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Interim

General Appearance
Compact, moderately low-set, medium length with refined structure; sufficient substance to suggest ability to hunt and kill domestic rodents. Straight silky hair parted from nape of neck to root of tail, presenting a well-groomed appearance.

Characteristics
Terrier-like, keen, alert, active.

Temperament
Very friendly, quick and responsive.

Head and Skull
Moderate length, slightly shorter in length from tip of nose to between eyes than from there to top rear of occiput. Moderately broad between ears; skull flat, without fullness between eyes. Nose black.

Eyes
Small, round, dark as possible, not prominent, keen intelligent expression.

Ears
Small V-shaped, with fine leathers, high on skull and pricked; entirely free from long hair.

Mouth
Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth even and not cramped, lips tight and clean.

Neck
Medium length, refined, slightly arched. Well covering with long silky hair.

Forequarters
Shoulders fine, well laid back, well angulated upper arms fitting snugly to ribs; elbows turn neither in nor out; forelegs straight with refined round bone, set well under body with no weakness in pasterns.

Body
Slightly longer than height. Level topline; well sprung ribs extending back to strong loins. Chest of moderate depth and breadth.

Hindquarters
Thighs well developed. Stifles well turned; when viewed from behind, the hocks well let down and parallel.

Feet
Small, well padded and cat-like. Closely knit toes with black or very dark toenails.

Tail
Previously customarily docked.
Docked: Carried erect; not over-gay. Free from long feathering.
Undocked: Carried erect, not over-gay. Free from long feathering. Length to give an overall well-balanced appearance.

Gait/Movement
Free, straight forward without slackness at shoulders or elbows. No turning sideways of feet or pasterns. Hindquarters have strong propelling power with ample flexibility at stifles and hocks. Viewed from behind, movement neither too close nor too wide.

Coat
Straight, fine and glossy; silky texture; length of coat 13-15 cms (5-6 ins) from behind ears to set-on of tail desirable. Legs, from knees and hocks to feet, free of long hair. Fine silky ‘top-knot’, not falling over eyes. Long fall of hair on foreface and cheeks undesirable.

Colour
Blue and tan, grey-blue and tan, the richer these colours the better. Blue on tail very dark. Distribution of blue and tan as follows:
Silver-blue or fawn top-knot, tan around base of ears, muzzle and on side of cheeks; blue from base of skull to tip of tail, running down forelegs to near knees and down thighs to hocks; tan line showing down stifles, and tan from knees and hocks to toes and around vent. Blue colour must be established by 18 months of age.

Size
Most desirable weight about 4 kgs (8-10 lbs). Height approximately 23 cms (9 ins) at withers, bitches may be slightly less.

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 and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - September 2007

Glossary of Canine Terms

Health Information

The Kennel Club operates health screening schemes with other organisations.  Some are clinical veterinary screening schemes and some are DNA screening schemes, which may be relevant to this breed.

The current health screening requirements and recommendations for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders of this breed show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by an Accredited Breeder.

Breed specific summary results from the Purebred Dog Health Survey in 2004 are available.  Individual summaries are only available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available to order from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

The Kennel Club Illustrated Breed Standards Containing full descriptive standards for 192 breeds, as well as representation for the six Kennel Club recognised breeds that are currently without standards, this beautifully illustrated volume is a must for all dog enthusiasts. This third edition has been completely revised and updated by a panel of experts and incorporates the very latest standards for breeds in each group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

• AUSTRALIAN SILKY TERRIER CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN. Sec. Ms Welch. Tel No: 01270 663566

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