Greenland Dog vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

Greenland Dog vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed ComparisonGreenland Dog is originated from Greenland but Australian Silky Terrier is originated from Australia. Greenland Dog may grow 42 cm / 17 inches higher than Australian Silky Terrier. Greenland Dog may weigh 29 kg / 64 pounds more than Australian Silky Terrier. Both Greenland Dog and Australian Silky Terrier has almost same life span. Both Greenland Dog and Australian Silky Terrier has almost same litter size. Both Greenland Dog and Australian Silky Terrier requires Moderate maintenance.

History

greenland dog - historyThe Greenland dog is an ancient breed of dog hailing from Greenland. The dog was brought to North American from Siberia hundreds of years ago. In fact the very first dogs arrived in the Americas some 12,000 years ago.

The Greenland Dog isn’t recognized by the AKC but it is recognized by a number of other groups. While the Greenland Dog is valued in Greenland, it isn't particularly well known in other parts of the world.

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

greenland dog puppy - descriptionThe Greenland Dog is a heavily built dog, and between the males and females, this medium to large sized dog can be 51 – 68cm in height and weigh 30 – 35kg.

He has the typical slanted eyes of the husky-type dogs with a keen, alert expression in them. He has small triangular erect ears. The long, bushy tail of the dog is curled over the back of the dog.

The coat is short to medium length and has 2 layers with the outer layer being fairly coarse. The double coat is thick and shortish but also stand-offish, meaning the hair doesn’t lie flat against the dog’s body. Color of the fur is a mix of cream, beige, white, tan, black, grey or silver.

Temperament:

As a working dog, the Greenland Dog is known for its strength, its boisterous nature and speed. Because its a dog that has worked as a pack, it wants a firm, patient, fair, confident owner to bring out the best in him. Being intelligent, independent and work-orientated, it is perhaps not a great choice for the first-time dog owner who may be out of their realm with the demands of these high-energy dogs.

The dog is independent, but he is quite capable of forming a strong, loving bond with his owner. This is certainly a dog that is never going to thrive if he has to lie around the house all day – he is an active dog who wants a task to do and he is going to need plenty of daily exercise.

They’ve always had active lives pulling sleds or hunting for seals and he craves this busy, active lifestyle. He is the kind of dog that shouldn’t live in the city with a tiny garden unless he has an owner who takes time to walk him and exercise him vigorously. He is a dog that will require training and socialization.

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

greenland dog dog - characteristicsBred as a working dog, the Greenland Dog, native to Greenland is a high energy dog who is boisterous, lively and social. With training and socialization, he becomes an obedient, loyal and devoted pet.

While he is quite capable of being an awesome domesticated pet, he is essentially a working dog, loving having to be part of a very active lifestyle. He may not be the best pet for a first time owner or a home with small children. This is because he isn't your cuddly, lying-around-the-house, playmate kind of pet. He wants a home and owner similar to himself – strong, active, energetic, bold, independent, strong-willed and firm, and when he gets this, he becomes the splendid pet he is so well known for.

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

Eye Disease:

greenland dog puppies - health problemsYour Greenland dog can battle with eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy, hereditary or juvenile cataracts and corneal dystrophy. Eye diseases like this can cause a host of problems for your pet and should receive immediate veterinary attention.

Cataracts in dogs are a common problem affecting the eyes of dogs, with there being different forms and causes.The age at which your pet develops cataracts is important for identifying the type of cataract it is because it will give the vet an idea if the cataracts are an hereditary trait in certain dog breeds.

Hip Dysplasia:

Nearly every dog can battle with hip dysplasia and it can be a serious concern for active canines such as the Greenland dog.

This joint and bone ailment can start manifesting itself as early as 4 months of age with your pet. This dysplasia occurs when the head of the femur doesn't fit into the pelvic joint the way it should. It can lead to pain, arthritis and lameness with your dog.

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

Diet:

greenland dog dogs - caringAs a medium- to large-sized dog breed, the Greenland Dog will require a high-quality commercial dog food if that is what you will be feeding him. The top quality brands have the right mix of vitamins and minerals in them for health.

However, it is wise to ensure that such an active dog breed gets his quota of raw meat in too. He has been used to eating fish and seal meat and will require this raw diet too. Sometimes if you cook rice, chicken and vegetables, you can add this into his kibble too.

He must never be without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

Greenland Dogs need to be groomed at least twice a week to keep the thick coat in tip top condition. He sheds throughout the year.

He will also require you brushing his teeth to get rid of plaque which can cause a host of health issues. You get special toothpaste and toothbrush for dogs. His teeth should be brushed 2 or 3 times a week.

Exercise:

Make sure you give your high-energy Greenland Dog the right dose of exercise. He is intelligent too so he needs walks, games and other activities that contribute towards his physical and mental wellbeing.

He will do well on large properties or farms but won't do well where the space is tiny and where the owners are inactive couch potatoes.

Be careful too that the Greenland Dog isn't exercised immediately after eating as this puts him in danger of developing bloat.

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:
Working dog
Toy dog
Origin:
Greenland
Australia
Height Male:
51 - 68 cm
20 - 27 inches
23 - 26 cm
9 - 11 inches
Height Female:
51 - 68 cm
20 - 27 inches
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
30 - 35 kg
66 - 78 pounds
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
30 - 35 kg
66 - 78 pounds
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 13 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
3 - 5
Size:
Large dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Greenland
Silky Terrier, Sydney Silky
Colors Available:
grey or silver, tan, beige, white, Mix of cream, black
blue/tan, grey/blue and cream.
Coat:
Short to medium length, coarse, stand-offish
long, straight and silky
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, 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:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

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