Australian Silky Terriers first appeared around the end of the 19th century. They are believed to have been bred from a number of local and English breeds, including the Yorkshire Terrier and the Australian Terrier. At first these dogs were not clearly defined as their own breed, since they could be born into the same litter as Yorkshire Terriers and Australian Terriers. Australia began to steer away from continued crossbreeding after 1932. The Second World War helped these dogs to spread, as foreign servicemen stationed in Australia brought some of these dogs home with them. They became especially popular in the United States, and after the war hundreds were imported from Australia. By 1955 they were given the name Australian Silky Terrier and were mostly viewed as their own breed. In 1958 this became fact when the Australian National Kennel Council officially recognized them within the Toy Group. The US and The UK were not far behind, with the American Kennel Club officially recognizing them in 1959. In 1965 the United Kennel Club would do the same. Australian Silky Terriers are also recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale and many other major registries around the world.