Australian Silky Terrier: Your Complete Guide

If you’re looking for a little dog that looks like a distinguished gentleman, let us introduce you to a little friend of ours, the Australian silky terrier. These dogs are small, known for their energetic and playful personalities, but most of all, their long and wavy coats. Seriously, their hair game is incredible. 

While this may be the case, that doesn’t mean having an Australian silky terrier is a walk in the park. After all, their long coats require a lot of maintenance, and you need to spend a lot of time with them. If you don’t, good luck having any peace in your life because they’ll bark, run around your house, and even chew on things. What’s more, you also need to keep an eye out for any health issues and feed them a healthy diet to keep them happy and healthy.

As you can see, there’s a lot to learn about this unique breed, and we haven’t even gotten into the fact that they originate from a mix between the famous Yorkshire terrier and the Australian terrier. While there’s a lot of ground to cover for these little guys, the good news is that we have your back. In this guide, we take you through everything you need to know about the Australian silky terrier.

Quick Look at the Australian Silky Terrier

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs. 

Weight/Height	8-11 pounds and 9-12 inches at the shoulder.
Coat Type	Soft, long, and silky.
Grooming Needs
Shedding
Temperament	Energetic, loyal, and playful.
Good With Kids
Good With Other Animals
Intelligence
Easy to Train
Energy Level
Barking Habits
Lifespan	12-15 years

What Is the History of Australian Silky Terriers?

The Australian silky terrier is a combination of Yorkshire terrier and Australian terrier genes, and breeding started during the 1800s. Unlike many dog breeds of the 19th century, the Australian silky terrier was actually bred to be a companion animal. Therefore, we don’t have any elaborate stories about how Australian silky terriers use their elegant coats for camouflage to catch prey, or anything like that – even if it does sound kind of interesting when you write it that way.

Instead, Australian silky terriers were bred as companions that were entered into dog shows. That said, you’ll find that these dogs are American Kennel Club-certified and earned this certification after World War II, in 1959 to be more precise, according to the AKC’s breeds by year recognized list. While Australian silky terriers make good lapdogs, they can still be used for effective pest control due to their prey drive, but they weren’t bred for this reason specifically.

Not a lot has changed for this breed today. You’ll find that they’re still bred to enter dog shows and to sit on your lap as a happy companion.

What Do Australian Silky Terriers Look Like?

Australian silky terriers look like a Yorkshire terrier who puts on an elegant coat. Their long, wavy coats are elegant, soft, and tan/blue in color. While this wavy coat is the staple of their appearance, it’s not all that Australian silky terriers are known for.

You’ll find that these dogs are very small and have a lot of Yorkshire terrier-esque facial features. This is evident in their pointy ears, long snout, and little brown or black eyes.

When it comes to their tails, most Australian silky terriers have short tails, and the hair on their tails and legs is usually shorter than the rest of their coat.

What Size Is an Australian Silky Terrier?

The size of an Australian silky terrier varies a little bit, but don’t worry, we have some clear-cut averages for you. First and foremost, we’ll start with their weight. On average, Australian silky terriers tend to weigh eight to eleven pounds. Sometimes, males will be larger than females, and you’ll find that both sexes tend to weigh more later in life due to a reduction in activity level.

Their height matches up well with their weight, so they look proportional. Your average Australian silky terrier is around nine to ten inches tall. Male and female Australian silky terriers tend to be around the same height. Overall, these dogs are small, so you don’t have to worry about being surprised that your cute little puppy has turned into a medium-sized or large dog.

What Is an Australian Silky Terrier’s Coat Type and Length?

The Australian silky terrier is known for their elegant coat, and for good reason. Their coat tends to be long, and you’ll need to trim it to keep it looking elegant. Otherwise, their coat will start to look a little more on the disheveled side. 

Australian silky terriers also have a soft and silky coat, hence the name. So, if you want to pet and cuddle with them, their long hair won’t feel like you’re brushing up against a brillo pad.

What Is an Australian Silky Terrier’s Temperament? 

