Introduction
In the early 1900s, native Australian Terriers were carefully bred with imported Yorkshire Terriers to create the charming Silky Terrier. This delightful toy terrier is characterized by its affectionate nature, boundless energy, and its signature long, flowing blue and tan silky coat. With a distinct wedge-shaped face and perky V-shaped ears that stand proudly upright, the Silky Terrier exudes both elegance and spirited personality.
Standing at 9–10 inches tall at the shoulder, Silky Terriers are slightly taller than their Yorkshire Terrier cousins, who reach up to 8 inches. Solidly built, these little dogs typically weigh around 10 pounds and boast a lifespan of 13–15 years, offering many joyful years to their devoted owners.
Caring for a Silky Terrier
Silky Terriers make deeply loyal and loving companions, radiating affection and spirited energy toward their families. To keep your Silky joyful and healthy, they require at least an hour of daily exercise, such as a brisk walk or navigating an agility course that stimulates both body and mind.
In addition to physical activity, special attention must be given to their gorgeous long, glossy coat. Silkies benefit from thorough brushing at least twice a week to prevent painful tangles and matting. Because their luscious hair continuously grows, regular visits to a professional groomer are essential to maintain a neat trim and preserve the coat’s silky texture.
Silky Terrier Health Issues
Generally, Silky Terriers enjoy good health throughout their lives, but like all breeds, they can be susceptible to certain conditions.
Cataracts
Cataracts, characterized by a cloudy lens inside the eye, can range from tiny spots visible only under special equipment to large cataracts that cause the pupil to appear completely white. The larger the cataract, the greater the vision impairment. Since cataracts often run in families, responsible breeders avoid breeding dogs with a history of this condition. Fortunately, surgery can sometimes restore vision by removing cataracts.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is an inherited disorder where genetic mutations gradually cause retinal degeneration, leading to blindness typically diagnosed between ages 3 and 9. While there is no cure, Silky Terriers affected by PRA can enjoy fulfilling lives with attentive care and adaptations to their environment.
Dental Disease
Due to tartar and plaque accumulation, Silky Terriers are prone to developing dental disease quickly. Bad breath, painful tooth root abscesses, and tooth loss can all result from inadequate dental hygiene. If dental disease progresses, affected dogs may struggle to chew or prefer only soft food, sometimes refusing to eat altogether. Regular veterinary oral exams every six to twelve months help determine when professional cleaning is needed. Consult your veterinarian to select the best at-home dental care products for your Silky.
Liver Shunt
A portosystemic shunt is an abnormal blood vessel that bypasses the liver, causing the organ to remain unusually small (microhepatica). This hereditary condition in Silky Terriers manifests in symptoms such as:
- Stunted growth
- Failure to thrive
- Restlessness or pacing
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Head pressing behavior
- Poor coordination
Diagnosis requires blood tests and imaging, and sometimes exploratory surgery is necessary to confirm the presence of a shunt.
Patellar Luxation
Patellar luxation occurs when a dog’s kneecap slips out of its normal groove, often due to a shallow femoral groove. Severity varies, with extreme cases requiring surgical correction. Ethical breeders screen their Silky Terriers for this condition before breeding to reduce the risk of passing it on.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
This painful condition usually affects Silky Terrier puppies, causing limping in one or both hind limbs. It results from an interrupted blood supply to the femur, leading to bone death (necrosis). Prompt surgical treatment is necessary to alleviate pain and correct the problem.
Malassezia Dermatitis
Malassezia dermatitis is a yeast-induced inflammatory skin condition. Affected Silkies often suffer from intense itching, with skin that appears blackened, greasy, emits an unpleasant odor, and thickens, sometimes resembling elephant hide. Treatment varies based on severity and location but can include topical antifungals, anti-itch medications, and oral antifungal therapy for serious infections.
What To Feed a Silky Terrier
Feeding your Silky Terrier a premium, small-breed dog food that meets the nutritional benchmarks outlined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is essential. Collaborate with your veterinarian to select the optimal diet tailored to your dog’s needs.
Aim for a balanced diet where 90% consists of nutritious dog food suited to your Silky’s life stage, complemented by no more than 10% treats.
How To Feed a Silky Terrier
Because Silky Terriers have tiny metabolisms, dividing their daily food intake into three meals—morning, midday, and evening—is crucial at all life stages to prevent hypoglycemia.
Puppies under one year should receive high-quality puppy formulas specially designed for small breeds, as these are richer in calories and nutrients to support healthy growth. After your Silky turns one, gradually transition them to an adult small-breed dog food. Consult your veterinarian when it’s time to switch to senior formulas.
How Much Should You Feed a Silky Terrier?
Follow feeding guidelines on your chosen AAFCO-approved dog food packaging, but for the best results, seek your veterinarian’s advice—a personalized plan considers your dog’s weight, health status, age, and activity level. Always measure food portions carefully to ensure your Silky Terrier receives the proper amount.
