Silkshund

Dog Breed Profile

Silkshund History

The Silky Terrier is a working terrier, originally developed in Australia. The Silky Terrier was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2012. The Silky Terrier is a hairless, medium-sized, hybrid dog that was developed by crossing the Smooth Fox Terrier, Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, and either the Mexican Hairless or Peruvian Hairless. The Silky is a descendant of the Rat-Terrier, which originated as ratters and hunters of vermin. The Rat-Terrier developed into a separate group from the Irish Wolfhound, the Rough-Haired Collie, and other indigenous Australian dogs. The ancestors of the smooth-coated, non-shedding, long haired, and wool-coated varieties of the Rat-Terriers arrived with the Australian settlers in the late 18th Century. The coats on the descendants of the ratters were gradually reduced as the rats and other vermin disappeared. The coats of the Smooth Fox, Australian Stumpy Tail, and Mexican and Peruvian Hairless varieties were reduced away, leaving the coat of the silky.

Time of Origin

Unknown

Country of Origin

Unknown

Ancestry

Dachshund, Australian Silky Terrier

Silkshund Physical Characteristics

The Silky Terrier is a member of the toy terrier group of dogs. It originally used its skills as a rat hunter and is compactly-built with a long, silky hair. The breed is playful, energetic, and alert, with a lively disposition. The Silky has a keen sense of smell, and is known for its hunting talents. It is devoted to its family, and gets along well with children.

Eye Colors

Brown

Nose Colors

Black, Brown

Coat Colors

Black, Brown, Blue, Cream, Fawn, Gray, Red, Isabella

Height Range

Male Height Range: 7 – 10 inches

Female Height Range: 7 – 10 inches

Weight Range

Male Weight Range: 10 – 25 lbs

Female Weight Range: 10 – 25 lbs

Silkshund Health

Description of breed health.

Lifespan

12-15 yrs

Silkshund Health Concerns

Acanthosis Nigricans, Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), Patellar Luxation, Demodectic Mange, Cataracts, Pannus, Color Dilution Alopecia, Histiocytosis, Corneal Dystrophy, Sick Sinus Syndrome, Follicular Dysplasia, Cleft Lip or Palate, Legg-Calve Perthes Disease, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Mitral Valve Dysplasia

Silkshund Temperament and Behaviour

The Silkshund is a calm, playful, and devoted animal. They are gentle and loyal to their family and make great companion and family pets. They are generally good-natured and calm, but can become destructive when left alone for too long. They are very active and love to play.

Silkshund Activity Requirements

Silkies are a small to medium-sized, fluffy dog that is originally from China. They were originally used as hunting dogs and today, they are popular among pet owners. While they don’t need much physical exercise, Silkies do require regular interaction with humans. They tend to be shy, timid, and reserved and can become unhappy and destructive if left alone for long periods of time. If you are looking for a small, low-maintenance dog that doesn’t require much exercise and is easy to care for, a Silkie may be right for you.