If you’re curious about what the average Australian silky terrier personality is like, we have you covered. The first thing we need to note about their personality is that a lot of their traits come from their massive pool of energy. This is why they love to bark, explore, and sometimes act a little aloof. If you let them out to play, just make sure you keep an eye on them.

Other Australian silky terrier personality traits tend to include loyalty, protectiveness, and a prey drive. It’s also important to note that Australian silky terriers do have some negative traits you may want to avoid. They can be prone to barking and separation anxiety, which can be difficult for first-time owners to address on their own. 

The best way to combat these negative temperament traits is to simply socialize and train them. You also need a lot of time to spend with them to keep them happy.

Are Australian Silky Terriers Good With Kids?

Australian silky terriers are fine with kids. They shouldn’t cause too many issues or snap at them, and you’ll find that they’ll even tire each other out. However, keep an eye on them if children are in the 5-10 age range. This is because they may not know how to play properly, and your child can accidentally hurt the dog. 

Are Australian Silky Terriers Good With Other Animals?

The terrier blood in the Australian silky terrier makes them a bit dicey with other animals. Of course, you can fix this with proper socialization. Make sure you start early and give your Australian silky terrier time to open up to other animals. Also, focus on monitoring interactions between them and other animals to avoid other problems.

Are Australian Silky Terriers Aggressive?

“Aggressive” definitely isn’t a word that we would use to describe an Australian silky terrier. You’ll find that these dogs don’t usually have a mean bone in their bodies. The only time they may become aggressive is if they feel threatened.

Do Australian Silky Terriers Bark?

Australian silky terriers do love to bark. After all, they have a little bit of Yorkshire terrier blood in them. Their bark is on the louder side, and if you don’t train them, this can pose issues if you live in a small apartment. Therefore, make sure you focus on addressing barking sooner rather than later; otherwise, it can become a pretty big problem.

Are Australian Silky Terriers Affectionate?

Yes, Australian silky terriers are affectionate dogs. Sure, they may need a little space from time to time, but you’ll find that these dogs will be happy to cuddle up and spend a rainy day indoors with you. 

Still, you may need to wait a little bit until they form a bond with you and open up to you. Thankfully, this shouldn’t take too much time, and you’ll find that Australian silky terriers even open up to strangers more quickly than some other breeds.

Are Australian Silky Terriers Intelligent?

Australian silky terriers are some of the smartest dog breeds around. They may not look like it, but these little terriers are on the same level as German shepherds, huskies, and many other dog breeds. You’ll find that they can learn a wide variety of commands, tricks, and they can even win an agility competition or two. 

That said, you really need to focus on training them properly to make the most out of their intelligence. If you don’t, they may try to escape your home or cause other problems. So, don’t underestimate them, and focus on being positive throughout the process.

Are Australian Silky Terriers Energetic?

Australian silky terriers might seem like lazy small dogs due to their coats, but these dogs have a lot of spunk. They’re alert, love to play, and you’ll find that exercising them for 30 minutes to an hour daily is almost essential. For these reasons, you’ll want to make sure that you can meet their high energy demands before you consider buying or adopting one, especially a puppy.

You also need to ensure that they’re getting enough exercise to avoid obesity, especially when they get older. If you don’t help them train or exercise, well, you’ll end up with one unhappy dog.

Are Australian Silky Terriers Easy to Train?

Australian silky terriers are easy dogs to train, but only if you have the patience for them. You need to make sure you give them enough time to learn the basics before you move on to more complex commands. If you don’t, Australian silky terriers can become frustrated and unresponsive to training.

The good news is that if you stick with positive reinforcement training and focus on 20- to-30-minute sessions, you shouldn’t have any issues training an Australian silky terrier.

Are Australian Silky Terriers Good Watchdogs?

Australian silky terriers are okay watchdogs. If your ideal version of a watchdog is a dog that barks at everyone who passes them, well, you can definitely count on them for that. Now, if you train them properly, you may be able to rely on them more as a watchdog. 

That said, their size doesn’t make them very intimidating, so if you want more of a guard dog, you should opt for a different dog breed.

