Identity Crisis...Yorkie or Silky?

[Charlie'sMom]

Hi all. We adopted Henry back in November from a small breed rescue organization and were told that he had originally belonged to a breeder and was a yorkie. She gave him up b/c he was bigger than what she wanted to breed, gave him to her sister who gave him to another lady who gave him to the rescue guys. We're his 5th and final home. We have no reason to doubt that he's a yorkie, but the other day I was walking him and came upon a lady with an Australian terrrier and she said she thought he was a silky terrier b/c he's so blonde and lanky, especially compared to Charlie, our other yorkie. Silkys are a cross of Australians, which she had, and yorkies, and she seemed knowledgable (I know - she may be full of it).

I doesn't matter either way which he is, but I'm curious. I did some research online about silkys and I'm not convinced either way b/c their so close. I thought I'd throw it out to you guys for some input. We love him regardless, but what do you think?

[Britster]

He reminds me of Jackson -- I get the "Is he a Silky?" comment almost everywhere we go! I honestly didn't realize that many people knew what a Silky was, LOL. Even my groomer thinks he's a Silky.

After some research and looking and photos, Jackson does remind me more of a Silky. He seems to have more of the Silky face, he's got the longer body and coloring, even some of the personality traits I've read. But I really don't know. Size isn't the only thing to contribute... a lot of Yorkies are larger (even coming from small parents) and Yorkies have been bred down over time so there's always the possibility for them to be bigger like they used to be. But to answer your question-I really have no idea! lol. I can hardly tell the 2 apart because so many Yorkies aren't bred to standard nowadays so alot look like Silky's even if they know they aren't. Congrats on him by the way! Cutie!

American Kennel Club - Silky Terrier
American Kennel Club - Yorkshire Terrier
Silky- Silky Terrier Dog Picture Image

The first pic below is a Silky from googleimages with the show dog hair. Second pic is Jackson.

[johnnyt112]

What an informative post. I had no idea about the closeness of the two Breeds and they look so much alike.

[Charlie'sMom]

Britster - Jackson's legs are long and lanky like Henry's. They look very similar whatever they are. I read somewhere, and can't find it now for the life of me, that a silky's paws are rabbit-like. Henry's paws are huge and very rabbit-like. If we had waited to name him until after we knew him better, we probably would have called him Billy b/c he acts like a goat - He springs around, climbs like a goat, and does a lot of things that Charlie, who we know for sure is a yorkie, has never done.

These 2 breeds are extremely similar from what I'm reading, and we may never know for sure. We were told he's a yorkie, but you know the game "Operator" where things are lost in communication? That may have happened here and he may very well be a silky. Oh well.

Anybody else have any idea?

[Cha Cha]

My opinion is not worth much, but I think he looks Yorkie. Silkies were originally a cross between the two you mentioned, but they are now their own breed. I just wanted to clairify that so that they are not mistaken as one of today's "designer" crosses. Here are a couple of pictures of my Silky. I won't lie, I don't take too many body shots of her because you would all tell me she is part doxy!!!

[OwnedByJezebel]

She was correct in saying that the Silky breed was developed by crossing Yorkies and Aussies, but .....

Her comment about the "lankiness?" I'm not sure I can agree with that. According to the AKC breed standard:

Silkies: "Proportion – The body is about one fifth longer than the dog's height at the withers."

Yorkies: "Well proportioned and very compact. The back is rather short, the back line level, with height at shoulder the same as at the rump."

So, to me, it seems that the Silky should have shorter legs in comparison to their body length, and the yorkie should have a body length that is pretty much equal to it's height. If anything, it would be the Yorkie that would be described as "lanky," proportion-wise, when compared to the Silky.

I think my girl's head is shaped more like a Silky, and her size is certainly more like one, but her body proportions are very much Yorkie. I saw her parents, and I'm certain she is all Yorkie, just a big, sturdy, healthy girl that can hold her own at the dog park with bigger dogs.

[OwnedByJezebel]

Originally Posted by Charlie'sMom

I read somewhere, and can't find it now for the life of me, that a silky's paws are rabbit-like. Henry's paws are huge and very rabbit-like. If we had waited to name him until after we knew him better, we probably would have called him Billy b/c he acts like a goat - He springs around, climbs like a goat, and does a lot of things that Charlie, who we know for sure is a yorkie, has never done.

What do you mean by a "rabbit-like paw?"

Mine is a jumper and climber, too. I often say she is a designer breed, half Yorkie and half mountain goat! I'm really looking forward to trying her out in agility.

[Charlie'sMom]

If you were to hold a rabbit's foot up to Henry's paw, they would look very similar - especially compared to Charlie's more compact paw. If I had to buy dog shoes for him, they would have to be big. He also has very long claws, even when they're trimmed.

I found some more pictures online of true silkys, and they definitely have shorter legs and longer bodies. Henry just has long legs and is very much in proportion to the rest of his body. Score one for the yorkie. Another site, though, says that silkys may have much sparser hair than yorkies, which Henry does (again, compared to Charlie). Of course, Charlie has a cottony coat, and Henry's is more silky - which is still along the lines of a yorkie.

Okay, I think he's a yorkie. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

(Well, he may be part mountain goat the way he perches himself sometimes.)

[OwnedByJezebel]

Originally Posted by Charlie'sMom

If you were to hold a rabbit's foot up to Henry's paw, they would look very similar - especially compared to Charlie's more compact paw.

I get that ... it's just that I don't know what a rabbit's paw looks like so I don't know if a particular dog's paw is similar or different!

BTW -- Henry looks all Yorkie to me ... shape of head, proportions, etc. Cutie-pie!

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Charlie'sMom

Britster - Jackson's legs are long and lanky like Henry's. They look very similar whatever they are. I read somewhere, and can't find it now for the life of me, that a silky's paws are rabbit-like. Henry's paws are huge and very rabbit-like. If we had waited to name him until after we knew him better, we probably would have called him Billy b/c he acts like a goat - He springs around, climbs like a goat, and does a lot of things that Charlie, who we know for sure is a yorkie, has never done.

These 2 breeds are extremely similar from what I'm reading, and we may never know for sure. We were told he's a yorkie, but you know the game "Operator" where things are lost in communication? That may have happened here and he may very well be a silky. Oh well.

Anybody else have any idea?

Yeah, they remind me of each other alot!

Jackson also is a climber! Oh my goodness, I sometimes call him a catdog. He prefers to lay on the tops of couches rather than the couch itself. He does this in everyone's homes, not just mine, lol. He has amazing balance when it comes to that kind of stuff. He jumps so much, I try to prevent it because I worry about his knees as he gets older but it's so hard to stop. He jumps from sofa to sofa (they're not TOO far apart!)

The Silky Terrier is a true "toy terrier". He is moderately low set, slightly longer than tall, of refined bone structure, but of sufficient substance to suggest the ability to hunt and kill domestic rodents. His inquisitive nature and joy of life make him an ideal companion. The keenly alert air of the terrier is characteristic. The manner is quick, friendly, and responsive.

Approximate size of a Silky is 9 to 10 inches at the shoulder height. They are of a fine bone but maintain muscle and strength of a much larger dog. They do not think they are small but a large dog in a small "suit."
The Silky may not be the breed for every home. You must be willing to add another intelligent being to your family as a Silky can be much like having a toddler child loose in the home. They do not like being neglected or forgotten and if left alone for too long a time they will find entertainment that may not be to your liking!


A Silky isn't hyper but they do have tons of energy and love to play fetch, go for long walks and in general, be involved in whatever the family is doing! They are loving but independent in nature. They are not generally what are considered 'lap dogs'. Small children do not do well with a Silky due to terrier nature. Food in the hands of small children is fair game for a Silky as well as chasing their feet when they run.
Silkys are mistaken for Yorkies sometimes, but they are much more like their cousin the Australian Terrier.

Everything I bolded is JUST like Jackson.... I also think he's got the ears of a Silky (if they were shaved all the way). I also heard a lot of folks are breeding yorkie dad's to Silky mom's because of the Silky's larger size so it makes it safer for the mom... (this isn't ethical breeding, but it happens).

Here's a great comparison from YT member carmeninnj!

Home of the Gorgeous Silky Terrier!! - Compare the silky to....

[Cha Cha]

Another place you can visit is carmen in nj, a member here, has a great informatitive site. She raises Silkies.

[Cha Cha]

LOL Brister! We posted at the same time

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Cha Cha

LOL Brister! We posted at the same time

Ha! Great minds think alike!

[Cha Cha]

I forgot I had this side shot of Moka, showing her long body and short legs as someone posted earlier about proportion. She just has a very poor quality coat. It is the only fault I can pin on her though... She is slightly under the standard for weight, but like Yorkies, Silkies come in all shapes and sizes and shades.

[Charlie'sMom]

Brister - All of that sounds exactly like Henry! My daughter has even called him a catdog b/c he kneads his paws like a cat does. He climbs or bounces everywhere and we've said that he just doesn't have any manners (we're working on it). He's so free and easy - and happy - that he has grown on my husband and he now calls Henry "his dog".

Doing more reading, I see that a yorkie's ears may be wider set than a silky's. Take a look at his ears in this picture. Henry is on the right.

I'm sticking with yorkie, but he could be a barracuda and I'd still love him.