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Silky Terriers |
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| History | ||
| The Silky Terrier has also been known as: The Sydney Silky Terrier, The Victorian Silky Terrier, The Soft & Silky Terrier, The Silky Toy Terrier. | ||
| The Silky Terrier is originally from Australia and was developed late in the 19th century by crossing native Australian Terriers with Yorkshire Terriers. Breeders wanted to improve the color of the Australian Terrier, and it was generally agreed upon at the time that the Yorkshire was best suited to the job. The resulting litters, however, tended to be split between puppies resembling Australian Terriers and puppies resembling Yorkshires. Fortunately, a precious few seemed to inherit the desired traits from both breeds, and these dogs were bred together to perpetuate a new breed, the Silky Terrier. | ||
| A standard was created for the Silky Terrier in Sydney in 1906. Another, slightly different standard, was developed in the Australian province of Victoria in 1909, but the two were finally revised and reconciled in 1926. The Kennel Control Council of Victoria also introduced canine legislation in 1932 to prevent cross breeding—and further confusion—between the different types of terriers. A breed club was established in Australia in 1959. | ||
| American soldiers stationed in Australia during World War II were attracted to the Silky Terrier’s distinct appearance and brought them back to the US as pets. The Silky Terrier was recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1959, and the definitive standard for the breed was established in 1962. In March of 1955 the Sydney Silky Terrier Club of America was established, although the name was changed to the Silky Terrier Club of America in July of that same year. Still known as the Australian Silky Terrier in its native land, the Silky Terrier continues to be very popular both as a companion and as a show dog. | ||
| The Silky Terrier was recognized as a breed of its own around 1900. The first two Silkys came to America in early 1930's. The popularity of the breed in America owes much to photography (The National Geographic Magazine, Feb. 1936). | ||
| By the mid 1950's enough Silky Terriers had come into the United States that there were clubs formed and exhibitions started in the Miscellaneous Class at American Kennel Club recognized shows. The breed owners promoted the breed and demonstrated consistency in reproduction through several generations. The reward was that Silky Terriers were recognized by the AKC as a breed in 1959. | ||
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Donna Renton (mentor) and Tawny Mist Keajas Black Magic (Licorice) |
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| The American Kennel Club (AKC), and the United Kennel Club (AKC) are the most widely used registries of pure bred dogs in the United States. These organizations classify dogs based on the purpose for which each breed was developed. There are seven categories used by the AKC and eight by the UKC that describe over 150 breeds of dogs. I've combined the AKC and UKC classes. At least 150 more breeds are recognized worldwide and can be classified in the same manner. Classifying dogs by breed purpose is a sound method for evaluating potential behavior. Every dog is an individual and will be affected by early environment and training, if you truly want a dog, it is important to start with a breed that has generations of expertise bred into him. Training will accentuate what comes naturally. You can also choose a breed by the physical characteristics common to the group of dogs you prefer, such as upright ears or hanging ears type of muzzle. If you aren't particular about a specific type, choose a dog that is most likely to adapt to your family routine in energy level, size, and grooming needs. It is also important to know if the dog you choose is able to handle children well should you have children or grandchildren . |
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| AKC GROUPS | ||
| GROUP I: Hounds (AKC) Sight Hounds (UKC) | ||
| Bred to hunt by sight (Greyhounds, Whip ) are fast runners and enjoy chasing small animals though they are usually quiet when indoors. They were bred to work without direct supervision so they are comfortable spending time alone. They are often aloof with strangers. They are long legged with a deep chest, long noses and small ears. Most have short hair except the Afghan that has long silky hair that requires considerable grooming. | ||
| GROUP II: Sporting dogs (AKC), Gun dogs (UKC) | ||
| Pointers, setters, spaniels were bred to retrieve, swim and work all day with a hunter or farmer so they prefer to have company most of the time. They also have enough energy to go jogging and camping. If not kept active they can become overweight. They like to carry things in their mouths. They come in all sizes with long, hanging ears. Many have their tails surgically shortened, called "docked" tails. They come in all coats including straight and short, wiry or long and silky. | ||
| GROUP III: Terriers (AKC, UKC) | ||
| Scotties, Airedales, Bedlingtons were bred to cleverly discover the hiding places of their prey-rodents. They are fearless and persistent and like to dig. Their pluckiness sometimes gets them into trouble with larger Silky Terrier dogs. They come in all sizes. Most have wiry coats and short upright ears. Some have surgically shortened ears, called "cropped" ears, in addition to docked tails. | ||
Group IV: Working (AKC) |
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| Mastiffs, Dobermans, Beaucerons) are bred to work alone protecting territory or work with law enforcement officers apprehending criminals. Guard dogs are suspicious of anything or anyone unfamiliar to them. These breeds usually form a close bond with one or two people although they can be very trustworthy guardians of children if raised with them. Rescue Silky Terrier dogs (Newfoundlands, St. Bernard's) are also bred to find lost people. Rescue Silky Terrier dogs are much more trusting of strangers than Guard Silky Terrier dogs. These Silky Terrier dogs are all large and come in all coat types, some with cropped ears and docked tails. | ||
| Northern dogs (UKC) Huskies, Samoyed, Spitz are also working dogs but are not as territorial as guard dogs. They also show very low levels of aggression toward strangers. They can be more predatory toward small animals than other breeds and are comfortable spending time alone. In fact, Northern dogs often take off on their own if allowed to escape. They usually have a double coat with straight hair over a fluffy undercoat that sheds twice each year. Most northern breeds have upright ears and curled fluffy tails. | ||
| GROUP V: Herding dogs (AKC, UKC) | ||
| Livestock Drivers (PBC) These dogs (collies, shepherds) were bred to help farmers move herds of livestock. They do so by chasing, bumping into and nipping at the members of the herd that stray or lag. They are always alert and will be bored without interesting training. These dogs prefer to have company of other animals at all times. They have upright ears and some are born with no tails. | ||
| Livestock Guards (PBC) These dogs (Great Pyrenees, Pulik, Komondor) are independent and can be suspicious or aloof with strangers. They are bred to protect herds of animals from predatory wildlife such as coyotes and wolves. Breeders often take puppies at a very young age and raise them with the herd of animals they will live with. These are all large Silky Terrier dogs that are comfortable resting with the herd all day and traveling distances over long periods of time. Many of these breeds have unusually long coats. | ||
| GROUP VI: Companion dogs (UKC) | ||
| Toy (AKC) Silky Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Shih Tsu, Chihuahua etc.) were bred to be pampered companions. Those with long coats need extra grooming care. They are very intelligent and sensitive and quickly communicate their wishes to their caretakers, sometimes becoming demanding. They enjoy attention and will learn any tasks that earns it. The toy breeds are small, come in all coat types, and some have docked tails. | ||
| Non Sporting (AKC) | ||
| All dogs whose original purpose is outdated are classified here. Dalmatians were bred to keep carriage horses company, Chow Chows to guard palaces (they also were used as a source of food, so forgive them if they are a little suspicious of strangers) and Bull Silky Terrier dogs to catch and hold animals for a butcher or farmer. | ||
| Pariah or Feral dogs (PBC): The UKC recognizes some of these breeds (Carolina, Canaan, New Guinea Singing)) as sight hounds. These dogs developed around human settlements for centuries and are now considered purebreds. These dogs developed without direct selective breeding by people and are truly multifunctioning dogs similar to the feral Dingo of Australia. Most of them have short to medium coats, upright ears, and are various shades of reddish brown, black or white. | ||
Fighting dogs (PBC): A new group of dogs (Dogos, Canary Island, Tosa Inu) gaining popularity are dogs bred to fight with other animals. The smaller fighters are terriers mixed with bullSilky Terrier dogs..terrier for agility and bully breeds for tenacity and loyalty. |
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| Pit dogs in the past were bred to be aggressive to other dogs or animals but easily handled by people. Since dog fighting has become illegal in the US and United Kingdom, many breeders of these dogs are operating outside the law. Some criminals are interested in creating a dog that will be aggressive to people by breeding a bull and terrier dog with mastiffs to create a larger dog that is wary of strangers. Some of these dogs are used in other countries to hunt large predatory animals such as cougars or to track escaped prisoners. Due to their size, they pose a problem for animal shelters and animal control agencies but they are not pit bulls. See Pit Bull pate for more on this common confusion. | ||
Discover the purpose of the breed you are considering to determine if the breed is right for you. |
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Silky Terriers |