Silky Terrier Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: Australia
The Silky Terrier is a small but spirited toy breed developed in Australia from crosses between Australian Terriers and Yorkshire Terriers. Despite its elegant, floor-length silky coat, it retains the bold and energetic personality typical of terrier breeds.
| Breed | Silky Terrier |
| Size | Small (8–10 lbs) |
| Height | 9–10 inches |
| Lifespan | 13–15 years |
| Temperament | Alert, Friendly, Inquisitive |
| Energy Level | High●●●●○ |
| Good With Kids | ✅ Yes |
| Grooming | High Maintenance |
| Training | Good |
| Shedding | Light |
| Best For | Experienced Owners |
🐕 Silky Terrier Overview
The Silky Terrier sits in the AKC Toy Group but thinks and acts like a true terrier, always alert, curious and ready to investigate. It forms strong bonds with its family and enjoys being involved in daily activities rather than sitting quietly on a lap. Its compact size makes it suitable for apartment living, provided it receives consistent daily exercise and mental stimulation.
📜 History & Origin
The Silky Terrier originated in Australia during the late 19th century, developed by crossing Yorkshire Terriers imported from England with the native Australian Terrier. Breeders aimed to refine the coat texture and overall appearance while preserving the terrier's working spirit and tenacity. The breed was officially recognised by the AKC in 1959 and remains a popular companion in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 8–10 lbs (4–5 kg)
- Height: 9–10 inches (23–25 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 7–9 lbs
- Height: 9–10 inches
Coat type: Long, fine, silky, straight, glossy single coat that falls flat along the body
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
Silky Terriers are generally excellent with children. Their patient, gentle nature makes them reliable family companions. Always supervise interactions with very young children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Can show aggression toward other dogs or animals. Early socialisation is important, but this breed may need careful management in multi-pet households.
🏃 Exercise Needs
Silky Terriers are high-energy dogs that require at least 40 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. This includes brisk walks, off-leash running, fetch, or swimming. Without adequate exercise, they can become destructive or develop behavioural problems.
✅ Apartment living: Possible with adequate daily exercise commitment.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (Silky Terrier)
- Daily amount: 0.5 to 1 cup split across 2 meals of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Daily brushing required to prevent matting and tangles.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average Silky Terrier lifespan is 13–15 years. Smaller breeds often live longer than larger breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United States
Pedigree AKC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Europe
Pedigree FCI-registered puppy from health-tested parents
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Active singles or couples in apartments
- Owners with time for daily grooming
- Experienced terrier owners who enjoy an independent but loyal companion
- Excellent with children
❌ Cons
- Families with very young children who may play roughly
- Multi-pet households with small animals such as rabbits or guinea pigs
- First-time dog owners who are not prepared for a strong-willed terrier temperament
- Requires significant daily exercise
- High grooming maintenance and cost
🆚 Silky Terrier vs Other Breeds
✅ Silky Terrier wins at
The Silky Terrier is slightly larger and sturdier, with a more athletic build suited to owners who want a toy breed that can keep up on longer walks.
✅ Yorkshire Terrier wins at
The Yorkshire Terrier is more widely available from reputable breeders in the UK and tends to be easier to source at a lower average purchase price.
✅ Silky Terrier wins at
The Silky Terrier's long, silky coat is more visually striking and sheds less, making it a better fit for owners who prioritise an elegant appearance.
✅ Australian Terrier wins at
The Australian Terrier has a lower-maintenance rough coat, adapts better to outdoor life and is generally considered slightly easier to train and manage.
🏠 Who Should Own a Silky Terrier?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Active singles or couples in apartments
- Owners with time for daily grooming
- Experienced terrier owners who enjoy an independent but loyal companion
- A family with children
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- Families with very young children who may play roughly
- Multi-pet households with small animals such as rabbits or guinea pigs
- First-time dog owners who are not prepared for a strong-willed terrier temperament
- You have a very sedentary lifestyle
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Silky Terrier good for families?
The Silky Terrier can be a good family dog for households with older, considerate children who understand how to handle a small dog respectfully. It is loyal and affectionate with its family but can be snappy if provoked or handled roughly by very young children. Supervision around toddlers is always recommended to keep both the child and the dog safe.
How much does a Silky Terrier puppy cost?
In the United Kingdom, a Silky Terrier puppy from a reputable KC-registered breeder typically costs between 800 and 1,800 pounds depending on lineage and demand. In Pakistan, prices generally range from 40,000 to 90,000 PKR, though the breed is relatively rare and may be harder to find from health-tested lines. In India, expect to pay between 30,000 and 70,000 INR, with prices varying significantly by city and breeder reputation.
Is Silky Terrier easy to train?
The Silky Terrier is intelligent and picks up commands quickly, but its terrier independence means it can be selective about when it chooses to comply. Positive reinforcement using small treats and short, engaging training sessions works best for this breed. First-time dog owners may find the breed's stubborn streak frustrating, so prior experience with terriers or working with a professional trainer is beneficial.
What food is best for a Silky Terrier?
A high-quality dry kibble formulated for small breeds is a solid foundation for a Silky Terrier's diet, providing the right balance of protein, fat and micronutrients for their size and energy level. Look for a named meat source such as chicken, turkey or fish listed as the first ingredient, and avoid foods with excessive fillers like corn syrup or artificial preservatives. Adults typically need around half a cup to one full cup of food per day split into two meals, but portion sizes should be adjusted based on the individual dog's weight and activity level.
Does Silky Terrier bark a lot?
Yes, the Silky Terrier is an alert and vocal breed that will bark at strangers, unusual sounds and anything it perceives as a potential threat, which makes it an effective watchdog. With consistent training from puppyhood, excessive barking can be managed, but owners should expect a naturally communicative dog that is not suited to noise-sensitive living situations.
Can a Silky Terrier live in an apartment?
The Silky Terrier can adapt well to apartment living provided it receives at least 40 minutes of exercise daily through walks and play sessions, along with mental stimulation to prevent boredom. However, its tendency to bark at sounds in shared hallways or neighbouring units means owners should invest early in bark training to avoid complaints from neighbours.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Silky Terrier is best suited to experienced dog owners who understand the breed's specific needs. With a lifespan of 13–15 years, high energy demands, and high maintenance grooming requirements, the Silky Terrier is a wonderful family dog.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the Silky Terrier will reward you with years of loyal companionship.