Santal Hound vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

Santal Hound is originated from India but Australian Silky Terrier is originated from Australia. Santal Hound may grow 19 cm / 8 inches higher than Australian Silky Terrier. Santal Hound may weigh 6 kg / 14 pounds more than Australian Silky Terrier. Both Santal Hound and Australian Silky Terrier has almost same life span. Santal Hound may have more litter size than Australian Silky Terrier. Santal Hound requires Low maintenance. But Australian Silky Terrier requires Moderate maintenance

History

The Santal Hound has always been used for hunting and these Indian pariah dogs haven’t changed much over the years.

It is a small red Indian indigenous dog. It is named after the Santal tribe who used the dog for hunting. They sometimes refer to the dog as Seuta and Kukur.

When you do research on the Santal Hound, you will mostly find it among indigenous peoples. It isn’t only found in India but in Africa, being found among the different nomadic  hunting tribes in East Africa.

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

The Santal is considered a small to medium sized dog standing at between 40 and 45cm in height and weighing between 9 and 12 kilograms.

It is also slightly built with fine bones. The coat of the dog is reddish brown or yellow-brown, the eyes are almond shaped and brown and the muzzle is pointed. The ears of the dog are erect and point forward. The tail of this dog is usually curled over the dog’s back. The dog doesn’t really bark as such but howls instead. It has small paws and walks with a high-stepping style like a prancing horse.

Temperament:

These dogs are calm, independent, loving and loyal and also affectionate with their human family. He is cool with strangers.

They are alert, intelligent dogs and you certainly won’t have any trouble teaching him a few simple commands. He cleans himself like a cat. He seems to understand what you say as he always cocks his head to one side when you talk to him. He is a playful dog and will love to be involved with games with the children.

He can also get on well with other dogs in the family. He is capable of adapting to life in the city or the countryside just so long as his exercise needs are met.

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 Santal dog is an unusual dog with some unique characteristics. He hasn’t got any particularly exceptional characteristics either, but he promises to make you a good pet.

He is capable of providing you with lots of love, and on top of that he is a low maintenance dog too.

When you bring him into your home, you’re going to get yourself a loyal, loving pet and companion.

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

Dogs stand a better chance of avoiding sickness if they are fed well and they get a fair amount of exercise. But our fur kids can get sick anytime really, and it pays to know about some of the dangerous diseases they can succumb to -

Canine parvovirus:

Your dog will have a fever, he will be lethargic and have diarrhea with vomiting. It is a contagious virus affecting dogs that come into contact with the feces of an ill dog. It attacks a dog’s internal organs, and although the vet will do everything possible to help your dog, parvo is often fatal.

There are vaccines to prevent your dog getting this terrible disease.

Heartworm:

Your dog will be coughing, have respiratory problems, lethargy and weight loss. These parasites are found in your dog’s heart and are spread by mosquitoes. Check with your vet about treatments to prevent this horrible illness.

Rabies:

Have your pet vaccinated against rabies, a deadly diseases spread by saliva and a bite from an infected animal. It is fatal and once your dog has this disease, there is no treatment.

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:

Provide your Santal Hound with top quality food to ensure his health. While there are some excellent commercially manufactured foods on the market, it is important to choose the high quality ones that have natural, good ingredients in them.

Try to include some home-made food for him which can be simply mixed into the dry kibble twice a week. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are super tasty and nutritious. Your dog will love such simple, good food as it doesn’t upset his stomach.

If you can, try and include a little bit of raw meat to his diet occasionally as this can go towards ensuring he doesn’t get skin diseases.

Trim your dogs nails, check his eyes and ears for infection and check his teeth too.

Provide your dog with a warm, dry place to sleep.

Don’t allow your Santal Hound to have puppies. There are so many unwanted puppies all over the world. Rather have him or her spayed or neutered to avoid puppies that nobody wants. It is beneficial for his health 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:
Hound dog
Toy dog
Origin:
India
Australia
Height Male:
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
23 - 26 cm
9 - 11 inches
Height Female:
40 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
9 - 12 kg
19 - 27 pounds
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 12 kg
19 - 27 pounds
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
3 - 5
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Seuta, Kukur
Silky Terrier, Sydney Silky
Colors Available:
Reddish brown or yellow-brown
blue/tan, grey/blue and cream.
Coat:
Short and smooth
long, straight and silky
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, 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:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Santal Hound vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  2. Santal Hound vs Pharaoh Hound - Breed Comparison
  3. Santal Hound vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  4. Santal Hound vs Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  5. Santal Hound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  6. Santal Hound vs Hungarian Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  7. Santal Hound vs Redbone Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  8. Santal Hound vs Bluetick Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  9. Santal Hound vs Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  10. Santal Hound vs Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  11. Santal Hound vs Bavarian Mountain Hound - Breed Comparison
  12. Santal Hound vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  13. Santal Hound vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Santal Hound vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  15. Santal Hound vs Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie - Breed Comparison
  16. Santal Hound vs Alpine Dachsbracke - Breed Comparison
  17. Santal Hound vs Basset Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  18. Santal Hound vs Podenco Canario - Breed Comparison
  19. Santal Hound vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  20. Santal Hound vs Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  21. Santal Hound vs Chippiparai - Breed Comparison
  22. Santal Hound vs Podenco Andaluz - Breed Comparison
  23. Santal Hound vs Podenco Galego - Breed Comparison
  24. Santal Hound vs English Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  25. Santal Hound vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison
  26. Pomeranian vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Maltese vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Pug vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Maltipoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Cockapoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Cavapoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Cavachon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Papillon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Japanese Chin vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature English Bulldog vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Bolognese vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Italian Greyhound vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Jug vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Pinscher vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Dorgi vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Belgian Griffon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Carlin Pinscher vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Dorkie vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. German Spitz (Klein) vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Doxiepoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Bospin vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Bantam Bulldog vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Damchi vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  50. Lowchen vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds