Petcare Hints

Australian Silky - a true blue Aussie

This versatile little is another Australian made product which has won acclaim, not only in its own country, but throughout the world.

It is a one family dog, very loyal with a great sense of humour, affectionate and gentle. As a house dog he is easily trained and clean. The smallest of the Australian breeds, he is none the less very courageous and an excellent watch dog.

It is believed that this breed developed along the same lines as the , being descended from Broken Coated , and early records show that a Broken Coated Terrier bitch of a blue sheen colour was taken from Tasmania to England in the 1820¹s and bred to a .

A Mr Macarthur Little purchased some puppies from these litters and was so impressed that he proceeded to establish a similar type of terrier with a soft coat. Later he migrated to and brought some of his with him. He settled near Sydney and continued to experiment in breeding these little dogs. Several were sold to Charles Hincliffe, who moved to the goldfields near Ballarat in Victoria and the little silky coated dogs soon became well known around the district. By 1908 the breed had become well established. It came in two sizes - over 6 pounds and under 12 pounds. A trophy was offered at the Sydney Royal Show for an owner who won Best of Breed three years in succession and the award was a small gold brick on a chain, known as "The Prince of Wales Trophy".

A club for the breed, the Victorian Silky and Club, was founded in the early 1900’s but a year or two later a rival body was formed in Sydney and called the dogs the Sydney Silky Terriers. Eventually dogs, regardless of the State in which they resided, became known as Australian Silky Terriers.

The Australian Silky Terrier is a compact, moderately low dog with a refined structure but of sufficient substance to suggest the ability to hunt and kill rats. It is a very alert and active dog, quick in its movements and has a fine, glossy long silky coat which parts down the back. The coat is a rich blue and tan with a silver blue topknot. A weekly grooming will keep the coat in good condition and kept as a pet, the dog does not require any clipping or trimming.

This little breed is adaptable to almost any environment or climate and can obtain sufficient exercise in a small household. He is essentially a companion and likes nothing better than to be with his owner. Although recognised as a "toy" breed in the www.petnet.com.au show ring but he is a essentially a and still retains the instincts to 1800 631 784 mouse and rat. Quick to learn and willing to please, many Silkies have competed [email protected] successfully in obedience competition.