Judging the Silky Terrier

This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, February 2014 issue.

Judging the Silky Terrier

Assuming you’ve read the Silky Terrier Standard and understand that the Silky originated (through the breeding of the Australian Terrier to the Yorkshire Terrier in the late 1800s) in Australia, I’ll try to give an overview of what I look for when judging the Silky.

Foremost in my mind when they come into the ring, I want the proper temperament. I prefer to have all entries go around before being tabled, even single classes. This not only gives the dog a chance to become familiar with the ring, but it also helps me as a judge.

A Silky Terrier should go around with the air of a Terrier—alert and aware of his surroundings. The Silky standard states, “…shyness or excessive nervousness to be faulted, the manner is quick, friendly, responsive.” This is not always “showmanship,” but “temperament.” The term, “he won because he is so showy,” may only mean that the dog is true to its standard.

Temperament in any breed is of major importance and should be specific to that breed. At this time, I can also assess the size, color, outline, and balance.

When viewed from the side on the table, you can see the size and substance of bone, proportions, and the length of coat. I’m big on proper size (no more than 10 inches at the withers) as it’s part of type. As stated in the standard, “of refined bone structure, but of sufficient substance to suggest the ability to hunt and kill domestic rodents”—for which most Silkys are very good. So, not as fine as the Yorkshire Terrier or as heavy as the Australian Terrier.

If being shown on the grass, you get a false sense regarding the length of the coat. It should follow the body outline. “It should not approach floor length” and should be “well-groomed but not sculptured.” In other words, the coat should look as natural as possible.

The dogs with the proper silk texture have to be careful in their grooming. Silk is strong; therefore, it does not break easily. So, it can be so long that careful trimming is required, but again, it should look natural. As for head hair (the Silky having the Yorkshire Terrier in its immediate background), it should not resemble the glamorous Yorkie by having excessive head and facial hair. They should have fairly clean muzzles, ears, feet, and short hair on the docked tail with dark hair on the tip as in the Australian Terrier.

Going to the front of the dog, I cup my hands behind the ears and jaws. This gives me a chance to view the head shape, eyes, nose, and shape of ears. When viewing the eyes, pay close attention to the shape, as a dog with thick dark eye rims can appear to have eyes that look round when at a distance. You then check for a strong and well-aligned scissors bite.

This is where our first serious fault comes in: “An undershot or overshot bite is a serious fault.”

The rest of the exam is similar to many other breeds with the exception of bone and coat texture. The Silky should have good body substance, which they get from the Australian Terrier. The coat texture is SILKY, as is the Yorkshire Terrier. We have all types of coat, from soft to woolly and some coarse. A true silky coat will have sheen or, as the standard says, “glossy.” It reflects the light, whereas incorrect coats are dull! It should be a single and straight coat. Silk also has a cool touch, while wooly coats are warm.

Don’t check the topline on any single-coated dog that is parted down the body by running your hand back and forth on the topline. It is not necessary and only messes up the coat, giving a false picture of the topline going around. A single coat lies flat, so view the topline while the dog is moving!

There are two statements being used today which I feel are important to judging. The first is, “examine on the table and judge on the ground.” The second is something like, “find the dogs of good breed type and then the soundest of these.”

When I have the dog gaited up and back, I want to see a fairly loose lead which allows the dog freedom of movement. Upon their return is where you assess the placement of the ears, either by allowing the exhibitor to bait for expression or doing it yourself. Then, on the go-around, you again get to look at the proportions, balance, as well as topline. This includes the tail carriage and set.

When the dog is in a standing position, the tail can go to a two o’clock position. The standard reads, “The tail is docked, set high, and carried at twelve to two o’clock position.”

In my ring, I want the dog to show itself. A Silky is not a statue. If this is done, you lose some of the character of the breed. Being a Terrier, I prefer to have the handlers stand with the dog, realizing they must get down or bend over to groom after the examination, but not for any length of time.

As for color, the Silky standard allows any shade of blue, from a dark slate to silver. However, with that blue body coat, the dog must have good tan on its face (muzzle, between and slightly over the eyes), ears, legs, and around the vent. The hair on the top of the head (fall/topknot) is to be silver or fawn. The fall should be clear in color as an adult, free of dark shadings, but may not be on a puppy. However, the puppy should show signs of breaking without any black hairs.

So, when you look at the expression, the face and ears should be tan, with the fall a lighter contrast of fawn or silver (important to breed type). A beautiful sight when correct, and is another thing that shows the differences between the Silky and the Yorkshire Terrier. Silkys are born black and tan, so many times you will see black on the ends of the blue body coat and the fall. This is just a maturing process.

At the end, I like to place them in the order I think I want them, go around together, and occasionally you might change a placement. I believe you learn by comparison and you certainly judge that way.

Mr. W. A. (Fred) Wheatland, a pioneer of the breed, stated, “The Silky must be of Australian Terrier type, as distinct from Yorkshire Terrier. Any leaning must go toward the Terrier type rather than solely to the Toy type.” Meaning, the Silky is more Australian Terrier in type, but with the silky coat of the Yorkshire Terrier.

Another important quote: “Look for the good points in your dogs, and put them up for their virtues and not down for their defects.” Words to judge by!