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Breed profile

Silky Terrier

An Australian toy terrier with a fine, straight blue and tan coat. Small and pretty, but a true terrier at heart.

A blue and tan Australian Silky Terrier lies on a lawn with its fine, straight coat spread around it
Silkier than it looks tough, and tougher than it looks.Photo: island silks / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Weight
4–5.5 kg9–12 lb
Height
23–26 cm9–10 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Group
Toy
Origin
Australia
Popularity
#116 US#207 UK · 2025

Known for: Flat-friendlyLow shedding

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Spirited, Alert, Curious, Affectionate.

Health problems to know about

  • Patellar luxation
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
  • Tracheal collapse
  • Epilepsy

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Daily walks on a harness and play; it needs more exercise than most toys. Brush every day to keep the silky coat tangle-free. Socialise early to curb terrier bossiness.

A good fit for

Active adults and families with older children, flats with daily walks, people who enjoy grooming.

Probably not ideal for

Homes with toddlers or pet rodents, people who want a placid lap dog, close neighbours.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Silky Terrier breed information
  2. VCA Animal Hospitals: Silky Terrier
  3. Wikipedia: Silky Terrier

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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