Ch. Marina's Marvelous Marvin, our foundation sire and multiple group placer,
Top 20 Silky 1986 - 87
Ch. Tessier A Valiant Karasar, Multiple Group Placer and Top Ten Silky Terrier 1992/93 with my daughter Tyra Mesmer
Ch. Tessier Putting On the Ritz, Top Ten Silky Terrier 2001/2002
"Austin", Ch. Lonestar's Tessier Austin, winning Best In Sweepstakes at the Silky Terrier Club of America's 2005 Nationals
This is Ch. Tagalong Tessier Lucky Luke. He completed his championship in Aug. '08 and is now co-owned by 9 year old Gabby, where he will be her Junior Showmanship dog. .
This is a typical litter of Tessier Silky Terriers. For more information, please email me smesmer@yahoo.com. We occasionally have puppies and young adults available to approved homes.
.Ch. Carwyn Tessier By Innovation (Rocket, right), took Poland and the World Show by storm in November '06, not only coming back Jr. World Champion but taking Junior Reserve Best in Show, beating about 1000 other Junior dogs. Go, Rocket!
Rocket winning in Poland
The Silky is friendly, and forceful as only a terrier can be. He is agile and light footed, and he looks out on the world with a curious air which would seem to denote a degree of intelligence seldom encountered in a dog so small. A toy, designed no doubt as a pet, still he has done his share of worthwhile work, for it is told that he has helped to control rodents on many an Australian poultry farm. (1)
What's the difference between a Silky and a Yorkie?
Ash, it will be recalled, mentions "bonnie wee Skyes with long Silky hair." It can be postulated that in the early 1800s enterprising Skye breeders produced a miniature and soft-coated version of their breed. Denied recognition by the parent club, they went on to produce the now extinct Paisleys and Clydesdales, which looked like miniature Skye Terriers.
In the 1840's and 50's, the northern English pub owners latched on to these "mini Skyes". They needed small scrappy terriers for their rat pits (where dogs would be thrown into a pit full of rats and bets laid as to how fast they could kill). The smaller the dog, the greater the betting. Perhaps these small but tough dogs were bred together with the equally scrappy but slightly bigger Black and Tans (progenitor of the Manchester Terrier), to produce the blue, tan and fawn of the Silky Terrier and the blue and tan coloring of the Yorkshire we see today.
The father of the Yorkshire Terrier is Huddersfield Ben, seen here to the right in about 1865. The Yorkshire then developed from Ben, but what about the Silky? Next to Ben is our Tessier Tagalong Heir Apparent, better known as "Albert". Interesting comparison, isn't it? Also interesting is that Ben's granddam, Katie emigrated with her owners to Australia, where the Silky Terrier (also known as the Australian Silky Terrier) was developed.
The facts as we know them are these. Yorkshire Terriers and Silky Terriers are
genetically just about the same.
But the Yorkie developed in an industrialized society -- northern England -- where tiny size, long flowing coats and the ability to hide in milady's sleeve were prized. Silkys were also developed as companion dogs, but their owners were mostly pioneers who prized the Silkys' joy of life, independent thinking and scrappy, terrier qualities, resulting in a somewhat larger and tougher breed.
(1) Reprinted from
"The Complete Dog Book"
Copyright 1979
.
"The little dog that fits into our hearts and homes, no matter how large the former nor how small the latter, none fit better of all the breeds than the Australian Silky Terrier." Frank Longmore, Australian All-Breed judge
Huddersfield Ben in about 1865
Tessier Tagalong Heir Apparent, "Albert" in 2007
Young Adults Available
Very often people only want a puppy. There's certainly nothing wrong with this, if one has the time and expertise available to devote to the necessary training. However as a show kennel I sometimes have young adults available as well. These are home raised, well trained and socialized dogs whom we started to show or champions we are retiring -- all with, as always, a spay/neuter contract. I think that such young adults can be a real find as they are ready to go with relatively little effort. They are no more expensive, and sometimes even less expensive than a puppy. Silkys are generally long-lived dogs, most of mine live to between 14 and 17 years. Young adults also bond extremely well in their new couch potato environment as they are thrilled to have a whole family of humans all to themselves!
Below are two such dogs.
This is Star. Please do me a favor -- don't tell Star her real age (7 years old). Star is positive that she is 2. She came back to me as her original owner could no longer keep her. Star is as lively and playful as any Silky youngster. She is not thrilled about other dogs, especially other females, but would be fine with older children. Star needs owners who are as lively and friendly as she is.
This is Scout, who will be 1 year old in August. Scout is a sweetie and a love. He is about 12 lbs. Scout likes to sit on laps and play with toys. He is also a hugger -- when you hold him he curls his head over your shoulder and squeezes gently. He is okay with older children but is a bit shy around strangers.
