Molossus vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

Molossus is originated from Greece but Australian Silky Terrier is originated from Australia. Molossus may grow 50 cm / 20 inches higher than Australian Silky Terrier. Molossus may weigh 49 kg / 109 pounds more than Australian Silky Terrier. Both Molossus and Australian Silky Terrier has almost same life span. Molossus may have more litter size than Australian Silky Terrier. Both Molossus and Australian Silky Terrier requires Moderate maintenance.

History

The Molossus has always been a popular dog and they have been around since ancient times. Mastiff type dogs are termed as Molossus.

Of course, when looking at the origin of the dog, there are many unsubstantiated claims about it. It has always been believed that the Molossus was a Mastiff-type dog, ferocious in battle. The Romans were dog breeders and recognized that the Molossus was a talented dog – good at guarding and herding.

Over the centuries the dog has changed but it is believed it was a Mastiff-type dog with a number of other breeds included in its origins such as the Rottweiler, Pug, Bulldog, Great Dane, Alano Espanol and Saint Bernard.

The Molossus isn’t a dog breed itself but rather a category that other dogs belong to. Today there are Molosser clubs and Molosser shows around 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

This Ancient dog breed from Greece has different descriptions of what it really looked like. It seems to have always been large to medium sized dog standing in the region of 50 to 76cm in height and weighing anything from 25 to 55kg.

The coat is mostly short and smooth and can be in a host of different colors. They are large boned dogs, solidly built with medium sized floppy ears, a short, thick neck, short, broad muzzle and a long tail which was later docked.

Molossers typically have heavy bones, pendant ears, and a relatively short and well-muscled neck, with a short, broad muzzle. These Molossers have always been used for a variety of jobs where strength, perseverance, speed and braveness are required. They have been used as rescue- and guard dogs, protecting livestock from predators.

Temperament:

The Molossus dogs all have the same kind of characteristics which have been bred into them. From their working days, they are known for their tremendous courage, taking on wild animals to protect their livestock.

They are territorial, wanting to protect their human family and home from intruders.They have also been bred to be loyal, loving family pets, and being highly affectionate, they want to be involved in the activities of the family.

This breed is gentle and loving, social and active and gets on well with other pets in the home as well as with children. They’re intelligent dogs and will need to be trained and socialized to ensure they are obedient and amicable with visitors to the home.

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

The Molossus, contrary to what many people think, isn’t a vicious dog, but rather a good natured dog that makes a wonderful family pet.

These dogs are known also for being hard working dogs with characteristics of bravery. They are dogs who may look fairly tough, but they are actually gentle, calm and sensitive. It’s a bad upbringing from the owners that gives any dog bad characteristics.

Train your Molossus, have him socialized and be a responsible and loving dog owner, and these dogs promise to make you a splendid family pet.

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

These large dogs are particularly prone to health issues such as hip dysplasia, a genetic condition. A poor diet as well as environmental factors can contribute towards the disease too as well as rapid weight gain and obesity.

This disease develops because the dog’s hip joints haven’t developed properly. The hips then partially dislocate, and the dog has pain and battles to get around. If your dog shows signs of hip dysplasia, he will need to get to the vet to do a physical exam and come up with a treatment- and management program.

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

Exercise:

These dogs were bred to be working dogs and they have always spent their time outdoors performing a guarding or rescue role. Today they require a lot of exercise – walks and ball games – as they are dogs with a lot of energy.

Diet:

Essentially a large breed, the Molossus will need a commercially manufactured food of high quality if you opt to make use of the convenience of these foods.

Make sure to choose one manufactured for large breeds and which is free of a host of bad ingredients such as corn, soy, wheat, dairy, artificial colors, sweeteners and preservatives.

You want dog food which is high in protein and fat. Try and include some home-cooked food such as boiled chicken, brown rice, pasta and vegetables. An ingredient to look out for in your dog’s food is omega-3 fatty acid to help keep the skin and coat shiny and healthy. Puppies particularly benefit from DHA, or Docosahexaenoic acid, a form of omega-3 fatty acid that is good for brain development.

Grooming:

Brushing the dog’s coat twice a week will be necessary to remove loose hairs, especially during the shedding period. When you brush him, check for ticks and fleas and speak to your vet about flea treatment if necessary. Ears and eyes should be checked and cleaned regularly.

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:
Molosser dogs
Toy dog
Origin:
Greece
Australia
Height Male:
50 - 76 cm
19 - 30 inches
23 - 26 cm
9 - 11 inches
Height Female:
50 - 76 cm
19 - 30 inches
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 55 kg
55 - 122 pounds
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 55 kg
55 - 122 pounds
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 16 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 9
3 - 5
Size:
Large dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Molosser, Mastiff-type
Silky Terrier, Sydney Silky
Colors Available:
All colors
blue/tan, grey/blue and cream.
Coat:
Generally short and smooth
long, straight and silky
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, 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:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Perro de Presa Canario vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  2. Molossus vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  3. Molossus vs Dogue De Bordeaux - Breed Comparison
  4. Molossus vs Caucasian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  5. Molossus vs Dogo Guatemalteco - Breed Comparison
  6. Molossus vs Danish Broholmer - Breed Comparison
  7. Molossus vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Molossus vs Cabecudo Boiadeiro - Breed Comparison
  9. Molossus vs Canis Panther - Breed Comparison
  10. Molossus vs Cao de Castro Laboreiro - Breed Comparison
  11. Molossus vs Cao de Fila da Terceira - Breed Comparison
  12. Molossus vs Cordoba Fighting Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. Molossus vs Gran Mastin de Borinquen - Breed Comparison
  14. Molossus vs Korean Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  15. Sage Koochee vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  16. Perro Cimarron vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  17. Perro de Toro vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  18. Samoyed vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  19. Old English Sheepdog vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  20. Presa Canario vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  21. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  22. Saluki vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  23. Rough Collie vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  24. Mountain Cur vs Molossus - Breed Comparison
  25. Pomeranian vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Maltese vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Pug vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Maltipoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Cockapoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Cavapoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Cavachon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Papillon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Japanese Chin vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Miniature English Bulldog vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Bolognese vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Italian Greyhound vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Jug vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Miniature Pinscher vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Dorgi vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Belgian Griffon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Carlin Pinscher vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Dorkie vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. German Spitz (Klein) vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Doxiepoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Bospin vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Bantam Bulldog vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Damchi vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Lowchen vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds