Australian Silky Terrier Yorkies: A Comprehensive Guide to Care and Health

Australian Silky Terrier Yorkies are a unique and adorable breed that requires special care and attention.

They are a cross between an Australian Silky Terrier and a Yorkshire Terrier, and as such, they inherit the best traits from both parents.

This breed is known for its silky, fine coat that requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.

They are generally a healthy breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues, such as dental problems and luxating patellas.

With proper care and attention, Australian Silky Terrier Yorkies can live up to 12-15 years, making them a long-term companion for many families.

Recommended read: Yorkshire Terrier Puppy Care

The Australian Silky Terrier and the Yorkie may look similar at first glance, but they have some key differences in their physical characteristics.

Both breeds have a silky-feeling coat, but the Silky's coat is typically longer and more substantial, while the Yorkie's coat is often trimmed to the floor.

You might enjoy: Yorkshire Terrier Coat

The Silky's body is more substantial, with more bone and muscle, and they weigh between 8-10 pounds, whereas the Yorkie weighs no more than 7 pounds.

The Silky has a wedge-shaped head, a longer muzzle, and larger teeth, while the Yorkie has a more rounded skull and smaller teeth.

Their ears are also different, with the Silky's ears being smaller at the base and having sharper upside-down V-shapes, while the Yorkie's ears are often smaller and equally pointy.

Both breeds have dark, shiny eyes with intelligent and thoughtful expressions, but the Silky has a wider range of coat colors, including 13 accepted combinations, while the Yorkie's coat colors are more limited.

Broaden your view: Shih Tzu Ears

Silky Terriers are actually slightly bigger than Yorkies, growing up to 9-10 inches tall.

Both males and females stand between 9 and 10 inches tall.

They weigh between 8 and 10 pounds, making them still classified as toy dogs by the American Kennel Club.

Yorkies, on the other hand, are somewhat smaller, growing up to between 7 and 8 inches tall.

For your interest: Yorkies and Chihuahuas

The Silky Terrier's coat color is a rich tan and various shades of blue, and it's truly stunning. The breed has 13 accepted color combinations, including black, blue, and silver, and each one is just as beautiful as the next.

Silky Terriers have a silky and glossy coat, but it requires daily brushing to prevent tangles and matting. This is because their coats are long and sleek, hanging five to six inches down their back.

Yorkshire Terriers, on the other hand, tend to start out with a mainly black and tan coat that evolves into other recognized colors as they grow into adulthood. These include black and gold, black and tan, blue and gold, and blue and tan.

Daily brushing is essential for both Silky Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers, as it helps prevent matting and tangles. It's also a great way to bond with your dog and get them used to being handled.

Readers also liked: Yorkshire Terrier Black and Gold

The Silky Terrier's coat requires a thorough brushing and combing two to three times a week, along with a bath every month or so. Brushing their teeth at least two or three times a week is also crucial to prevent tartar buildup and gum disease.

Trimming their nails once or twice a month is also important to prevent painful tears and other problems. If you're not experienced trimming dog nails, it's best to ask a vet or groomer for pointers.

Explore further: Miniature Schnauzer 6 Months Old

The Australian Silky Terrier, often called the Silky, is an elegant little dog with a beautiful, silky coat of tan and blue.

They're a big, bold spirit in a small package, capable of warning off intruders and keeping up with owners on a hike.

The Silky is a true terrier, with a scrappy, tenacious, and fond of digging, barking, and chasing temperament.

Despite their tough attitude, they're loyal dogs who love to be with their family and need companionship to prevent mischief.

They require daily physical and mental exercise, but can thrive in apartments or condos with regular walks and playtime.

The Australian Silky Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, may look similar at first glance, but they have some key differences.

One of the main differences between the two breeds is their size. Yorkies are generally smaller in size than Silky dogs.

Their head shape and size also differ, with Silky dogs having narrower heads and longer muzzles.

Yorkshire Terriers have a long history, brought down to Northern England by Scottish weavers, and later became popular lap dogs among the upper classes.

In contrast, the Australian Silky Terrier was bred in Australia from local Australian Terriers and Yorkie pups brought by English settlers.

The Silky Terrier is an elegant little dog with a beautiful, silky coat of tan and blue. He's often called the Silky, and beneath his delicate-looking exterior is a big, bold spirit.

This breed is a true terrier, with a scrappy, tenacious, and fond of digging, barking, and chasing temperament. If you don't consider these characteristics endearing, the Silky Terrier isn't for you.

The Silky is a loyal dog who loves to be with his family, and he's best suited to homes where he won't be left home alone for long periods. He needs the companionship of his human pack, and he's apt to get into mischief if he isn't supervised.

