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Pet is kept primarily for the company of a person or for entertainment. There are several options available for animals to keep as a pet, such as birds, dogs, cats, etc. Among dogs, terrier is quite popular among people due to their charming playfulness and friendly personalities.   

Terriers come in a range of sizes, temperaments, and shapes. Some of the terrier examples are Airedale, Bedlington, Boston, Cesky, etc. It is better to research before concluding on a terrier breed as a pet. In this article difference between Yorkie Terrier and Silky Terrier is highlighted. 

Key Takeaways

  1. Yorkie Terriers have a slightly smaller build and weigh less than Silky Terriers.
  2. Silky Terriers feature a silkier coat texture, while Yorkie Terriers have a more cotton-like coat.
  3. Both breeds are energetic and intelligent, but Yorkie Terriers tend to be more independent and assertive than Silky Terriers.

Yorkie Terrier and Silky Terrier 

Yorkshire Terrier is a small dog breed that originated in England. They weigh between 4 and 7 pounds and have a long, silky tan and blue coat. Silky Terrier is a small dog breed that originated in Australia. They weigh between 8 and 11 pounds with a long, silky blue and tan coat.

Yorkie Terrier and Silky Terrier

The Yorkie Terrier is one of the smallest dog breeds among the terrier type. During the 19th century, they developed in Yorkshire, England. They are energetic and playful dogs. When they have left alone, they exhibit separation anxiety, which is why some owners keep two of them.  

The other name for the silky terrier is the Australian silky terrier. In the early to mid-1800s, the silky terrier was first developed in Australia by pairing the Australian terrier and the Yorkshire terrier. In Sydney, Australia, these first pairings happened, and this newly developed breed was dubbed the Sydney silky. 

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Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonYorkie TerrierSilky Terrier
OriginEnglandAustralia
BarkFrequentRare
GroomingHighLow to moderate
Average weight4-6 lb8-11 lb
Average height8-9 inches9-10 inches

What is Yorkie Terrier? 

In the region of Lincolnshire and the Yorkshire of England, the breed Yorkshire Terrier developed. During the 1800s, from Scotland to England, people started immigrating to find work in the many wool and cotton mills. They brought along a range of small terrier dogs such as the paisley terrier, Skye terrier, and Clydesdale terrier, or it can be said that these different breeds were dubbed ‘Scottish terriers.’  

Over time, those dogs were bred to the terrier of English waterside, and some of them also extend to the Maltese. Over the years, color was predictable with black and tan, and consistent appearance started appearing. They were placed into a breed class known as Broken-haired Scotch, Rough and Broken-coated, and Yorkshire terriers.  

Yorkie terriers were known for being chased after vermin in mines and mills. They also took on hunts to chase down smaller forest animals, such as foxes and Badgers. With time, they started breeding with less outside breeds’ influence.  

At the end of the 1800s, the status of stops Yorkie terrier was switched from ratting and hunting dog to companion dog. In 1872, Yorkie terriers started appearing in the US. In 1885, AKC officially recognized the Yorkie terrier breed. They have a bite set of scissor bites or level bites. 

yorkie terrier

What is Silky Terrier? 

Silky terriers originated in Australia, but the ancestral breeds and types were from Great Britain. In North America, this breed is known as the silky terrier, but in the origin country and the rest of the world, it is called as Australian Silky Terrier.  

They are compact and small, short-legged terriers. All aspects and proportions of the head and the body, as well as desirable shades of white and grey and marking placements, are extensively described in the standard of the breed.   

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The coat of a silky terrier requires quite a lot of regular shampooing and grooming to retain its silkiness. They should be slightly longer compared to taller ones. In historic times, the silky terrier was used for killing and hunting snakes and rodents, so the body of the silky terrier has enough material to fit this role.  

Silky terriers love being given chances to play and run but must have a yard with a tight fence. They also enjoy playing ball, and risk falls. They are active indoor breeds, too and also do well in an apartment. It is necessary to discourage boredom by keeping busy and social. 

silky terrier scaled

Main Differences Between Yorkie Terrier and Silky Terrier 

  1. Yorkie Terrier is available in only one color, steel blue and tan, whereas silky terrier can be found in many colors, such as black, silver, grey, and black and tan.  
  2. The eyes of the Yorkie terrier are not too prominent but is medium in size, dark in color, and also sparking with a sharp, intelligent expression. But the eyes of silky terriers are dark, small, and almond-shaped with dark rims.  
  3. Yorkie terriers can give birth to up to 5 puppies at the same time. On the flip side, a silky terrier at the same time can give birth to 3-5 puppies.  
  4. When it comes to coat, the Yorkie terrier has smooth, shiny, long, silky, and straight hair. On the other hand, a silky terrier has a silky, long, shiny, and smooth coat.  
  5. The ears of the Yorkie terrier are V-shaped, carried erect, small, and set not too far apart. But the ears of silky terriers are set high, V-shaped, small, and carried erect without propensity obliquely flare off the skull. 
Difference Between Yorkie Terrier and Silky Terrier
References
  1. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=bTcm8JB6U_gC&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=yorkie+terrier&ots=79B05ZreYC&sig=ClOC7nU6Ee8oWg5neJnjqXuedD8
  2. https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/2788
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By Piyush Yadav

Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.