THE  AUSTRALIAN  SILKY  TERRIER

BREED-STANDARD:
 AUSTRALIAN -NATIONAL -KENNEL- COUNCIL.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: This dog is compact, moderately low set, of medium length with a refined structure but of sufficient substance to suggest the ability to hunt and kill domestic rodents. It should display Terrier characteristics, embodying keen alertness, activity and soundness. The parted, straight silky hair presents a well-groomed appearance.

CHARACTERISTICS;  it should display Terrier characteristics, embodying
keen alertness, activity and  soundness.

TEMPERAMENT - ( See under Characteristics )

HEAD AND SKULL: Of moderate length, slightly shorter from the tip of the nose to between the eyes than from the same position to the occiput. The head must be strong and of Terrier character, being moderately broad between the ears; the skull flat and without fullness between the eyes, with fine silky top- knot, not falling over the eyes,  {a long fall of hair on the foreface or cheeks is very objectionable.} Nose black.

EYES: Shall be small, round, not prominent, dark as possible in colour with a keen intelligent expression. 

EARS: Should be small, V-shaped with fine leather, set high on the skull, pricked, and entirely free from long hair.

MOUTH: Strong jaws, teeth even and not cramped, the upper incisors fitting closely over the lower [ scissor bite ]. Lips tight and clean. 

NECK: Medium length, refined, slightly crested, fitting gracefully into the shoulders. Well covered with long silky hair.

FOREQUARTERS: Shoulders fine, well laid back, fitting with well angulated upper arms snugly to ribs. Elbows turned neither in nor out. The forelegs have refined, round bone and are straight and set well under the body with no weakness in the pastern.

BODY: Should be moderately long in proportion to the height of the dog. Level top-line, well sprung rips extending back to strong loins. Chest of moderate depth and breath. A top line showing a roach or dip is a serious fault. 

HINDQUARTERS: The thighs must be well developed and the stifles should be well turned and the hocks well bent.  When viewed from behind the hocks should be well let down and parallel with each other. 

FEET: Small well padded, cat-like, with closely knit toes; the toenails must be black or very dark.

TAIL: Preferably 'not' ?docked, set on high and carried erect but not over-gay. Should be free of feathering.    (See under Page tail docking )   "NEW   SILKY  STANDARD  May 2004"

URGENT!
It has come to attention that bills are being passed in the Queensland State Government banning tail docking in this State.
The Minister for Primary Industries department has informed the Secretary that the ban comes into effect from 25 October 2003. From 2005 on in most States.

GAIT / MOVEMENT: The movement should be free and true without slackness at shoulders or elbows; there should be no turning in or out of the feet or pasterns. The hindquarters should have strong propelling power with ample flexibility at stifles and hocks. Viewed from behind, the movement should be neither too close nor too wide. 

COAT: Must be flat, fine and glossy and of a silky texture with a length of coat from 13 to 15 cms[5 to 6 ins] from behind the ears to set on of tail, but must not impede the dog's action.  The legs from knees and hocks to feet free from long hair.

COLOUR: Blue and tan or gray-blue and tan; the richer these colours the better. Blue on tail to be very dark. Silver blue or fawn top-knot desirable. Distribution of blue and tan as follows; tan around the base of the ears, muzzle and on the sides of the cheeks; blue from the base of the skull to the tip of tail, running down the forelegs to near the knees and down the thighs to the hocks; tan line showing down the stifles and from the knees and hocks to the toes and around the vent. The body colour must be free from smut or dark shading. Black colouring is permissible in puppies, blue colour must be established by 18 months of age.

SIZE: Height: Approximately 23 cm [approx.9 ins] at the withers,  bitches slightly less. Weight: Desirable Weight from 3.5 to 4.5 kg  [approx. 8-10 lbs].

FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

NOTE: Male animals should  have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.     END OF Standard...

EDUCATING- NOTE !
Approximately: Much like; resembling,  to bring near
 

  Moderately: Within reasonable limits. 

Slightly: Near equals. Desirable: Having pleasing.

Moderately Long: To a moderate degree without excess.

 
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