Silky terrier are extremely intelligent , odd , and ready for an dangerous undertaking . These little wienerwurst are well - known for their long sleek coats and silly personality .
The silky terrier ( also called " silkies " for short ) is arare breed in the United States . Thesesmall dogsare in a flash identifiable by their silky coats that , just as their name suggests , are silky to the touch . That silky fur make them a good breed for someone with allergy because their human - like hairdoesn’t shed much(though it ’s significant to knowno dog is in truth hypoallergenic ) .
Those who raise silky terrier fall in love life with their curious , mirthful , and clever personalities . If you ’re willing to put in time training andsocializing your silky terrier(they can be a small nervous and shy ) then this modest , low - hackles frankfurter could be a perfect tantrum for you .
Appearance
The silky terrier is small in height , but owners often say they have the personality of alarge hotdog . Silkies valuate just 10 inches at their tallest and librate between 8–10 Ezra Loomis Pound , which make them the perfect pup for an on - the - go lifestyle . Never one to shy away from an risky venture , the silky terrier get it on to accompany possessor on every activityfrom road tripsto hiking .
silken terrier are make out for their straight , lustrous manes that can be kept tenacious or scant , depend on the possessor ’s penchant . Their coats are a stunning color combo ; their confront a full-bodied tan and their body and backside a silvern shade of blueness . While their signature coif may seem intimidating at a glance , the silky terrier ’s pelage is actually easy to observe with regular brush .
Tarianne Terrazas Quintana , a member of theSilky Terrier Club of America ( STCA)board of directors , hop more people will get to hump the silky and recognize that theymake a slap-up family dogor companion dog for individuals with an on - the - go lifestyle .
" It can be off - putting to people when they see the retentive flowing pelage , but this is a sturdy , wonderful family line hotdog , " Quintana say . " I would love to see more people fall in love with this breed because they are wondrous . "
Temperament
The silky terrier isa bright , active dogwho can apprize advert out at home with her owners as much as ahike in the woods . Thistoy breedcarries a stereotypical terrier disposition : They often have strong - willed personality and are dedicated to their sleep with ones .
Ashighly levelheaded pups , a silky often thinks of herself as a one - dog neighborhood watch — so bundle deliverers should beware her mighty barque . Donna Hitz , a member of the STCA control panel of directors , tell silkies are good at alarm their owners to any visitors or animals ( include the occasional scampering squirrel ) that approach the house . owner can civilise their silky terrier tominimize unnecessary barkingbut need to know it ’s a part of their nature .
" You demand to work out with them ; they are smart , but they have a terrier temperament , " Hitz says . " Remember that they are a 100 - Syrian pound dog in a 10 - pound physical structure … There is not last to be a person who comes to my door or a Alces alces in my yard that they will not discourage me about . "
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Sandy Mesmer , another member of the STCA board of theatre director who has trained silky terrier , say it is important to be patient with your silky . Silkies often desire to learn on their own docket , and they are selective with who they opt to give their obedience to .
" I do n’t even look at it as [ wilfulness ] , " Mesmer says . " It ’s that silkies want to be your partner , and what they think has value as well . They were bred to be independent workers , so that is their hard - wiring . "
Potential owners should be prepared forpositive reinforcement trainingand consistent brusque training activities to betroth their silky .
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Living Needs
As a highly curious hound , the silky terrier craves adventure and engagement . With her inadequate stature , shelives well in apartmentsand other small homes — but owners should be gear up fordaily walks twelvemonth - roundand other forms of stimulation , such asinteractive toysand playing games . Many silky terrier stand out at agility work or earthdog test , which are scent competitions for blackguard earlier spawn to hunt rats or other vermin .
Above all else , the silky is glad when she is entertaining her opt people . Her desire to be the center of attention can mean your silky might get jealous of other dogs or pets who steal her glare . In ordering to combat this jealous streak , it is important to socialise your silky terrier puppy well .
