Carolina Dog vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

Carolina Dog vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed ComparisonCarolina Dog is originated from United States but Australian Silky Terrier is originated from Australia. Carolina Dog may grow 35 cm / 14 inches higher than Australian Silky Terrier. Carolina Dog may weigh 14 kg / 31 pounds more than Australian Silky Terrier. Both Carolina Dog and Australian Silky Terrier has same life span. Both Carolina Dog and Australian Silky Terrier has almost same litter size. Both Carolina Dog and Australian Silky Terrier requires Moderate maintenance.

History

carolina dog - historyThe Carolina dog comes from wild dogs that used to run with the Paleo-Indians of North America, and today they can still be found in their wild state near the Georgia-South Carolina border.

Many scientists believe that the dog was first domesticated from the wolf thousands and thousands of years ago. Today there aren’t many records on the Carolina Dog’s history and it isn’t sure how long they lived their feral lifestyle in the American South, but it seems as though it was for hundreds of years.

You could say that the modern history of the Carolina Dog started in the 1980s. Dr. Pam Brisbin found a puppy at a dump site which looked like the Australian Dingo. Dr Brisbin and other scientists concluded that the Carolina Dog was a remnant of primitive dogs. Since those times the Carolina Dog has adapted well to being a domesticated pet.

australian silky terrier - historyMany toy breeds have been bred for centuries and were kept as lap dogs and companion dogs. Known at first as ‘The Sydney Silk’ the Australian Silky Terrier originated in Australia, but before the 2nd World War, the Australian SilkyTerrier was all but unknown outside Australia.

The toy breed came about by crossing the Yorkshire Terrier and the Australian Terrier, but further crossings contributed to the silky coat and the small size we are familiar with today. Despite this little dog being classified in the Toy Group, this spunky dog has the ability to hunt and kill rodents.

Victorian and Tasmanian breeders claimed to be originators of the breed, so the official name, Australian Silky Terrier, was adopted in 1956. Since recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1955, the breed has enjoyed a solid build up of fans.

Description

carolina dog puppy - descriptionThe Carolina dog is part of the Sighthounds Group and looks a bit like a Dingo, German Shepherd and Wolf mix. He has fairly long, pointed erect ears, a sharp wolf-like snout and a long tail that curves when raised.

The Carolina dog has been re-discovered however and when trained and socialized, they make splendid pets. It’s a medium sized dog standing at 45–61cm and weighing from 15–20kg. He is slender, muscular and athletic with a coat that is short and fairly smooth. Colors for the Carolina dog vary and he can be fawn colored, a gingerish color, black and tan and can have some white areas on the paws, chest, muzzle and tail.

Temperament:

The Carolina Dog has been a wild dog, belonging to a pack and while he isn’t aggressive, he is nervous and aloof around strangers. Good training and socialization provides him with the skills to get along well with his human family as well as with children and other pets in the home.

Because this dog has always been wild, they tend to maintain some of their wild, independent nature and they can be difficult to train and it requires firmness and patience with him, but he is an intelligent breed.

Small but Spunky

australian silky terrier puppy - descriptionThis is a small breed with Loads of Spunk. The Silky terrier is somewhat longer than tall and height is around 23cm, with weight being about 4kg. He has an athletic build and although the bone structure is refined, the small dog has amazing strength and durability with a keen, alert face. Small but sturdily built, the dark, almond-shaped eyes don’t miss a thing as do the small, erect v-shaped ears.

Full of fun and packed with character, the Silky Terrier isn’t your regular lap dog as he is bold, active, feisty and playful- always ready for action. He can be aggressive toward strange pets but becomes amicable with other pets in the home. He is sharp and clever, and can be trained to be an absolute pleasure in the home and a playmate for children trained to be kind to animals.

They are loving and devoted to their human family and can be excellent watchdogs even though they can’t offer much protection.

The Coat – the most Distinctive Feature

Of course, the Silky Terrier gets his name from the sleek, silky coat that if allowed to grow, flows down from their backs to the floor. It is the dogs most distinctive feature. They come in several solid colors and mixes of colors too such as blue/tan, grey/blue and cream.

He’s Adaptable

The Silky is an adaptable dog and even though he is energetic and will needs daily physical and mental exercise, he can be a country or an apartment dog, but will require plenty of exercise and getting out and about.

Characteristics

carolina dog dog - characteristicsThe Carolina Dog is a medium-sized dog which has managed to survive well in the wild environment. It is this life in the wilds which has made the dog to be shy and aloof around strangers.

They are skilled and intelligent and when domesticated they make extraordinary pets even though he isn’t an overly affectionate dog. It is why he requires early socialization so that he doesn’t grow up shunning humans.

With training however, the Carolina Dog becomes a well-adjusted, loving and social member of the family.

Caution with Small Children

australian silky terrier dog - characteristicsSmall in stature but with a strong personality, the Australian Silky Terrier is a keen, intelligent, active, energetic and spunky breed. He is affectionate and loyal towards his human family, and although good with older children and other pets, he may not get on too well with small children and their erratic movements.

