century crossed imported Yorkshire Terriers with the rougher, harder-coated Australian Terrier, aiming for a small dog with a fine silky coat but sturdier build and stronger working drive than the Yorkie alone. The result was standardised under various names, including Sydney Silky Terrier, before settling on Australian Silky Terrier, and the breed became a popular companion and household ratter across Australian towns and cities.
Living with an Australian Silky Terrier means living with a spirited, alert small dog that behaves more like a true terrier than a lapdog despite its glamorous coat. They enjoy digging, chasing and investigating, and can be territorial or vocal towards strangers and other small animals. The straight, silky coat parts down the centre of the back and needs brushing several times a week to prevent tangles, though pet owners often keep it trimmed shorter than the flowing show coat.
Today the breed remains popular in Australia and is kept elsewhere as a companion and occasional show dog. It suits owners who want a lively, characterful small dog with real terrier spirit rather than a purely decorative toy breed, and who are willing to keep up with regular coat care and firm, consistent training.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
3/5
How openly the Australian Silky Terrier greets people it does not know.
Trainability
3/5
Bright but can be stubborn, responds best to reward-based methods.
Energy
3/5
Lively in short bursts, content with a couple of decent walks.
Barking
4/5
Quick to bark at visitors and small animals.
Grooming
3/5
Silky coat needs brushing several times a week to avoid tangles.
Suits a first-time owner
3/5
How forgiving the Australian Silky Terrier is for someone taking on their first dog.
Sociability
3/5
Affectionate with family, often wary or vocal with strangers.
Independence
3/5
Confident terrier mindset, will investigate and dig on its own initiative.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Australian Silky Terrier's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Colours & patterns
Recognised coats
Which coats the standard accepts — and which are simply popular.
Blue and tan
Standard colour
The standard adult colouring, silver-blue body with rich tan points.
Grey-blue and tan
Standard colour
A lighter blue-grey variant of the standard colouring.
Timeline
History & development
1890s
Crossbreeding begins
Australian breeders began crossing Yorkshire Terriers with the native Australian Terrier around Sydney and Melbourne.
1900s-1920s
Breed development
Selective breeding fixed the silky coat and sturdier build, known variously as the Sydney Silky Terrier.
1955
Standard fixed
Australian breed authorities settled on the name Australian Silky Terrier and a unified standard.
1959
AKC recognition
The American Kennel Club formally recognised the breed as the Silky Terrier.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Moderately long, low to the ground, level topline
- coat
- Fine, glossy, silky, 13-15 cm long, parted down the back
- ears
- Small, V-shaped, pricked and set high
- eyes
- Small, round, dark and keen
- gait
- Free and jaunty, true and level
- head
- Slightly longer than wide, with a moderate stop
- size
- Toy, 23-26 cm at the shoulder
- tail
- Docked or natural, set high and carried erect
- colour
- Blue and tan, Grey-blue and tan. Colours outside this list are seen but are not accepted by the kennel clubs.
- temperament
- Typical of the breed: strongest in barking, energy, trainability. Nervousness or aggression are serious faults in the show ring and in the home.
- general appearance
- Small, moderately low-set toy terrier with a fine silky coat and keen expression
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
Luxating patella
Screen for it
Ask for a patella check on the parents before buying.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
Screen for it
Hip x-rays in young dogs can flag this small-breed condition early.
Tracheal collapse
Screen for it
Use a harness rather than a collar to reduce strain on the throat.
Diabetes
Low concern
Watch weight and diet through adulthood as the breed can be prone to it.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Australian Silky Terriers added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the Australian Silky Terrier
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Australian Silky Terrier illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Australian Silky Terrier Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Australian Silky Terrier illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Australian Silky Terrier Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Australian Silky Terrier illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Australian Silky Terrier Mug
Ceramic mug with the Australian Silky Terrier illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Rope Slip Lead
Braided rope lead with a leather stop, 150cm. Good for training walks.
Fits any dog
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