The short answer
You can adopt an Australian Silky Terrier in Perth, but expect a true terrier in a toy body: lively, bold, often vocal, with a prey drive and a coat that needs regular grooming. Purebreds are uncommon in rescue and easily confused with Yorkshire Terriers, so set alerts across Dogs' Refuge Home WA at Shenton Park, RSPCA WA at Malaga, the foster-based SAFE Perth and SAFE, and PetRescue, and search for both names. Adoption runs about $600 for an adult, all-inclusive, against well into four figures from a breeder, and the breed is not restricted in WA. Give it company, gentle training and grooming and you have a devoted, long-lived companion.
Why Australian Silky Terriers end up in Perth rescue
Understanding why a dog lands in rescue tells you whether the breed is right for you, and with the Silky the story is mostly about underestimating the terrier.
People expect a lap dog and get a terrier. The Silky is small and glossy and photographs like a cuddle toy, but underneath is a genuine terrier: bold, busy, alert and often vocal, with a real prey drive and a love of digging. Owners who wanted a quiet companion can be surprised by the energy and the barking, and a bored Silky will find its own entertainment.
The grooming. The long, flat, silky coat is the breed's signature, and it needs regular brushing and tidying to stay free of mats. It is not a heavy-shedding coat, but it is a commitment, and owners who did not plan for it sometimes give up on the dog rather than the coat.
Overbreeding. Small, pretty toy breeds are overbred by backyard and commercial breeders chasing demand, so backyard-bred Silkies and Silky crosses, sometimes under-socialised, reach rescue.
Life changes. The Silky is a long-lived breed, so many reach rescue through no fault of their own when an elderly owner dies or moves into care, or a family's circumstances change. These are often lovely, well-mannered dogs simply needing a new home.
What this means for you. A Silky in rescue is rarely a problem dog. It is usually a bright, devoted little terrier whose energy, grooming or an owner's life change landed it in care. If you want a small, lively companion and are ready for a terrier rather than a cushion, you are looking at a wonderful adoption.
Where to adopt an Australian Silky Terrier in Perth
Because Silkies are uncommon in rescue and easily confused with Yorkshire Terriers, search broadly and set a wide alert net. For a fuller directory, see our Perth adoption resources hub.
1. Dogs' Refuge Home WA
A dogs-only, not-for-profit shelter at Shenton Park in inner Perth, running since 1935. It rehomes plenty of small dogs and terrier crosses, each one desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and vet-checked. Browse the current dogs at dogshome.org.au.
2. RSPCA Western Australia
The state welfare body, with its Animal Care Centre at 108 Malaga Drive in Malaga, northern Perth. Adoptions run by appointment, and every animal is health- and behaviour-checked before it is listed, which gives you an honest read on temperament before you commit. Apply at rspcawa.org.au.
3. SAFE Perth and SAFE
Both run a foster-care model rather than a central metro shelter, so a small terrier lives in a home while it waits. Because the dog lives in foster, the notes on its energy, barking, grooming and behaviour with people and other animals tend to be detailed and honest. SAFE Perth lists at safeperth.com.au and SAFE at safe.org.au. Both operate under the SAFE banner in WA, so confirm which organisation holds a given dog.
4. PetRescue
A national aggregator that lists Silky Terriers and small-terrier crosses from many smaller WA rescue groups in one searchable place, at petrescue.com.au. It is the fastest way to scan many WA rescues at once rather than checking each site in turn.
Be wary of any group that asks for money before you have confirmed a real address, a current adoptable-dog list and registered status. Browse the current Silky Terriers and crosses on the Perth Australian Silky Terrier listings.
What an Australian Silky Terrier costs: adopt versus buy
Adoption is far cheaper at the outset. A rescue fee for an adult Silky Terrier or Silky cross through a Perth rescue commonly runs about $600, and the rare puppy usually more, and that fee already covers desexing, vaccination, microchipping, worm and flea treatment and a vet check. A Silky from a breeder in WA, by contrast, typically runs well into four figures, with none of that vet work done yet. So adopting is many times cheaper up front, and the dog arrives already vetted.
The ongoing costs are small-dog sized, but budget for regular grooming of the long coat, good dental care, which is a weak point in small breeds, and pet insurance taken out while the dog is young.
Council registration is a separate legal step, and the fee is set by your local council rather than a single Perth figure. Under the Dog Act 1976, a dog must be microchipped by 3 months and before it changes hands, and registered with your local council from 3 months. A desexed and microchipped dog pays a substantially reduced registration fee. Check the WA Government dog ownership hub and your own council for the current amount.
Silky Terriers are not restricted in WA
The Australian Silky Terrier is not a restricted breed in Western Australia. Under the Dog Act 1976, only five breeds are restricted: the American Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa and Perro de Presa Canario. A Silky is legal to own and to rehome normally. It simply needs to be microchipped by 3 months of age and before it changes hands, and registered with your local council from 3 months, with a substantially reduced fee for a desexed and microchipped dog. The dangerous-dog framework under the Dog Act applies to any breed by behaviour, but there is nothing breed-specific to worry about with a Silky.
Browse adoptable Silky Terriers in Perth
Silkies are uncommon in rescue and easily mistaken for Yorkies, so set a wide alert and browse live WA listings so you hear the moment one comes in.
See Available Silky Terriers →If you have been searching “Silky Terrier for sale Perth”
Plenty of people arrive here after searching for a Silky to buy, and the for-sale listings outnumber the rescue ones. But small, pretty toy breeds are heavily overbred and a common target for backyard breeders and scams. A cheap puppy, a deposit request for a dog you have not met in person, or a seller who will not show you both healthy parents is a warning sign rather than a bargain, and Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for puppies that do not exist.
WA does not run a Pet Exchange Register or a breeder supply-number scheme, so there is no source number to look up here. The practical safeguard is the microchip: a dog sold or given away legally in WA must be microchipped and registered, so ask to see the microchip paperwork before you pay anything. Adoption sidesteps much of that: it costs a fraction of a breeder price and gives a vet-checked dog a home. The RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase has good general guidance on choosing a dog and avoiding poorly bred puppies.
Living with a Silky: grooming, energy and a home-grown breed
The Silky Terrier is one of the few breeds developed in Australia, created here from Yorkshire Terrier and Australian Terrier lines, so it is a genuine local dog with a local following. In day-to-day life it is a small dog with a big personality: it wants to be with its people, it enjoys a walk and a game, and it will happily patrol the yard and announce visitors. Give it gentle, consistent training from the start and it is biddable and affectionate; leave it under-exercised and bored and the barking and digging appear.
The coat is the main upkeep. The long, flat, silky coat needs regular brushing and the occasional tidy to prevent mats, and many owners keep it in a shorter, easier trim, which is perfectly fine and more comfortable in a Perth summer. Keep the dog cool on hot days, stay on top of dental care, and watch the small-dog joints. Do that and the Silky is a hardy, long-lived companion that suits house or unit living.
Adult or puppy, and how to choose
For almost every adopter an assessed adult is the more responsible choice, and Silky puppies are rare in rescue anyway. An adult has a known temperament the rescue can describe, an established size, often some training and house-training in place, and a lower adoption fee. The rescue can tell you how the dog is with people, children, cats and other dogs, and whether it is a barker, so you take on the actual dog rather than a set of hopes.
When you choose, read the foster carer's notes closely. They will tell you how a specific dog does with children and other pets, how vocal it is, and what its coat needs, which predicts the fit far better than the breed average. Older, settled Silkies make wonderfully easy companions for a calm home. For more places to start your search, see our guide to the best dog rescues in Perth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I adopt an Australian Silky Terrier near me in Perth?
Start with the main Perth shelters and rescues: Dogs' Refuge Home WA at Shenton Park, RSPCA WA at Malaga, and the foster-based rescues SAFE Perth and SAFE. Purebred Silky Terriers are uncommon in rescue, and they are easily confused with Yorkshire Terriers, so search for both and for small-terrier crosses, and set listing alerts across every rescue you would consider. PetRescue lists dogs from many smaller WA rescues in one place, and small-dog and terrier foster networks sometimes carry them. Be application-ready and never send money before you have confirmed a real, registered rescue.
Why do Australian Silky Terriers end up in rescue?
Usually because the little terrier underneath the glossy coat was underestimated. The Silky is a true terrier in a toy body: lively, bold, busy and often vocal, with a real prey drive and a love of digging. People who expected a quiet lap dog can be caught out by the energy and the barking, and the long silky coat needs regular grooming that some owners did not plan for. Small dogs are also overbred, so backyard-bred Silkies and Silky crosses reach rescue. Many others arrive through no fault of their own after an owner's death, illness or move, since this is a long-lived breed that often outlives a change in its owner's circumstances.
How much does it cost to adopt an Australian Silky Terrier versus buy one?
Adoption is far cheaper up front. A rescue fee for an adult Silky Terrier or Silky cross through a Perth rescue commonly runs about $600, and the rare puppy usually more, and that fee already includes desexing, vaccination, microchipping, worm and flea treatment and a vet check. A Silky from a breeder in WA, by contrast, typically runs well into four figures, with none of that vet work done yet. The ongoing costs are small-dog sized, but budget for regular grooming of the long coat, good dental care, and pet insurance taken out while the dog is young.
Are Australian Silky Terriers restricted in Western Australia?
No. The Australian Silky Terrier is not a restricted breed in WA. The five restricted breeds under the Dog Act 1976 are the American Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa and Perro de Presa Canario. A Silky Terrier is legal to own and to rehome normally. Like any WA dog it needs to be microchipped by 3 months of age and before it changes hands, and registered with your local council from 3 months, with a substantially reduced fee for a desexed and microchipped dog.
What is the difference between a Silky Terrier and a Yorkshire Terrier?
They look similar and are often confused, but the Australian Silky Terrier is a distinct, home-grown Australian breed, developed here from Yorkshire Terrier and Australian Terrier stock. The Silky is generally a little larger and lower-set than a Yorkie, with a flat, silky blue-and-tan coat that sits closer to the body, and many people find it a touch more robust and terrier-like in character. In rescue the two are easy to mix up, so if you are set on one, ask the rescue and search for both names.
Is an Australian Silky Terrier a good first dog?
It can be a good first dog for someone who wants a small, lively companion and is ready for a true terrier rather than a placid lap dog. Expect energy, boldness, some barking and a prey drive, plus a coat that needs regular grooming. With early training and socialisation the Silky is affectionate, devoted and long-lived. It suits an owner who will give it company, gentle training and grooming, and it is small enough for apartment or unit living if it gets its walks and play.
Are Australian Silky Terriers good with children and other pets?
With sensible introductions, generally yes, though the usual small-dog cautions apply. A well-socialised Silky can be affectionate and playful with older, gentle children, but like most toy breeds it is fragile and can be snappy if handled roughly, so it often suits a home with calm, considerate children better than toddlers. The terrier prey drive means careful introductions to cats, birds and small animals. A foster carer who has lived with the individual dog can tell you exactly how it is with children and other pets, which matters more than the breed average.
Is it safe to buy an Australian Silky Terrier online?
Be careful. Small, pretty toy breeds are heavily overbred and a common target for backyard breeders and scams. A cheap puppy, a deposit request for a dog you have not met in person, or a seller who will not show you both healthy parents is a warning sign rather than a bargain. Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for puppies that do not exist. WA has no breeder source-number register, so ask to see the microchip paperwork before you commit any money, since a dog sold or given away legally in WA must be microchipped and registered. Adoption sidesteps most of that risk.
Keep reading
Adoptable Silky Terriers in Perth
Live listings of Australian Silky Terriers and crosses across Perth and WA rescues.
Best Dog Rescues in Perth
The verified shelters and foster rescues to set alerts with across Perth and WA.
Registering a Dog in Perth
Council registration, microchipping and the WA Dog Act rules for a new dog.
All Dogs for Adoption in Perth
Every adoptable dog we track across Perth and WA shelters and rescues, updated regularly.