The Silky Terrier is a native of Australia, where it has long found favour with the flat or cottage dwellers. Unlike other Australian breeds, it has been a dog not solely of the bush country but, for the most part, a companion in suburban homes. For years it was called the Sydney Silky in honour of its city of origin, but in 1955 it became known abroad as the Australian Silky Terrier. Since the late 1920s, it has been regarded in its homeland as a distinct breed, with stud book records maintained by both the Royal Agricultural Society Kennel Club and the Kennel Control Council.

It was first exhibited in Australia in 1907 the period which climaxed years of development. a Standard was drawn up in 1909 after which it went into India and to somewhat smaller extent into Britain.It was admitted to registry in America as the Silky Terrier in 1959.

The Silky Terrier derives mainly from the Australian Terrier crossed with the Yorkshire. Whether those early breeders of the preceding century planned deliberately to produce a dog different from the then existing Australian Terrier, or whether the Silky was a by-product, a sport perhaps, we do not know. Thus we can but surmise on something less than purely factual basis.

At any rate, by crossbreeding and subsequent development the Australians evolved an appealing toy dog of eight to ten pounds, with a silky textured coat of blue and tan. Lighly built and rather low set, the dog is pronounced in terrier character and spirit. The head especially shows strong terrier influence, with its flat skull, level bite and small, dark eyes.

The erect ear, devoid of sidewise flare, is one of the later fixed characteristics effected by Australian breeders, since up until just a few years ago both prick and pendant ears were sanctioned. The double ear carriage may have been a holdover from an old Skye Terrier heritage acknowledged to be part and parcel of Australia's terrier family. Likewise the all-soft coat of the Silky Terrier may be accounted for by an influence due not wholly to the Yorkshire cross, for deep within the Skye lay dormant a factor for silkiness.