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 exhibi- tor to bait for expression or doing it yourself. Then on the go around, you again get to look the proportions, bal- ance 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 it- self. 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 exami- nation, 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 light- er contrast of fawn or silver (impor- tant 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 that 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 togeth- er, 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 pio- neer of the breed, stated, “The Silky must be of Australian Terrier Type, as distinct from Yorkshire Terrier. Any leaning must go toward the Ter- rier 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 Ter- rier. 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!
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 wooly and some coarse. A true silky coat will have sheen or as the standard says, “glossy”. It reflects the light, where incorrect coats are dull! It should be a single and straight coat. Silk also has a cool touch, where wooly is 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 neces- sary and only messes up the coat and can then give a false picture of the “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.”
BIO My start in Silky Ter- riers was in 1971, open- ing up my whole world in dogs. Be- ing fortunate
to start with a nice bitch, exhibiting and breeding (some of the top winners of their day) was to follow. My prefix is Weeblu and is found in many of the top winners of the breed. I started judging in 1990, but was then hired by the AKC as an Executive Field Representative, covering mainly shows in the Northern California area. After 16 years in that position, I retired and returned to the world of judging and now I’m approved for the Toy and Non-sporting groups. Included in my many club affiliations, I have always been a strong supporter of Judges’ Education at the breed lev- el, serving as Education Coordinator for the Silky Terrier Club of America prior to my employment with the AKC, and now, back in that position. I thank “Showsight Magazine” for asking me to write this article and sharing my views of this wonderful breed.
T op N otch T oys , D ecember 2019 • 67
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