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AKC: Silky Terrier breed overview

Toy group · Australia

Silky Terrier

Also called Australian Silky Terrier, Sydney Silky, Silky

A true terrier in a toy-sized body, dressed in blue and tan silk and still keen to catch a rat.

The Silky Terrier was developed in Australia by crossing Australian Terriers with Yorkshire Terriers in the late 1800s. It looks elegant but behaves like a bold, busy terrier, fond of digging, chasing and barking. It is small enough for apartment life, yet it needs daily activity and training to be a pleasant companion.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

4 to 5 kg

9 to 11 lb

Height

23 to 26 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

13 to 15 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

12 months

approximate model input

Life with a Silky Terrier

Temperament surprises people more than looks with this breed. A Silky Terrier may resemble a lapdog in a show trim, but it carries the instincts of the working terriers behind it: it hunts, digs, patrols the garden and takes on problems far bigger than itself. Around the house it is cheerful, curious and quick, happiest when included in whatever is going on, and it tends to be less clingy than many toy breeds.

The breed took shape in Australia in the late 1800s, when breeders crossed Australian Terriers with Yorkshire Terriers. Much of the early work happened around Sydney, which is why the dog was long known as the Sydney Silky. It was kept as a companion and ratter in homes and on properties, and it reached the United States in larger numbers after the Second World War, when servicemen brought dogs home from Australia.

Silkies tend to be confident with strangers once introduced, alert rather than nervous, and generally friendly with other dogs, although some will stand up to a larger dog without hesitation. Small pets such as hamsters, rats or guinea pigs are often viewed as prey, a reminder of the breed's original job.

What stands out

Training

Silkies are clever and learn quickly, but they are terriers at heart, which means independent and sometimes stubborn. Short, lively sessions with food rewards work best, and variety keeps them engaged. Harsh methods tend to backfire and make them more stubborn.

Read the full training guide

Easy to train

Open with strangers

Good with other dogs

A great match for

apartment living
active singles or couples
families with older children
owners who enjoy regular grooming

Think twice if

strong prey drive toward small pets
barks readily at sounds and passers-by
digging and chasing instincts
coat needs brushing several times a week

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Silky Terrier eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	5 kg	300 kcal	80 g (0.8 cups)
Female, typical pet	5 kg	350 kcal	95 g (1 cups)
Male, typical pet	5 kg	350 kcal	95 g (1 cups)
Male, very active	5 kg	430 kcal	115 g (1.3 cups)

Full Silky Terrier feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Silky Terrier

FeedingSmall stomach, big opinions. 5 kg (10 lb) Silky typically needs about 60 to 90 g of a small-breed dry food a day, roughly two thirds to three quarters of a cup, split into two meals.Read more Puppy growthSilky puppies grow quickly and reach adult size by about 10 to 12 months. 2 lb).Read more ExerciseAround 45 minutes a day of walking and play keeps most adults fit. Silkies enjoy exploring, sniffing and chasing toys, and many do well at agility, earthdog or barn hunt, sports that let them follow their terrier instincts.Read more GroomingThe fine, single coat does not shed much, but it tangles easily. Brush thoroughly three or four times a week with a pin brush and a fine-toothed comb, paying attention to behind the ears and under the legs.Read more HealthSilky owners should know about several conditions seen more often in the breed: luxating patellas, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, tracheal collapse, diabetes, allergies and dental disease. Responsible breeders screen knees and eyes, and some also check hips and thyroid function.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Developed in Australia around the 1890s from Australian Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers.
2Also called the Sydney Silky, after the city where much of its early breeding took place.
3Weighs about 4 to 5 kg (8 to 11 lb) and stands around 23 to 26 cm (9 to 10 in).
4Puppies are born black and tan, and the coat gradually clears to blue and tan over the first 18 months or so.
5Classed as a toy breed by the AKC but as a terrier by the FCI and in Australia.

Silky Terrier questions

What is the difference between a Silky Terrier and a Yorkshire Terrier?

The Silky is larger and sturdier, weighing about 4 to 5 kg compared with under 3.2 kg for a Yorkie. Silkies have a wedge-shaped head, a longer muzzle and a coat that falls to about 13 to 15 cm, while Yorkies are often kept with a floor-length coat. Silkies also tend to act more like working terriers, with stronger prey and digging instincts.

Are Silky Terriers good for apartments?

Yes, their small size makes them well suited to apartment life, as long as they get daily walks and play. The main challenge is barking, since Silkies are alert and vocal. Training a quiet cue, giving them enough exercise and providing puzzle toys help keep noise down. They do best with owners who are home for a good part of the day.

Do Silky Terriers shed?

Very little. The Silky has a single coat, so there is no heavy seasonal shedding, and loose hairs tend to stay in the coat until brushed out. The coat does tangle easily, however, and needs brushing several times a week. Many people with mild allergies find them easier to live with than double-coated breeds, though no dog is allergen-free.

Are Silky Terriers good with children?

They can be affectionate, playful family dogs, but they suit homes with older, respectful children best. Silkies are small and can be injured by rough play, and they may snap if squeezed or cornered. Teach children to let the dog approach them, to sit on the floor for cuddles and to avoid picking it up without an adult present.

Why is my Silky Terrier puppy black instead of blue?

Silky Terrier puppies are born black and tan. The black gradually lightens to blue over the first year or so, and the change often finishes at around 18 months. Some dogs stay darker for longer than others. If the coat looks dull, brittle or patchy rather than simply dark, mention it to your vet at the next check-up.

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