Training Required for his Wilful Nature

Don’t leave him alone for too long as he becomes anxious and destructive. He is an active dog too and while he will adapt to apartment living, he will need exercise and games to keep him active, fit, stimulated and healthy. Your Silky is an intelligent dog but he is stubborn too and proper socialization and training will be important for Silky Terriers, as then he becomes quite sociable.

A firm but gentle hand will be needed to train this wilful little dog, but when you show him who’s boss, he becomes your devoted and loyal friend.

Health Problems

carolina dog puppies - health problemsThe Carolina Dog is a fairly healthy breed. You won’t have to be rushing off to the vet often with him if you look after him well in terms of a good diet, a food amount of exercise and plenty of love and attention. In fact breeders of the Carolina Dog have noted that they haven’t seen any cases of genetically inheritable diseases with this robust dog.

However with all dogs, no matter how healthy they are, there can be problems. Problems common to domestic dogs can include skeletal and visual problems. Many dog owners have their pets tested to identify some of the potential health defects that some dogs are prone to. This can include hip dysplasia, cataracts, cancer and PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

Some Ailments to Look out For

australian silky terrier puppies - health problemsThe Australian Silky Terrier is generally healthy and he has a lifespan of 11 – 14 years. However he may suffer from some problems such as Legg-Perthes disease. This means degeneration of the head on the femur bone of the dog's hind leg, resulting is osteoarthritis. This ailment is commonly seen in miniature-, small and toy breeds and can result in lameness and pain.

Silky Terriers are also prone to certain eye disorders, including PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy as well as cataracts. PRA can lead to total blindness.

Vaccinating your Pet – what’s required?

Getting the right puppy shots and vaccinations is also part of good health care for your Silky and you can speak to your vet about what injections are due at 6 – 8 weeks of age and what booster vaccinations may be necessary.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

carolina dog dogs - caringThe Carolina Dog is a seasonal shedder and the shortish coat will simply require a thorough brushing twice a week to keep him in tip top condition.

This dog, with his upright ears, isn’t prone to ear infections as other breeds, but nonetheless as part of his grooming routine, its a good idea to to check his ears inside for wax build-up and dirt. Certainly his teeth should be brushed 2 or 3 times a week with special dog toothbrush and toothpaste. This keeps the gums and teeth healthy and also avoids other diseases that come about because of dental disease.

Diet:

Whether you feed your Carolina Dog once or twice a day, you want to ensure the very best quality diet to avoid skin problems and illness. You also have to ensure your dog has 24/7 access to fresh, cool drinking water to help him with digesting his food.

There are some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods on the market which have been manufactured for certain stages of your dogs life. Add in some rice, vegetables and meat from time to time and every now and again you can give him some raw meat too.

Regular Brushing of the Silky Hair

australian silky terrier dogs - caringThe long, straight coat of the Silky will need a fair amount of brushing each day. This dog is considered a hypoallergenic breed, and although he doesn’t shed a lot, the length of the hair will require regular brushing to get rid of loose hairs but also ensure there is no tangling of the hair. If the hair of the dog is kept long, he may require a bath every now and then to keep his hair silky and clean and to get rid of dirt build-up.

Nutrition and Diet

A healthy, nutritional diet is important for keeping your canine friend healthy and free from disease and unhealthy skin. To stay health your pet will require correct amounts of vitamins and minerals.

Dog food companies make different types of dog food such as dry, semi-moist, and moist and these are available for dogs of different ages, activity levels and stage of life. Speak to your vet about selecting a dog food that is right for your Australian Silky Terrier and always ensure a bowl of fresh water is available to him.

Basic Information

Group:
Miscellaneous dogs
Toy dog
Origin:
United States
Australia
Height Male:
45 - 61 cm
17 - 25 inches
23 - 26 cm
9 - 11 inches
Height Female:
42 - 61 cm
16 - 25 inches
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
15 - 20 kg
33 - 45 pounds
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 20 kg
26 - 45 pounds
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 6
3 - 5
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
North American Native Dog, Dixie Dingo, American Dingo, Yellow Dog
Silky Terrier, Sydney Silky
Colors Available:
Fawn, Yellow, Gingerish, black and tan
blue/tan, grey/blue and cream.
Coat:
Short and dense
long, straight and silky
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Other vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Olde English Bulldogge vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Indian Pariah Dog vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Dingo vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Sapsali vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Peruvian Hairless vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  7. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Lottatore Brindisino vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  9. Carolina Dog vs Aussie Doodles - Breed Comparison
  10. Carolina Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  11. Mountain Feist vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  12. Spitz vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. Jonangi vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  14. Kuri vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  15. Perro de Presa Mallorquin vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  16. Chow Chow vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  17. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  18. Dalmatian vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  19. Golden Doodle vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  20. Pomsky vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  21. Sakhalin Husky vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Chinese Shar Pei vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  23. English Springer Spaniel vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  24. Pomeranian vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Maltese vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Pug vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Maltipoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Cockapoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Cavapoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Cavachon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Papillon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Japanese Chin vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Miniature English Bulldog vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Bolognese vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Italian Greyhound vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Jug vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Miniature Pinscher vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Dorgi vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Belgian Griffon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Carlin Pinscher vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Dorkie vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. German Spitz (Klein) vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Doxiepoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Bospin vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Bantam Bulldog vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Damchi vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Lowchen vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds