Silky Terriers: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em

The Silky Terrier combines the hardiness of the short-legged terriers with a finer-boned, more graceful, more elegant build and lovely coat. (Although I recommend trimming the coat shorter for easier maintenance.)

The agile, light-footed Silky likes to keep busy. He is inquisitive, physically and mentally quick, and spends much time trotting (or dashing) around checking things out and inventing his own clever games.

Keen of eye and sharp of tongue, the Silky Terrier won't fail to announce strangers, often in a high-pitched voice that can set your teeth on edge. Early socialization is required so he doesn't become too sharp or suspicious.

Though he can be bossy with other dogs and scrappy with those of the same sex, most Silky Terriers are willing to coexist with other pets. Squeaky pets, however, will be stalked, for he has a strong prey drive and can be an excitable chaser of anything that moves.

Silky Terrier must never be let off-leash except in a safe, enclosed area, and your fences must be secure, for they are amazing climbers and enthusiastic diggers.

Willful and opinionated, but quick to learn, the Silky Terrier responds well to obedience training that utilizes food and praise. Silkys are proud, sensitive dogs and may not put up with rough handling or mischief. They can be possessive of their food and toys, and housebreaking can be difficult.

If you want a dog who...

Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training.

• You can avoid some negative traits by choosing an ADULT dog from an animal shelter or rescue group. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult Silky Terriers have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics.
• If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy. Unfortunately, you usually can't tell whether a puppy has inherited temperament or health problems until he grows up.
• Finally, you can avoid some negative traits by training your Silky Terrier to respect you and by following the 11-step care program in my book, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy.

More traits and characteristics of the Silky Terrier

If I was considering a Silky Terrier, I would be most concerned about...

1. Barking. Like most terrier breeds and also most toy breeds, Silky Terriers are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them lest it become an intractable habit.
2. Grooming. Without regular brushing and combing, Silky Terriers become a matted mess. If you can't commit to the brushing, you have to commit to frequent trimming to keep the coat short and sanitary.
3. Housebreaking. Toy breeds are almost always difficult to housebreak. It is so easy for them to sneak behind a chair or under a small table, and it takes only a few seconds for the deed to be done. When you don't see it, you don't correct it, and so the bad habit becomes established. If you hope to housebreak a Silky Terrier, consistent crate training is mandatory. Toy breeds should not be loosed in the house for many months, until their small internal organs become strong enough for reliable control.
4. Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Silky Terriers need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become suspiciousness, which is difficult to live with.

   I do not recommend Silky Terriers for homes with small children. Many Silkys will not tolerate any nonsense from little life forms whom they consider to be below themselves in importance. They can be quick to react to teasing, and even to the normal clumsiness that comes with small children (accidental squeezing of their ears or pulling of whiskers or stepping on their paw).

5. Mind of their own. Silky Terriers are more amenable to training than many other terriers; some Silkys even excel at high levels of obedience competition. But they must be taught at an early age that they are not the rulers of the world. The toughness that makes them suited to killing vermin can frustrate you when you try to teach them anything. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.

   In other words, you must teach your Silky Terrier to respect you. A dog who respects you will do what you say and will stop what he's doing when you tell him "No." Read more about Silky Terrier Training.

6. Fence security. Some Silky Terriers are agile escape artists who can climb chain link or wire fencing. Solid wooden fences are recommended. I've worked with Silky Terriers who actually required a pen covered with a roof. You may also need to sink wire into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging.