Grooming the Silky Terrier

By Cindra Grooming Products — USA-Made Professional Grooming Essentials

The Silky Terrier is an Australian toy breed known for its extraordinarily glossy, glass-like silky coat — a true terrier spirit packed into a small, elegant frame. This is a true single coat that requires consistent, dedicated conditioning to achieve and maintain its signature shine.

Coat

The Silky Terrier has a single coat of fine, glossy, silky texture, flat and straight, about five to six inches long on the body, parted down the back. Colors include blue and tan, with the blue ranging from slate to pigeon blue. The coat’s defining feature is its exceptional shine — it should look like glass under sunlight when properly maintained. Erect ears give the breed its alert, terrier expression. This coat requires daily attention to maintain its prized glossy appearance and prevent tangling.

Character

The Silky Terrier is energetic, lively, and confidently terrier in temperament despite its small size and luxurious coat. They are excellent little hunters by instinct, alert, and quick to investigate movement or sound. They are affectionate with their families and known for cuddling, making them popular with families with children. They retain the independent terrier streak and benefit from consistent, positive training. An active toy breed that wants both physical exercise and mental engagement.

Recommended Cindra Products

  • Moisturizing Shampoo — essential for the silky single coat; builds the glossy shine the breed is known for
  • Moisture Plus Conditioner — after every bath; non-negotiable for maintaining the coat’s signature glass-like shine
  • Super Coat — diluted 90/10; daily finishing mist that maximizes shine and reduces static

Problems & Solutions

Problem Cause Solution
Coat losing its signature shine Under-conditioning; infrequent brushing; harsh products Always condition after shampooing; brush daily; use Super Coat as a daily finishing mist
Matting along the body part The coat parts down the back and can tangle along this line if not brushed Brush daily along the part line and down both sides of the body
Static and flyaways Fine, silky single coat texture Mist with Super Coat diluted 90/10 daily

Hands-On Grooming Guide

Brushing

Brush daily with a pin brush, maintaining the natural part down the back. Mist lightly with Super Coat before brushing to ease the comb-through and maximize shine. Follow with a steel comb.

Bathing

Bathe every 2–3 weeks. Use Moisturizing Shampoo and always follow with Moisture Plus Conditioner — this step is critical for achieving the breed’s signature glossy finish. Dry with a dryer while brushing through, maintaining the part as the coat dries.

Trimming

Tidy the feet by scissoring stray hairs around the pads. The body coat is typically left at its natural length rather than clipped, preserving the long, glossy presentation that defines the breed.

Shedding

The Silky Terrier sheds lightly given its single coat. Daily brushing manages loose hair and maintains the coat’s signature shine — the brushing here serves a dual purpose of shedding control and shine maintenance.

Puppy vs. Adult

Feature Puppy Adult
Coat length and shine Shorter, softer; full silky length and shine develop over time 5–6 inch body coat with characteristic glass-like gloss
Grooming priority Build daily brushing tolerance from puppyhood Daily brushing; consistent conditioning

Quick Grooming Schedule

Task Frequency
Brushing Daily
Bath (shampoo + conditioner) Every 2–3 weeks
Feet tidy Every 4–6 weeks
Nail trim Every 3–4 weeks

Resources