Nutritional Tips for Silky Terriers
A wholesome, complete dog food typically covers all nutritional needs. However, occasionally your veterinarian may recommend supplements. For instance, Silkies facing joint challenges like patellar luxation or Legg-Calve-Perthes disease might benefit from joint-support supplements and omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation. Additionally, omega-3 supplements can improve skin health in dogs suffering from issues like Malassezia dermatitis.
Silky Terrier Personality and Temperament
Silky Terriers are affectionate members of their family and generally get along well with children and other pets when properly socialized during puppyhood. Early socialization classes, ideally before 16 weeks of age, help Silkies become comfortable around new people, dogs, and children, reducing their tendency to bark at unfamiliar stimuli as they mature.
Silky Terrier Behavior
Known for their alertness, Silky Terriers often bark to notify their family or gain attention. Managing excessive barking through consistent training early on is vital for a well-behaved adult dog.
Despite their refined appearance, Silkies inherit a strong prey drive from their terrier ancestors and may chase after squirrels, rabbits, or other small animals. Always keep your Silky Terrier on a leash or securely contained within a fenced area when outdoors.
Silky Terrier Training
Thanks to their intelligence and eagerness to please, Silky Terriers typically respond well to training using positive reinforcement techniques such as praise and treats, making training sessions both effective and enjoyable.
Fun Activities for Silky Terriers
- Engaging long walks
- Challenging agility courses
- Earthdog trials
- Fast-paced flyball competitions
Silky Terrier Grooming Guide
True to their name, Silky Terriers breed boasts a flowing, silky coat that requires regular maintenance. Though they shed minimally, their coat needs care to avoid tangles and mats.
Skin Care
Bathing your Silky Terrier every four to six weeks with a gentle, dog-specific shampoo keeps their skin clean and healthy. Since they are prone to developing yeast infections, frequently inspect your dog’s skin for signs including greasiness, odor, dark discoloration, or unusual thickening. Excessive itching or persistent licking and chewing are red flags that merit veterinary attention.
Seek veterinary care promptly if you notice any skin abnormalities.
Coat Care
Silky Terriers possess a single-layered coat of fine, silky hairs that tangle easily without regular brushing. Brush your dog at least twice weekly using a soft-bristle brush to maintain smoothness and prevent mats. Professional grooming every four to six weeks not only trims their hair but supports healthy skin too.
Eye Care
Silky Terriers can inherit several eye disorders. When selecting a breeder, choose one who conducts thorough eye examinations and genetic testing on their breeding dogs to minimize the risk of ocular diseases in puppies.
After bringing your Silky Terrier home, schedule annual veterinary eye exams. If you observe changes in their eyes or suspect vision loss, arrange an immediate vet visit. Common issues like tear staining can be managed with pet-safe wipes, while keeping the hair trimmed away from the eyes helps prevent irritation and vision obstruction.
Ear Care
Like all dogs, Silky Terriers can develop ear infections. To help prevent these, clean their ears every two to three weeks with a veterinarian-recommended ear cleaner, and always after swimming or bathing.
Considerations for Pet Parents
Silky Terriers need at least an hour of daily exercise and tend to be vocal dogs. For these reasons, they usually thrive best in homes rather than apartments, where space and noise considerations are easier to manage.
This breed adores playtime and daily walks, craves constant companionship, and benefits greatly from living with owners who spend ample time at home or include their dog on errands and trips. When properly socialized and trained from puppyhood, Silky Terriers make wonderful family pets who can happily coexist with children and other animals.
A significant part of raising a Silky Terrier revolves around their grooming needs. Regular brushing throughout the week and consistent professional grooming appointments are key to maintaining their luxurious coat and overall health.
Is a Silky Terrier a Yorkie?
No. Although Yorkshire Terriers contributed to the Silky Terrier’s ancestry, these are distinct breeds with unique standards and characteristics.
Is a Silky Terrier a good pet?
Absolutely. Silky Terriers make wonderful pets when provided with consistent training and sufficient daily exercise.
Should you buy a teacup Silky Terrier?
No. Teacup Silky Terriers, like all teacup dogs, often face increased health risks due to their extremely small size and improper breeding, which can lead to serious problems such as hydrocephalus and hypothermia.
Are Silky Terriers high-maintenance?
Silky Terriers do require more upkeep than many breeds because of their energetic nature and their long, silky coat. Daily exercise totaling one to two hours is necessary to prevent boredom and destructive behavior, while weekly brushing keeps their coat and skin in top condition.
Do Silky Terriers bark a lot?
Yes, this breed is known for frequent barking, often to alert family members or seek attention. Early and consistent training helps reduce excessive barking when encountering strangers or other dogs.