A Showcase of Tessier Silky Terrier Wins
1981 - 2009
Silkys, as mentioned above, are first and foremost a terrier. They love their own people. Other dogs, maybe not so well. They can be dog aggressive. My sister Anne now owns Robbie (see his picture below). A couple of years ago, she wanted to go on vacation. A friend of hers' offered to take Robbie, who would hang out with the friend's own two very mellow Golden Retrievers. When my sister's friend came over with her dogs, Robbie chased the two big dogs back into their car. Let's see; ten pounds versus eighty pounds -- times two. Hmm. Needless to say my sister had to make other arrangements. She ended up leaving Robbie with a different friend who had a female Shi Tzu. Robbie loved the little girl, and my sister got her vacation after all.
In general, Silky Terriers and young children do not mix well. And as Silky puppies are small enough to be easily damaged physically or mentally by even a well meaning small child, I do not place a Silky puppy into a family with children under 5.
I sometimes do place a young Silky adult in a family with young children. One incredibly long-suffering Silky boy was even willing to be dressed up and put in his adored four year old's baby doll's carriage. Silkys can make a wonderful companion for an older child, as they are always ready for an adventure. One of my Silkys was placed with a family who's daughter was horse crazy. Her Silky buddy would hang out all day at the barn with her.
Are Silkys yappy? While I have met the occasional dog who considers barking a recreational activity, Silkys will usually bark only for a reason and are good watch dogs. In general, Silkys have a high activity level. Rocket (see above) visited my sister Lucy's once for a week. Lucy's husband was a bit concerned that Rocket would be bouncing off the walls. Rocket could certainly be enthusiastic, especially when greeting someone, but soon plopped down in the middle of the room, back legs straight out behind him, alertly watching his people for the next game to play.
Because of their high activity level, Silkys do best with their own enclosed backyard to run off steam and chase rabbits, lizards or squirrels. They can live in an apartment, but be prepared for lots of walks.
Why Buy From a Show Breeder?
People often say to me -- you're more a bit expensive than those other breeders I can find on the net. I want a pet not a show dog -- why should I get a dog from you? My answer is simple. A show kennel produces the very best pets. We breed for quality adults, our emphasis is not just on "cute puppies". I test for genetic problems regularly with all dogs I use for breeding and the bottom line is... I know my dogs. Point to any dog in my kennel and I can tell you all about his parents, his grandparents, his great-grandparents, his.... you get the idea. What pets-only kennel can do that?
Tessier has produced or shown 81 champions since 1981 -- congrats to our 2009 winners (as of 06.09) Ch. Tagalong Mr. President, Ch. Tessier Panhandle Pete, Ch. RKH Carley Simone, Ch. Tessier Hanky Panky, Ch. Tessier Wyntuk Stylin' By
Ch. Tessier Panhandle Pete, our first champion of '09.
Male or Female? You Decide
Many people contacting me for puppies only want one gender or the other. Their previous dog was a female and so they want another one just like her. Or they have heard that boys can be, well, dirty. Male and female Silkys can both make excellent pets. My rule of thumb, developed over the last 30 years, is the following: Girls want to be loved, boys will want to love you. As to the potty training issue: I have found that the potty training issue really comes down to owner consistency right from the start, and while some are harder to train than than others, this is not based on gender.
Ch. Tessier Hanky Panky is Luke's brother. He was shown to one of his majors by "rent-a-kid" Sabrina Zwers. Hank is Tessier's 80th champion.
What's the deal with potty training??
Silky Terriers, and for that matter, most small breeds, are not easy to potty train. Perhaps it's the Cuteness Factor which tends to ignore actual bad behavior (aww look at Muffin!! How CUTE!!!) perhaps it's genetic. But one thing is a guarantee. If you are unwilling to crate train your Silky, if you are unwilling to maintain a strict potty schedule, if you are unwilling to exercise your dog sufficiently until they DO potty, your dog will use your house as a bathroom. I recommend the following, whether I place a small puppy or an adult: Keep your dog in a crate overnight. First thing in the morning, and I mean before your morning coffee, take your dog out to potty. Praise lavishly when they do so.. Bring them in and they can play loose in the house for about 30 minutes. Then back in the crate. They didn't potty? Back in the crate -- no house "outies". Try again in 30 minutes. Dogs as a general rule will not potty their crates. It is their bed and sanctuary. A Silky puppy can happily stay in their crate to a maximum of about 4 hours. An adult will tolerate 8 hours. As your dog is more reliable, they can stay out longer. My watchwords are kindness, consistency and above all persistence. ! use the potty training system of Ian Dunbar.
Tessier has completed 4 champions in 2009, as of March.
But -- What's a Silky's Temperament??
This is Cruiser, who just went RWD (first runner up) at Nationals. Go Cruiser!