Daily physical and mental exercise is a must for the Silky, who will happily join you for a walk in the neighborhood or a hike in the country. Despite his high energy, he can be an apartment or condo dog, but be prepared for some barking.

The Silky can be a good companion for children older than 10, as long as they treat him carefully and kindly. He may not tolerate poking and prodding from toddlers and very young kids.

The Australian Silky Terrier has a fascinating history that dates back to the late 19th century. They originated in Australia, where breeders crossed imported Yorkshire Terriers with native Australian Terriers.

The breed's ancestors were a mix of Yorkshire Terriers, Australian Terriers, and other terrier breeds, including Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, and Skye Terriers. These breeds were brought over by settlers during this period.

The Silky Terrier's unique size and coat length were a result of this crossbreeding. Some litters produced silky-coated puppies, which became the foundation of the breed we know today.

The breed was initially known as the Sydney Silky Terrier, but was later renamed the Australian Silky Terrier in 1955.

Australian Silky Terriers are highly intelligent and eager to please their humans, making them a joy to train with consistency and positive reinforcement.

Both Silky Terriers and Yorkies are known for overreacting slightly, so it's essential to socialize them well with other pets, children, and livestock.

Their high prey drive, originating from their shared ratting history, means they're not ideal pets for families with small animals, like rodents.

Silky Terriers are mischievous by nature and can be destructive when left unsupervised, so crate training is a great way to keep them safe and out of trouble.

A crate is also a good place for your Silky to retreat for a nap, and crate training at a young age will help them accept confinement if they ever need to be boarded or hospitalized.

Silky Terriers are people dogs and shouldn't spend their lives locked up in a crate or kennel, so be sure to give them plenty of exercise and attention.

Both breeds are highly energetic and love to play, so daily walks, romping in the yard, or trips to the dog park are a must.

With their loving and affectionate nature, Silky Terriers and Yorkies make great companion dogs, but they can be feisty and brave, so be prepared for a lively companion.

Their small size means they're prone to being preyed upon by wild animals, so keep a close eye on them when they're outside.

For your interest: Training Rat Terrier

Australian Silky Terriers are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions.

To keep your Silky in top shape, it's essential to feed them high-quality food in the right amount. The recommended daily amount is 1/2 to 3/4 cup of dry food a day, divided into two meals, with puppies needing about 1/8 to 1/4 cup a day.

It's easy to overfeed your Silky, so make sure to measure their food and feed them twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. A simple way to check if your Silky is overweight is to give them the eye test and the hands-on test: you should be able to see a waist, and feel but not see their ribs without having to press hard.

Some common health issues to be aware of in Australian Silky Terriers include Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Patellar Luxation, Diabetes Mellitus, Epilepsy, and Tracheal Collapse.

You might enjoy: Bull Terrier Health Issues

Silky Terriers are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues. Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease is one condition that affects the hip joint, where the blood supply to the head of the femur is decreased, causing the bone to disintegrate.

This condition usually shows symptoms such as limping and atrophy of the leg muscle in puppies between four to six months old. Surgery can correct the condition, resulting in a pain-free puppy.

Patellar Luxation, also known as slipped stifles, is a common problem in small dogs. The patella, or kneecap, becomes dislocated, causing pain and potentially crippling the dog.

Diabetes Mellitus is another condition that can affect Silky Terriers, where the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels. Symptoms include excessive urination and thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss.

To manage this condition, a proper diet and insulin administration are usually necessary. Epilepsy is a neurological condition that can cause mild or severe seizures, which can be frightening to watch.

However, the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. With proper diagnosis and treatment, many dogs can lead normal lives.

Tracheal Collapse is a condition that can cause coughing, fainting, and intolerance to exercise. It's often seen in smaller breeds, including the Silky Terrier.

Symptoms can be treated with antibiotics, steroids, cough suppressants, and using a harness instead of a collar. If medical treatment doesn't work, surgery may be recommended.

Here are some common health issues that can affect Silky Terriers:

Feeding your Silky Terrier requires attention to detail and a bit of know-how. Base the amount of food you give on your Silky's physical condition, not how hungry he acts.

Silky Terriers need about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. Puppies need about 1/8 to 1/4 cup a day.

To keep your Silky in good shape, measure his food and feed him twice a day. Leaving food out all the time can lead to overeating.

You might like: When Is National Boston Terrier Day

Give your Silky the eye test: look down at him and you should be able to see a waist. If you can't, he needs less food and more exercise.

The hands-on test is also important: place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard.

Regular ear checks are a must: weekly inspections for redness or a bad odor can indicate an infection.