Are Australian Silky Terriers Good Service Dogs?

Australian silky terriers aren’t the best service dogs. This is due to their size and not their personality traits, so if you need a psychiatric service dog (PSD), they might be a good choice. On the other hand, if you need to rely on a service dog for physical assistance, they may not be able to help you. 

Therefore, make sure you consider your condition and the reason you need a service dog before you consider this dog breed.

How to Care for an Australian Silky Terrier?

A lot of caring for an Australian silky terrier comes down to managing their coat, diet, and temperament. Due to their risk of separation anxiety, you’ll find that Australian silky terriers require a lot of your time. At the end of the day, having several hours daily available for them is required to keep them happy, so if you have to leave them home alone for long periods, this might not be the right breed for you.

You also need to keep an eye out for common health issues, ensure they get enough exercise, and bring them to the vet every year. That said, grooming is likely the most intensive part of caring for an Australian silky terrier.

Do You Need to Groom an Australian Silky Terrier?

Australian silky terriers also require a lot of grooming. The best part about this breed is often their elegant coat, and while this may be the case, their coat needs to stay that way. It’s important to brush them daily to avoid matting. That said, professional grooming and bathing are also required, and this may need to be as frequent as once per month.

Aside from professional grooming, there are a few more things you need to help with at home. Make sure you trim their nails if they aren’t wearing down from play. It’s also a good idea to brush their teeth a few times weekly to keep their chompers healthy.

Do Australian Silky Terriers Shed?

Want to know something interesting? While we covered how intensive their grooming process can be, the good news is that they make up for this with a lack of shedding. Despite their long and elegant coats, you’ll find that Australian silky terriers don’t shed that much, and they’re even a good fit for people who are allergic to dog hair.

What Health Problems Do Australian Silky Terriers Have?

The health problems that Australian silky terriers face tend to be generic conditions inherited from their parents. It’s for this reason that you need to work with a reputable breeder if you want to avoid health problems from the start. Some common health issues to keep an eye on include:

• Luxating patella 
• Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease
• Cataracts
• Dental health problems 
• Allergies to food, dust, and other allergens 
• Tracheal collapse 
• Diabetes (more common later in life) 
• Obesity (more common later in life)
• Thyroid diseases
• Some skin conditions, like Malassezia dermatitis

While some of these health conditions are genetic, many of them occur later in life. Always bring your Australian silky terrier to the vet if you notice any health issues, and we always recommend annual checkups for the best results.

How Long Do Australian Silky Terriers Live?

The average Australian silky terrier lifespan is 12 to 15 years. Of course, they can live shorter or longer lives depending on their circumstances. If you want to help an Australian silky terrier make the most out of their lifespan, you need to ensure that they exercise frequently and eat a healthy diet. 

Also, keep an eye on weight gain as they get older to prevent obesity from developing and causing problems that can shorten their life, like diabetes.

What Should an Australian Silky Terrier Eat?

As puppies, you’ll need to feed Australian silky terriers a puppy food that’s specially formulated for Australian silky terriers. When they’re puppies, we also recommend feeding them three times a day for the best results.

As your Australian silky terrier ages, you should start to change their diet. Still, make sure you feed them a diet that’s formulated for small dogs, and due to their high energy levels, protein and carbohydrates are important. As adults, you can feed them two times daily and give them some treats and snacks throughout the day or as a reward for training.

Is an Australian Silky Terrier the Right Dog for Me?

Whether or not an Australian silky terrier is the right dog for you depends on a lot of things. However, the most important factor to consider is the amount of time you need to dedicate to them. Due to the risk of separation anxiety, you need to have a lot of time to spend with them. You also need to brush them daily, help them exercise, and care for their coats. So, while the size of your space isn’t a big deal, you need to be in that space often.

Now, if you’re someone who has to work long hours and you don’t always have someone at home, the Australian silky terrier probably isn’t the best fit. Of course, if you want a larger dog, the Australian silky terrier also isn’t a good fit. Make sure you think all of this over before you adopt or buy an Australian silky terrier for the best results.