Silky Terrier Information & Dog Breed Facts
Collection of all the general dog breed info about Silky Terrier so you can get to know the breed more.
Group | Hunting Dogs |
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Popularity Rank | 106 |
Reviews | 0 |
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Origin | Australia |
Common Names & Aliases
What other names is a Silky Terrier known by? Discover all traditional, regional and informal names used for this breed. | Australian Silky TerrierSydney Silky |
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Breed Classification
What type of dog breed is a Silky Terrier? Learn about its genetic classification and breeding category. | Purebred |
Size Classification
What size category is a Silky Terrier? Learn how big the Silky Terrier breed typically grows. | Small |
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Weight Statistics
How much does a Silky Terrier weigh? Discover typical weight ranges for adult males and females of the Silky Terrier breed. | 8-11 pounds (4-5 kg) |
Average Weight
What is the average weight of a Silky Terrier? | 9.5 pounds (4.5 kg) |
Height
How tall is the Silky Terrier? Silky Terrier height: | 9-10 inches (23-25 cm) |
Average Height
What is the average height of a Silky Terrier? | 9.5 inches (24 cm) |
Price Range
How much does a Silky Terrier puppy cost? Find current market prices and factors affecting Silky Terrier costs. | $600-$800 If you choose to purchase the Silky Terrier, you should know that the mentioned amount of money is an average of the collected data from breeders’ sites and puppy finder places. If you have a Silky Terrier for sale, please advertise it on a reliable website to make sure the Silky Terrier gets to a happy place. |
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Availability
How easy is it to get a Silky Terrier? How many Silky Terrier are there in the world? | Frequent: The Silky Terrier is easier than average to get. Maybe there is some risk of overbreeding, as it is a popular breed. Due to its popularity, inbreeding may occur. A new study shows that inbreeding contributes to the incidence of disease and health problems. So be careful and seek the help of an experienced person or a professional, in making your decision. |
Intelligence Rating
How intelligent is a Silky Terrier? Discover the Silky Terrier's intelligence ranking and learning capabilities. | Smart: The Silky Terrier dogs have great intelligence. They understand and memorize new commands in 15-25 repetitions.
The Silky Terrier is among the smartest dogs in the intelligence ranking. |
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Training Difficulty
How easy is it to train a Silky Terrier? Learn about the Silky Terrier's trainability and response to training methods. | Silky Terrier dogs are easy to train. They find out the association between commands and actions quite quickly. |
Watchdog Rating
How good is a Silky Terrier as a watchdog? Learn about the Silky Terrier's alertness and guarding instincts. | Silky Terrier dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, they will alert you, but observation isn't considered their main job.
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Territorial Protection
Is a Silky Terrier protective of its territory? Learn about the Silky Terrier's guarding instincts and behavior. | Silky Terrier dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. This breed doesn't hesitate to protect its territory so the Silky Terrier can be a good choice if you want an excellent guard dog. Keep calm and the Silky Terrier will take care of unwanted people or animals. |
Personality Traits
What personality does a Silky Terrier have? Learn about characteristic Silky Terrier temperament and behavior traits. | AlertIntelligentFriendlyResponsiveQuickJoyfulInquisitive |
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Sensitivity Level
How sensitive are they? Silky Terrier sensitivity: | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. Soft punishment affects them emotionally. Silky Terrier dogs don't tolerate irregular daily routines, noisy households, and frequent guest visits really well.
They are receptive to their owner's emotions and make wonderful family companions. |
Affection Level
How affectionate are they? Is a Silky Terrier a good family dog? | High: Silky Terrier dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. They enjoy quality time with their owners despite the activity and are considered great therapy dogs for those in need. This breed responds strongly to their handler's emotions because they bond closely. Their happiness is your happiness. |
Social Needs
How much social interaction does the Australian Silky Terrier need? Silky Terrier social needs: | Silky Terrier dogs are a social breed. They enjoy being around people or other animals. This breed doesn't tolerate being left alone. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam
How likely is the Silky Terrier to run away? Does this breed explore or wander a lot? Does Silky Terrier roam? | Silky Terrier dogs have average wanderlust potential. Sometimes they like to explore the world and they might escape once or twice, but usually, they prefer staying safely at home. Safer to teach them how to get back to you on command. |
Prey Drive
Do this canine have a strong prey drive? Does Silky Terrier have high prey drive? | Silky Terrier dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. Training can help to achieve good behavior. |
Barking Frequency
Does a Silky Terrier bark a lot? Learn about typical Silky Terrier vocalization patterns and triggers. | Average: The Silky Terrier barks occasionally. They can change their barks depending on their emotional level and what they're trying to say. Different barks could mean the same and the same barks could have different meanings.
