Silky Terriers are small-sized dogs that stand at the height of 10 inches. As their name implies, these dogs feature a beautiful long, silky coat that makes them look elegant. This also goes along with their small, erect ears, and small, almond-shaped eyes that are characteristic of the Silky Terrier.
Despite their elegant looks, Silky Terriers shouldn’t be considered a fragile dog breed. These dogs are bold and spirited, which shouldn’t be questioned as they are terriers. They need time and attention, and they are the best fit for families who don’t spend long periods outside.
If given the right care, Silky Terriers are fun-loving and energetic companions dogs that will surely make your day brighter.
Silky Terrier Statistics
| Dog Breed Group | Toy |
| Breed Size | Small |
| Height | 9-10 inches |
| Weight | around 10 pounds |
| Lifespan | 13-15 years |
Silky Terrier Ratings
| Energy level | |
| Exercise needs | |
| Requires attention | |
| Playfulness | |
| Trainability | |
| Shedding | |
| Grooming | |
| Friendly with family | |
| Friendly with kids | |
| Friendly with strangers | |
| Friendly with other dogs | |
| Prey Drive |
Silky Terrier History
Silky Terriers originated from Australia around the 1890s. They were first developed by crossing Yorkshire Terriers with Australian Terriers. The goal was to create a dog with the robust quality of an Australian terrier, but with the beauty of a Yorkie.
By the years 1906, a breed standard was written in Sydney, Australia. Three years later, another standard was written, which didn’t completely match up with the first one. In 1926, the two parties compromised and wrote a whole new breed standard to follow.
They had many names such as Sydney Silky Terrier and Australian Silky Terrier. But when importation began to America, the breed was named as Silky Terrier.
By 1955, the American Kennel Club finally recognized the Silky Terrier breed. Since then, they slowly gained popularity and now rank 112th as the most popular dog breed in the US.
Silky Terrier Temperament
The American Kennel Club describes Silky Terriers as friendly, quick, and alert dogs. These dogs have elegant looks, but they are not fragile dogs.
They are very agile and love running around. Make sure that you have a secured area or keep them on-leash if you take them out for an exercise. They also have strong tendencies to chase smaller animals.
You’ll find most Silky Terriers as independent, but they are also very loving to family members. They need to be part of family activities and shouldn’t be left alone for long periods. They want to be with you most of the time, and may even tend to follow your room to room.
These dogs can be great playmates for well-behaved children, while supervision is needed for toddlers. You will also find them to be a little bit friendly with strangers. These alert dogs are quick to bark when they see anything suspicious, making them excellent watchdogs.
If you have other pets, you might have Silky Terriers as bossy. They also have tendencies to be aggressive to other dogs and pets. Socialization can help keep this behavior at bay and make them more well-rounded.
Training may come easy as long as you shower them with positive reinforcements. These dogs are quick to learn, sensitive, and proud. They must not be dealt with harshly, or else, you’ll make things harder for you.
Care Requirements
- Nutrition: Silky Terriers need a high-quality and well-balanced meal to keep them healthy and happy. However, it would be best to be careful of the number of calories you feed him every day. They are easy to overfeed, so make sure to ask your vet for advice regarding this. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals are the essential nutrients your dog needs. You should get these from high-quality ingredients only. Protein should be the major component of the dish; second is fat, then carbohydrates. Fruits and vegetables are a great addition to aid your dog’s digestion. In choosing dog food, make sure to select the ones of premium quality. This should not contain fillers and additives that can be harmful to your dog’s health.
- Grooming: Silky Terriers have long, beautiful coats that shed occasionally. However, they need to be brushed twice a week (or more) to maintain it. This will help prevent mats and tangles from forming, which might compromise your dog’s looks. You can give them baths once every four to six weeks. Make sure to use a shampoo that is made exactly for their skin. Cleaning your dog’s ears should be done regularly to avoid ear infection. Nails should be trimmed once a month. This will help prevent any pain and discomfort to your dog.
- Exercise: Silky Terriers may be elegant-looking dogs, but they are not the lapdog kind. These are terriers, which makes them very active and will require regular exercise. These dogs love running around, so make sure to keep them on-leash if you’re taking them on long walks. If you want to make them run-free, make sure that you have a secured yard. Keep close supervision as these dogs are great escape artists as they are climbers and diggers. You can create play sessions so you can do some activities together. This will also make your dog happier.
- Health: Like most dog breeds, Silky Terriers are generally healthy but prone to some diseases. Though it’s not sure whether your dog might develop such a condition, it’s still best to be aware of them. Bone diseases such as Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease and Patellar Luxation can be common to Silky Terriers. You should also watch out for diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, and tracheal collapse. As some diseases are hereditary, it’s best to meet at least one fo your pet’s parents. This is so you’ll be aware of what disease your dog might get. Take him to regular check-ups too, so any changes in behavior can be monitored.
- Lifespan: The life expectancy of Silky Terriers is 13-15 years.
Fun Facts about Silky Terriers
- Silky Terriers originated from Australia around the 1890s.
- They were developed by crossbreeding Australian terriers and Yorkshire Terriers.
- They were bred to kill small rodents or control the vermin population.
- They were initially called Sydney Silky terriers or Australian Silky Terriers.
- Their coats come in blue and tan colors.
- They were brought to America during the Second World War.
- They were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1955; the same year when their name was changed to Silky Terriers.
Check Out Other Toy Dog Breeds:
Affenpinscher, Brussels Griffon, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chinese Crested, English Toy Spaniel, Havanese, Italian Greyhound, Japanese Chin, Maltese, Miniature Pinscher, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Pug, Shih Tzu, Toy Fox Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier