The feisty silky terrier was developed in the 1800s in Sydney, Australia because people wanted a dog to live in their small homes. This terrier has human-like hair, and it loses about the same amount of hair daily that you do. These are high-energy dogs that stand about nine inches tall and weigh about 10 pounds. This dog that is part of the toy group requires at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. They want to be with you every second, so they do not make good outside dogs.

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The silky terrier is a loyal companion who loves to alert you to everything going on in your environment. They thrive when they are constantly at your side.

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3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Silky Terrier

Silky Terrier Size and Weight

Silky terriers are elegant compact dogs. Both males and females should stand between 9 and 10 inches tall at the shoulders. When mature, the dog should weigh about 10 pounds. Puppies are usually born in litters of about four pups. Each pup will take about nine months to reach its adult weight. You should expect the pup to put on about 10% of their body weight weekly.

Silky Terriers Common Health Issues

Before adding a silky terrier to your family, become aware of common health issues. While this breed is generally healthy, knowing what to watch for can help you spot trouble early. Patellar luxation, loose kneecap, is a problem in some dogs, leaving the dog running on three legs. Legg-Perthes disease can make it painful for dogs to get around as the hip socket no longer functions properly. Some silky terriers develop diabetes.

• Patellar luxation
• Legg-Perthes disease
• Diabetes

Silky Terrier Temperament and Behavior

Silky terriers have an elegant carriage, and they want to be treated like royalty. They are a package of energy, so expect to spend time exercising them each day if you are going to encourage good behavior in your dog. Watch their behavior, and you will discover that they are very independent thinkers. This can leave you a stubborn dog if you are not a good leader.

While some complain that their stubborn personality trait makes them harder to housebreak than many breeds, you are unlikely to see their persistent personality trait if you socialize the dog early because they are eager to please.

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You are sure to notice that they are a very loyal dog. This personality trait means they want to protect you from any changes in your environment. This often results in barking behaviors that can be frustrating.

How To Take Care of Silky Terriers

It is your responsibility to take care of your silky terrier by providing appropriate exercise, the right food and proper grooming. It is often easier to start with a puppy, but you can often find great pet silky terriers who need a new home at rescues.

The Best Dog Food for Silky Terriers

Since this is a small dog, it must get the correct type of food. While your puppy’s stomach is not very big, this dog has a higher energy level that may burn more calories than other breeds. Lean towards high-protein dog food or dog food without fillers or grains to keep your Silky Terrier’s weight and blood sugar in check, since it may be at risk for diabetes.

Silky terrier puppy food: You can help prevent bone problems by feeding your puppy a puppy food that is high in calcium as it is an essential building block to strong bones. Additionally, choose a food that is high in protein. Expect your silk terrier puppy to eat about 1/8 cup of food per day.

Silky terrier adult food: You should feed your adult silky terrier twice a day. They will need about ¼ cup at each feeding. They are con artists who will try to convince you that they need more. If your silky terrier is very active, they may need more, but you should always be able to see their waist and feel their ribs. Feeding dry food helps prevent dental problems.

A-Z Animals prefers Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Shredded Formula Lamb & Rice Adult Dry Dog Food as the best dog food for Silky Terriers.

We like how much calcium, glucosamine, and protein your Silky Terrier will get from this kibble. The high levels of protein will keep your dog full, and fuel it more efficiently than carbohydrates, which can cause over-eating, blood sugar spikes, and even diabetes in excess. With lamb and poultry, these nutrients also contribute to strong bones, cartilage, and joints.

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Purina Pro Plan High Protein Small Breed Dog Food, Shredded Blend Lamb & Rice Formula – 6 lb. Bag

• One (1) 6 lb. Bag – Purina Pro Plan High Protein Small Breed Dog Food, Shredded Blend Lamb & Rice Formula
• Calcium, phosphorus and other minerals maintain strong bones and teeth. Crunchy kibble and tender, shredded pieces for delicious taste and texture
• Fortified with live probiotics to support digestive and immune health. Used to be known as SAVOR Shredded Blend Lamb and Rice Formula
• High in protein to meet the needs of highly active small dogs. Nutrient-dense bite-sized kibble makes chewing easier for small dogs
• Natural prebiotic fiber from wheat bran nourishes specific intestinal bacteria for digestive health. Vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids to nourish skin and coat

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Silky Terrier Maintenance And Grooming

Many people are surprised to learn how easy it is to take care of a silky terrier. Use a small pin brush or a comb to brush through your pet’s hair twice a week. Wash the hair with a gentle shampoo so that you do not remove the natural oils. Since they do not shed, it is essential to trim its coat regularly. You should also routinely trim the dog’s nails and inspect its eyes and ears for any signs of infection.

Silky Terrier Training

The silky terrier’s stubbornness can make training a challenge at times. Yet, this is a breed that loves to please and is intelligent. Therefore, while some tasks may take longer, this breed responds very well to verbal praise and food. Often, novice owners find it worth the price to get professional help. When possible, begin training your puppy as early as possible. This is especially vital because of this dog’s prey instinct.

Silky Terrier Exercise

Your silky terrier needs about 90 minutes of exercise daily. While many people choose to take their silk terrier for a walk or a run, others train them to compete in Fast Coursing Ability Tests. During this test, the dog chases a lure for 100 yards. One of the fastest in this competition was Karisma, who officials clocked going 17.6 miles per hour in 2018. Dogs that have already won these contests often bring a higher price.

Silky Terrier Puppies

The bitch normally gives birth to three to five puppies in a litter. These puppies will gain about 10% of their body weight each week. Be sure to socialize the pups as early as possible if you want to raise them with cats or other small animals because this breed has a strong prey instinct.

Silky Terriers and Children

Silky terriers have a low threshold for being pulled and harassed. Therefore, they may not make good dogs for homes with small children. Once a child gets old enough to properly take care of a dog, then a silky terrier may be the perfect breed.

Dogs similar to Silky Terriers

If the silky terrier does not seem like the perfect fit for you, there are other breeds with hair similar to the silky terrier that you may want to talk to a breeder about. These include:

• Maltese – Growing to be between 7-and-9-inches tall and weighing about 7 pounds, the all-white Maltese is gentle and playful.
• Biewer terrier – Growing to be about 9 inches tall and weighing about 7 pounds, the bout 7 pounds, the tri-colored Biewer terrier is a loyal companion.
• Yorkshire terrier– Growing to be about 7 inches tall and weighing about 7 pounds, the Yorkshire terrier was bred to help in mines and still maintains its tomboyish attitude.

Popular Names for Silky Terriers

There are many popular names for silky terriers, including:

• Silky
• Bella
• Bentley
• Lucy
• Maggie
• Minnie
• Zoey

Famous Silky Terriers

Even though the silky terrier did not become popular until after World War II, several famous silky terriers have emerged. One of the earliest breeders of this dog was Australian McArthur Little. Many showers still look for dogs that have ancestors from the Australian lines he developed. These dogs from reputable breeders often demand a higher price.

Last update on 2022-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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