Like many terriers , the silken cansuffer from separation anxietyand should not be left at home alone for long periods of time . If her nervousness is left unaddressed , the silky can express her frustration with loud barking . Silkies choose exploration , and they would rather accompany you on junket or errand than be leave alone behind . Thankfully , Hitz tell the silky is loose to take on any type of trip .
" They ’re little and they ’re sluttish to take with you , even on a planer , " Hitz says . " We take ours with us all the time anytime we travel . They ’re so adaptable . I am so beaming it ’s the breed that I got involved in so many years ago because it has just been entertaining , consoling , and merriment . Silkies are a great domestic dog strain . "
Care
quick for the open secret of the silky terrier public ? It ’s really nottootricky to get that flowing pelage to shine at rest home ! Mesmer says the silky terrier is among the easiest straight - coat frankfurter to groom , as long as owners are willing tokeep up with weekly bathsand brush sessions . Anatural bristle hot dog brushor a India rubber comb can keep a silky terrier looking her best .
" It ’s surprising because you ’d remember with that long hair that that would be a lot of work , " Messmer say . " But a good silky just needs a bathroom and a skirmish once a week . "
The Silky Terrier Club of Americaadvises ownersto habituate a moisturizing shampoo and a detangling leave - in conditioner to clean their whelp . You might even be able to use your own — because the silky terrier ’s pelage is interchangeable enough to human hair , human mathematical product can safely be used . And just like us , the silky can also get split ends , so ensure they get even coat trims to avert hair breakage .
satiny terriers alsoneed their teeth brushedregularly , theirnails kept short , and their ear occasionallychecked and cleaned .
In addition to steady training , owner should gear up to take the air their silky every mean solar day and put in sentence with confirming support training to ensure she does n’t bark unnecessarily or chase other animals . terrier in special are prone to take off after squirrels and chipmunks , since they were breed to do precisely that . But Quintana says that with simpleobedience training(think : the " leave it " discriminative stimulus ) , a silky terrier can be teach to control those instincts .
" If you have a cat or other animals , you just need to make certain your silky terrier knows the rules , " Quintana says . " They are smart , and once you lay the prescript out , they by all odds remember . They have very long memories . "
Health
The silky terrier boasts a reputation for being anespecially healthy breedwith along lifespanof 13–15 years . Regardless of their effective health , owners will desire to watch for the stock issuance that plaything breeds can find . One potential matter includeshypothyroidism , a condition where a dog has an underactive thyroid secretory organ and can experience unexplained weight unit increase or lethargic behavior .
The most meaning challenge for shoot for silky terrier owner may be finding a purebred dog in the first position . Because the silky terrier is a relatively rare breed in the U.S. , people should be especially diligent about working with a reputable breeder who is dedicated to grow goodish litter .
Silky terrier breeder should always be willing to apportion the results of health screeningsrecommended by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals , including an eye interrogatory andevaluation for slip genus Patella .
People who are interested in slick terrier can await for dogs on thebreeder resource pageoffered by the Silky Terrier Club of America , or research theSilky Terrier Rescue . Messmer also recommends interested owners apply to connect Facebook group that are run by members of the strain nightclub : Friends of the Silky Terrier Club of AmericaorSilky Friends .
" We observe that people require puppy very , very seriously , " Messmer says . " One of the things that we do at Silky Friends is we have a service where you may put your name down , and then when breeders have puppy , they can contact you . We ’re very rigorous as to who can be in the group . "
History
The silken terrier was in the beginning breed to hunt rats and mice on farms . Theirhigh prey driveand compact size made them arrant for flushing out varmint and keeping pests away from working community . The silky ’s genetic sensitivity for track down small animate being makes it important that owner keep them on - terzetto during outside expedition .
Silky terriers develop as a crossbreed betweenAustralian terriersandYorkshire terriersin the late 1800s , according to the STCA . Even with their signature tune coating , silky terrier are often the victim of false individuality and are often get into to be their more popular cousin , the Yorkie . But there are distinctions between the three breeds : Silkies are expectant than Yorkies but smaller than the Australian terrier .
The terriers come to the U.S. in the 1930s , and they were officially realise by the American Kennel Club in 1959 .