Top reasons for barking: protection, alarm, fear, boredom, attention-seeking, greeting, separation anxiety, compulsive barking. |
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Playful Nature
How playful is a Silky Terrier? Understand the typical play drive and energy level of the Silky Terrier breed. | The Silky Terrier is a playful breed. Excited barking and sometimes nipping will alert you to play. |
Apartment Adaptability
Can a Silky Terrier live in an apartment? Learn about the Silky Terrier's suitability for apartment living. | Very house-friendly dog the Silky Terrier breed. It's good if you have a small garden where he can go out and do his business, but it's not important at all. You can get enough exercise with one or two walks a day, so keeping them indoors shouldn't be a problem. |
Lifestyle Adaptability
How adaptable is a Silky Terrier to lifestyle changes? Learn about the Silky Terrier's flexibility to new situations. | Average: Silky Terrier dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually. |
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Alone Time Tolerance
Can a Silky Terrier be left alone? Learn about the Silky Terrier's tolerance to solitude. | Silky Terrier dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. |
Bite Risk Assessment
What is a Silky Terrier biting potential? Learn about the Silky Terrier's bite risk factors. | Low 🔽 The Silky Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody. Top reasons for dog bite: protection, pain, excitement, herding instinct, being provoked. (Data based on the available online bite statistics.) |
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Mouthing Tendency
Is a Silky Terrier mouthy? Learn about the Silky Terrier's tendency to use mouth during play. | Silky Terrier dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. It's a common habit during puppyhood, not aggressive behavior. These "bites" don't hurt, but Silky Terrier dogs need to be taught a good attitude. |
Bite Strength Rating
How strong is a Silky Terrier bite? Learn about the Silky Terrier's bite force measured in PSI. | Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Silky Terrier bite force: Weak. The Silky Terrier bite force is considered weak when compared to other dog breeds. The bite force Silky Terrier measurements usually fall below 200 PSI, making them one of the breeds with the weakest bite force. The bite force of a Silky Terrier may be weak, but it's important to remember that any dog's bite can still be dangerous if not managed properly. Despite the bite force of Silky Terrier being lower, it does not make them any less lovable or enjoyable as pets.
Silky Terrier bite wounds might not be as severe, but it is still essential to be cautious and prevent any biting incidents. They are usually not aggressive and very friendly towards children and other animals. To ensure a well-behaved dog, it's essential to learn how to train a Silky Terrier puppy not to bite from an early age. With proper training and socialization, a Silky Terrier can be a wonderful addition to any family, providing love and companionship for years to come. |
Average Lifespan
How long does a Silky Terrier live? Learn about the typical lifespan of the Silky Terrier breed. | 11-15 years The average lifespan of Silky Terrier: 13 years |
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Climate Tolerance
How well does a Silky Terrier handle different weather? Learn about the Silky Terrier's climate adaptability. | Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. However, in general, most dogs prefer average to warm weather conditions, as they typically find hot weather conditions to be uncomfortable and taxing. |
Health Concerns
What health issues are common in a Silky Terrier? Discover typical conditions affecting the Silky Terrier breed. | The Silky Terrier is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
Vet Care Frequency
How often does a Silky Terrier need vet visits? Learn about the Silky Terrier's veterinary care requirements. | Average The Silky Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. If your dog shows any symptoms, call your veterinarian. |
Health Problems
What genetic/health problems does the Silky Terrier breed have? What are the health issues and concerns of the Silky Terrier breed? Most common health risks of Silky Terrier: | Collapsed TracheaLegg-perthes DiseaseEpilepsyDiabetes |
Energy Rating
How energetic is a Silky Terrier? Understand daily activity needs of the Silky Terrier breed. | Silky Terrier dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. |
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Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
How much exercise does a Silky Terrier need? How much exercise do Silky Terrier dogs require per day?
