[AbbyMax]

This is from an article I read awhile back - hope it helps a little - sorry it is so long.


The Silky Terrier, also called the Australian Silky Terrier, falls into the toy sized category of dogs. These dogs are about 9 to 10 inches high and weigh between 8 to 11 pounds. However, these little dogs come with a big personality. A Terrier at heart, they take glee in hunting and killing domestic rodents. While many people often confuse this dog breed for the Yorkshire Terrier, the truth is that they are larger and more closely related to the Australian Terrier. It was developed in the 1800s in Australia, when Yorkshire Terriers from England were brought to Australia and mated with the Australian Terriers. From the resultant litters, those that would later be identified as the Silkys were bred together, until a recognized type was fixed. Silkys adapt easily to their living situation and do well in apartments owing to their size. They enjoy companionship and need time, attention, and regular exercise. They are bundles of energy and it is necessary that this energy is properly channeled. Their beautiful silky blue and tan coats is worn shorter than the Yorkies, but still needs frequent brushing to avoid tangles. Silky Terrier puppies have black coats at the time of birth.


Yorkshire Terriers, affectionately called Yorkies, originated from Yorkshire in northern England. The bloodline of the Yorkshire Terrier breed is ambiguous, leading most people to believe that the dogs were bred by cotton mill workers, to deal with rat infestation. At their usual size, Yorkshire Terriers are about 7 to 9 inches, when measured up to the shoulder and weigh between 3 to 6 pounds. They too fall into the toy sized dogs section, and exhibit classic Terrier traits of bravery, determination, protectiveness and high energy levels. Yorkshire Terrier temperament can become negative (demanding, dependent, noisy, jealous, snappy), if the owner fails to establish pack leader status, or the family is unaware of how to treat a small dog. One of the reasons for the popularity of the breed is its glamorous silky straight coat. Tan colored near the head and feet, with a striking blue gray saddle, their coat parts along the spine and falls straight down, often trailing the floor. Several hours of grooming go into the maintenance of a long beautiful coat. Yorkshire Terrier owners usually oil and wash their pet's coat on a weekly basis. The coat may also be wrapped up in rice paper, tissue paper or plastic, to prevent breakage. If you plan to adopt, the right time to bring home Yorkshire Terrier puppies is at about twelve weeks.

The reason this debate occurs is because the dog breeds are almost identical in appearance. However, the Silky Terrier's coat is of a sparser texture, and does not reach floor length. Thus, they are a good option if you want a good looking dog which has lesser dog grooming needs. They are good with children, which is another aspect that sets them apart from Yorkies, who are recommended for homes with older children. Silky Terriers are not good with non-canine pets (rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc) but if you have a cat at home, a silky can be socialized with it, in order to maintain the peace of the home. Another difference is that Silkys are easier to housebreak and train. Both dog breeds are prone to a number of health disorders and therefore proper dog care is important. The common health issues in Silky Terriers are epilepsy and cataracts, while Yorkshire Terriers often suffer from dog health problems like dental issues, bronchitis, and progressive retinal atrophy.