Silky Terrier

The Silky Terrier is an excellent blend of spunkiness and beauty. They have all the feistiness of a terrier but are technically a member of the toy group. But that doesn’t stop these bold and friendly dogs. They are outgoing and love to be the center of attention. Read on to learn more about the Silky Terrier.

Description of the Silky Terrier

These charming dogs are a popular choice for those wanting a compact but sturdy breed. While they are very small, they love to play and are very energetic.

The Silky Terrier was bred in Australia in the 20th century, but their popularity soon spread and they became a fixture in many homes around the world. This is likely due to their friendly nature, keen intelligence, and personable attitude.

Their small size is also a plus for many owners. They have a compact body beneath their long coat of fur. Their alert eyes and erect ears are also signatures features of the breed.

Perhaps the most recognizable feature, and their namesake, is their beautiful coat. These silky strands hang long and straight from their bodies, providing a lustrous shine and soft feel. They are colored blue and tan.

Life Expectancy and Size

As with many small dogs, the Silky Terrier lives a relatively long life of 12 – 15 years. Working with a reputable breeder is a good way to get the healthiest puppy possible and start your dog off on the right paw.

Though technically a toy breed, these small terriers pack a pint-sized punch. They stand 9 – 10 inches tall and weigh about 10 pounds.

Protective Ability

Though vigilant and quick to alert the presence of strangers, the Silky Terrier is much too small to be any source of protection. But you will love his enthusiasm and loyal nature.

Training

Adaptable and quick to learn, the Silky Terrier trains up well as long as you use consistency and patience. It can be easy to let things slide when they give you one of those adorable puppy looks, but proper training will lead to a well-mannered and easy to manage dog.

Positive rewards-based training is a great way to work with your Silky Terrier. They respond well to treats, chew toys, and games, so using these as proper motivation will make training easier and more effective.

This breed loves human companionship so use this to your advantage when training. Spending plenty of time with your dog will encourage him to learn and behave well.

Energy Level

The Silky Terrier is an energetic dog that loves to be active with his family. They are curious, and exploring is one of their favorite pastimes. While they may not be suited for extreme outdoor athletes, this breed will be a great companion for those that like taking long walks or playing games.

Sedentary families can find a great pet in the Silky Terrier as long as he has plenty of energy outlets, preferably those that allow him to interact with you.

What Living with a Silky Terrier is Like

This is an all-around kind breed.

These dogs bond closely with their families and love to be in the thick of things. They are a social and active breed, enjoying spending time with their humans and playing games. You can expect a friendly and entertaining pet in your Silky Terrier.

Care of the Silky Terrier

These dogs are truly adaptable. They can do well in any home where they get enough attention and exercise.

Environmental Needs

Like silk clothing, the coat of the Silky Terrier is beautiful, but provides little protection and warmth in inclement weather. Limit time outside or consider investing in a jacket if you live somewhere cold. Warm weather is usually not a problem for these small dogs.

Exercise Needs

Though small, this breed is truly a terrier and will require plenty of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Playing games in the backyard, exploring new places, going for long walks, and canine sports are all great ways to get your Silky Terrier active and engaged. They prefer activities they get to do with you so make sure you carve out plenty of time each day to spend with your dog.

Shedding and Grooming

Though the Silky Terrier doesn’t shed too much, their long coat requires multiple weekly brush throughs to keep it mat free and untangled. Knots can cause pain and irritation if left untreated.

This breed sheds some, but not heavily.

Regularly trim your dog’s nails and clean is ears to prevent discomfort or infection.

Ideal Home Environment

These dogs thrive in a home where they receive plenty of attention and interaction. They love to spend time with their humans and will be in heaven if they get this. Energetic and active, the Silky Terrier will try his best to keep up, and often does, but may be too small for very active homes.

It is important to acknowledge that this breed has potential health issues that can be costly or time consuming to deal with.

Health Concerns

The most common problems for the Silky Terrier are patellar luxation, eye problems, ear infections, and oral issues. Regular check-ups can help catch, treat, or prevent these issues.

Behavior Problems

Like many terriers, the Silky Terrier is very prey oriented and will be quick to bolt any chance he gets. Keeping him fenced in or on leash will help keep your dog safe.