Do Silky Terrier dogs need a lot of exercises? | Silky Terrier dogs have an average exercise need. This breed is satisfied with short walks every weekday and a long ones on weekends. |
Sleeping Need
How much sleep does the Silky Terrier breed need? | Silky Terrier dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered a lazy breed. |
Obesity Tendency
Is a Silky Terrier prone to weight gain? Learn about the Silky Terrier's obesity risks. | Average: The Silky Terrier has an average risk for obesity. Daily walks should be on schedule. To make your dog happy and fit, feed him with quality dry dog food and live an active life together. Try to find the happy medium between exercise and feeding.
If you notice any weight gain, consult your veterinarian and make a diet plan. Reduce unhealthy food and snacks, and measure the Silky Terrier weight regularly. |
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Food Consumption
How much food does a Silky Terrier need daily? Learn about the Silky Terrier's feeding requirements. | 1/2 to 1 cup dry food a day. |
Allergy Friendliness
Is a Silky Terrier hypoallergenic? Learn about the Silky Terrier's suitability for allergy sufferers. | Yes Silky Terrier dogs do well with allergy sufferers by causing fewer allergic reaction. However there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs in the world, there are a variety of breeds that are considered to reduce or minimize the possibility of an allergic response. Coat type isn't necessarily relevant, because most people are allergic to dander (flakes on the dog's skin) or saliva, not actually to dog hair. |
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Coat Colors
What colors does a Silky Terrier come in? Discover all possible Silky Terrier color variations. | BlackGrayTan Blue Cream SilverFawn Tricolor Platinum |
Grooming Requirements
How much grooming does a Silky Terrier need? Learn about Silky Terrier coat maintenance requirements. | Advanced: The Silky Terrier requires a lot of grooming. Cutting the dog's hair by a professional groomer can be helpful sometimes. Regular brushed dog's coat is less likely to shed. Ears and eyes should be cleaned often to avoid infections. Don't skip the seasonal flea treatment too. Occasional dog nail trimming and dog baths are important.Check the local pet store for dog grooming supplies and find the best dog shampoo to keep its coat healthy and to give your Silky Terrier a pleasant experience of a dog bath. If you don't have the time, skill, or money to take care of your Silky Terrier, search for the best dog groomer or clipping service in your area and book an appointment. Maybe you're lucky to have a dog boarding service that includes grooming or walk-in dog bath places nearby. |
Drooling Tendency
Does a Silky Terrier drool a lot? Learn about the Silky Terrier's drooling habits. | The Silky Terrier is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. If you're disgusted by slobber spots on your clothes, the Silky Terrier could be a perfect choice for you. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. It can be completely normal or a sign of a health problem. Certain dog breeds drool minimum compared to others, just like the Silky Terrier.
If you notice any change in your dog's drooling habit, you should contact a vet as soon as possible. |
Stinkiness Rating
Does a Silky Terrier smell bad? Learn about the Silky Terrier's natural odor levels. | Medium ⏺ The Silky Terrier has an average chance of bad smell. Top reasons for dog stinkiness: infection of bad tooth/ear/skin folds, gas attacks. |
Coat Characteristics
What type of coat does a Silky Terrier have? Learn about the Silky Terrier's fur characteristics. | SilkyStraightGlossy |
Bathing Needs
How often does a Silky Terrier need baths? Learn about the Silky Terrier's bathing requirements. | 2-3 weeks Frequent. This breed has high-maintenance hair and may require a bath every 2-3 weeks. For example, oilier breeds may need to be bathed up to once a week.
Because many of these breeds are short-haired, a nice brushing won’t do much to redistribute the oils, so while these oils do protect the dog’s skin from overdrying, they can carry a pretty pungent odor. |
Shedding Level
How much do Silky Terrier dogs shed? How to control, reduce and prevent the shedding of the Australian Silky Terrier? Do Silky Terrier dogs shed a lot? | Silky Terrier dogs shed none to minimal. Having a puppy from this breed you don't have to be afraid of your couch or car being covered by dog hair. Silky Terrier dogs could be the best choice if you don't tolerate dog hair. |
Child Compatibility
Is a Silky Terrier good with children? Learn about the Silky Terrier's behavior around kids of different ages. | Silky Terrier dogs are kid-friendly dogs. This breed is a good choice if you have children. |
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Pet Compatibility
How well does a Silky Terrier get along with other pets? Discover the Silky Terrier's compatibility with other animals. | Silky Terrier dogs are generally with other pets. |
Stranger Friendly
Are they aggressive or friendly towards/with strangers? Silky Terrier temperament with other people: | Silky Terrier dogs are average friendly towards strangers. |
Cat Friendly
How well do Silky Terrier dogs get along with cats? Are they good with kittens? What is this fido's temperament with cats? Can they be good with cats? Can the Silky Terrier breed live with a cat? | Silky Terrier dogs are average friendly towards cats. |
Dog Friendly
Is Silky Terrier good with other dogs? Are they dog-friendly dogs? How well do Silky Terrier dogs get along with other dogs? | Silky Terrier dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. If you want more dogs in your family or you'd like to join dog meetups, the Silky Terrier is not a good choice. |
Good For First Time Owners
Is Silky Terrier breed good for first-time owners? Do they make a good dog for novice owners? Is Silky Terrier breed suitable for first-time owners? | Yes Silky Terrier dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Office Friendly
Are Silky Terrier dogs good office canines? Do Silky Terrier dogs make good office-friendly pets? Can they be office dogs? | No Silky Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly
Are they senior citizens friendly dogs? How well do Silky Terrier dogs get along with the elderly people? What is the Australian Silky Terrier temperament with senior people? Are Silky Terrier dogs good for elderly owners? | Silky Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people. |
Service Dog Capability
Can a Silky Terrier be a service dog? Learn about the Silky Terrier's service work potential. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. A service dog is a term used in the USA to refer to any type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities, such as visual impairment, hearing impairments, mental disorders, seizures, mobility impairment, and diabetes. Service dogs are protected under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
Silky Terrier is not the best breed for service purposes. |
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Therapy Work Suitability
Is a Silky Terrier good as a therapy dog? Learn about the Silky Terrier's therapy work aptitude. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. A therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and people with anxiety disorders or autism.
Silky Terrier is not the best breed for therapeutic purposes. |
Scent Detection Ability
Is a Silky Terrier good at detection work? Learn about the Silky Terrier's scenting abilities. | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.
Silky Terrier is not the best breed for detection purposes. |
Search & Rescue Potential
Can a Silky Terrier do search and rescue? Learn about the Silky Terrier's SAR capabilities. | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and locating missing people.
The Silky Terrier is not the best breed for SAR purposes. |
Maritime Work Ability
Is a Silky Terrier good on boats? Learn about the Silky Terrier's maritime capabilities. | Not really Silky Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. Boat dogs were typically bred for their strength, stamina, and water resistance, as they were often required to perform tasks such as pulling in fishing nets, and jumping into the water to retrieve ropes or lines, or helping to move cargo. Sailor dog is a type of dog that was bred to accompany sailors on their voyages. They were typically used for three purposes: as a working dog, a watchdog, and as a companion. A boat dog is a term used to describe a type of dog that was traditionally bred and used as a working dog on boats. |
Draft Work Capability
Can a Silky Terrier pull carts? Learn about the Silky Terrier's drafting abilities. | Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. Dogs bred for this work have strong builds and qualities that are needed, strength and determination.
Silky Terrier is not the best breed for drafting purposes. |
Military Service Background
Was a Silky Terrier used in military service? Learn about the Silky Terrier's military history. | Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Puppy Litter Size
How many puppies does a Silky Terrier usually have? Learn about typical litter sizes. | 3-5 puppies |
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Pregnancy Duration
How long is a Silky Terrier pregnant? Learn about the Silky Terrier's gestation period. | 60-64 days Reproductive cycle of the female Silky Terrier: The first period called Proestrus lasts for about 9 days.
During this time the females start to attract males. You can notice by swelling vulva and bloody discharge. The second part is the Estrus when the female is receptive for the male. It lasts for about 3 to 11 days. The sign of the proestrus part is the soft and enlarged vulva. The discharge decreases and lightens in color. The third part is the Diestrus. Normally, it occurs around day 14. In this period the female’s discharge changes for vivid red and coming to its end. The vulva returns to average, and she will no longer permit mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time frame between heat periods normally lasts about six months. |
Breeding Frequency
How often can a Silky Terrier have puppies? Learn about safe breeding intervals. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. It is very important not to buy a dog from a puppy mill, where the needs of the pups and their mothers are ignored. It's an inhumane high-volume dog breeding facility, where puppies born several times a year. |
AKC Classification
What AKC group is a Silky Terrier in? Learn about the Silky Terrier's AKC classification. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1959 as a Toy breed. |
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FCI Classification
What FCI group is a Silky Terrier in? Learn about the Silky Terrier's international classification. | Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Toy Terriers section. |
Kennel Club Recognition
Which kennel clubs recognize a Silky Terrier? Learn about the Silky Terrier's official recognition. | American Canine RegistryAmerican Kennel ClubAmerica's Pet RegistryCanadian Kennel ClubDog Registry of America Inc.Federation Cynologique InternationaleKennel Club of Great BritainNorth American Purebred Registry, Inc.American Canine Association, Inc.Australian National Kennel CouncilContinental Kennel ClubNational Kennel ClubNew Zealand Kennel ClubUnited Kennel ClubClub Espanol De Terriers |
Silky Terrier Pros and Cons
- Intelligence Rating: Smart: The Silky Terrier dogs have great intelligence.
- Training Difficulty: Silky Terrier dogs are easy to train.
- Allergy Friendliness: Silky Terrier dogs do well with allergy sufferers by causing fewer allergic reaction.
- Apartment Adaptability: Very house-friendly dog the Silky Terrier breed.
- Shedding Level: Silky Terrier dogs shed none to minimal.
- Drooling Tendency: The Silky Terrier is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
- Child Compatibility: Silky Terrier dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
- Senior Citizens Friendly: Silky Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people.
- Good For First Time Owners: Silky Terrier dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
- Grooming Requirements: Advanced: The Silky Terrier requires a lot of grooming.
- Alone Time Tolerance: Silky Terrier dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.
- Dog Friendly: Silky Terrier dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.
- Office Friendly: Silky Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Silky Terrier History
The Silky Terrier can trace back its origins to Australia, to the 1890s, when dog breeders imported the Yorkshire Terrier and then crossed with their native Australian Terriers. This large-scale resemblance is the reason why, it is really easy for the casual dog owner not to be able to make a clear distinction or to not recognize properly the Silky, the Australian, and the Yorkshire Terriers at first glance.
Australian Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers were the main ingredients used by Australian breeders when developing the Silky Terrier at the beginning of the 20th century. Some of the offsprings looked like the Australian and some resembled more like the Yorkshire Terriers, consequently, the breed was not homogenous at that stage, because of their various sizes and coats. Then, as a solution, Silky-looking puppies were interbred with other Silky-looking ones, until the result was a distinct dog breed, with their unique traits and distinguishing marks. Nonetheless, other breeds were involved in the Silky’s creation process including the Cairn, Skye Terriers, and the Dandie Dinmont, these three breeds were imported to Australia by English immigrants and settlers.
The Silky Terrier’s Australian fanciers have drawn up a standard for the breed in 1906, in Sydney, South Wales. However, in Victoria, another standard was described three years later, in 1909. These two standards did not fully match, they did not agree on the preferred weight and ear type. The conflict between the two camps was eventually resolved in 1926 when a third, final standard was determined, thus the two standards finally condensed into one. Throughout the breed’s evolution, the Silky Terrier had several other names, initially, it was called the Sydney Silky Terrier, yet it became the Australian Silky Terrier in 1955, but in the United States of America, the dogs’ name was changed into Silky Terrier.