Silky Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Silky Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed ComparisonSilky Terrier is originated from Australia but German Shepherd is originated from Germany. Silky Terrier may grow 41 cm / 16 inches shorter than German Shepherd. Silky Terrier may weigh 39 kg / 85 pounds lesser than German Shepherd. Both Silky Terrier and German Shepherd has almost same life span. Silky Terrier may have less litter size than German Shepherd. Silky Terrier requires Moderate maintenance. But German Shepherd requires Low maintenance

History

silky terrier - historyIt is the Yorkshire Terrier and the Australian Terrier which are the ancestors of the Australian Silky Terrier. This is by no means a new dog breed. It is believed that the breed came into existence at the end of the 19th century.

The dog’s purpose is to be a companion. This little canine wasn’t always known as the Silky Terrier, but in 1955 the name became officially Silky Terrier.

The breed is also recognized by the Australia National Kennel Council in the Toy Group. In fact the breed is recognised by a number of the major kennel clubs as well as the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

​​

german shepherd - historyIn 1882 german shepherd was introduced in a show at Hanover. They were created by the cross breeding of the rural sheep dogs by a man named Max. In 1906 they were first exported to America. After that the breed became very popular in UK.

Description

silky terrier puppy - descriptionThis is a small dog breed, standing at just 21 to 26cm in height and weighing in the region of 4 to 5kg. He may be a toy dog, but he is robust and athletic.

The ears of the Silky are small and erect with a lot of silky hair that hangs down and the tail is preferably docked and held high.

His coat is eye-catching – straight, long, silky and shiny. If it is left unclipped, it will reach the floor. The colour of the coat is a tan and silvery grey.

Temperament:

The temperament of any dog is affected by things such as heredity, upbringing and the training and socialization he receives.

Small he may be, but the Silky Terrier can benefit from training as he is feisty and strong willed.

He is energetic and always ready for action. He is ready to come bounding after you and join his human family for any action they’re into. He is playful, bold, loyal, tenacious, independent, social and lively and he makes a good playmate for children.

He might tend to be a bit snappy and aggressive towards other dogs. He is also great as a watchdog, barking and alerting you to strangers.

german shepherd puppy - descriptionThe GSD is very good for being a watchdog and hence it do not welcome guests to home. But when trained from a puppy it will suit itself for making new friends. GSD like to be always with somebody and they can be its master or his family members or else its partner. The GSD is very intelligent and active hence they should be always kept busy, exercised and playing. Nowadays many of them are trained well and made as four legged stars.

When we see all around the world many of them are involved in helping the physically challenged people. Also they are very important personnels in working with police and military for finding the criminals. Their excellent sniffing power works very good when given proper training for finding illegal smuggling. But basically the breed was set in to herd the sheep and protect them from predators.

Based on the popularity they are ranked 2nd in US and 4th in UK.

Characteristics

silky terrier dog - characteristicsThe silky terrier is a good choice for those who want a smallish dog but one which is robust and adventurous.

Your Silky is a loyal dog who loves spending time with his human family, wanting their companionship.

He will need to be physically and mentally stimulated as he is bright and intelligent. He can adapt to life in the city or the countryside but will need to be well exercised wherever he is.

Children friendliness

german shepherd dog - characteristicsThe GSD is a very good child friendly dog, they love to play with kids.

Adaptability

They adopts both hot and cold climates, but they like cold weather very much and also their body is suitable for cold than hot.

Learning ability

The GSD has high ability to learn tricks and also they are interested in learning. As they have very high intelligence they learn very easily and quickly.

Health Problems

silky terrier puppies - health problemsJust like most other dogs, the Silky Terrier isn’t likely to get sick easily, but he can still succumb to any one of the dog illnesses there are.

Diabetes:

This is when your pet isn’t able to regulate blood sugar levels. Your dog will be drinking a lot more water than usual and also be urinating more often. The vet will explain to you a special diet for your pet and how the disease can be controlled with insulin.

Tracheal Collapse: 

This is a disease seen more often in smaller dogs like the Silky. It is caused by an obstruction in the airway and symptoms can include labored breathing and coughing. Your dog will need to be treated with anti-biotics and possibly surgery.

german shepherd puppies - health problemsThe GSD has the chances for getting orthopaedic diseases such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Other common orthopaedic problems which affects GSD are Panosteitis, Osteochondritis and cruciate ligament rupture.They also get some skin problems such as allergies and pyoderma. Digestive problems such as chronic diarrhea and colitis are also seen in GSD.

Hair fall

GSD is a continuous shedder. They are having a two layer coat. They should be brushed daily as it will remove the dead fur and thus prevents shedding.

Caring The Pet

●Grooming:

silky terrier dogs - caringYou can imagine that with that silky hair, you’re going to have to be brushing your furry friend quite a bit. It’s such soft, silky hair that it easily picks up burrs and gets matted. You may want to get your pet to a professional groomer to have the hair cut. As you brush him, check for any unusual lumps and keep an eye on his skin.

Check your pet’s teeth. Bad teeth can cause bacteria that can affect every part of your dog’s body. Check inside his ears for redness and check his eyes that there is no discharge. Trim the nails. If you don’t have the time or the inclination to do all these things for him, make an appointment with the professional pet groomers who will do it for you.

● Diet:

The Silky Terrier will need quality food if you want him to enjoy a long, healthy life. Its always a good idea to have some of the top quality commercially manufactured dog foods with you for convenience. If you want to give him the best there is, some home-made food will be a good choice, if you keep it simple.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet – plain and simple without any exotic spices that could upset his stomach. Your dog will lap it up and you will see how he loves it. Chop the home-made food up and add some of it into his dry kibble as a treat twice a week.

Never leave him without a constant source of fresh, cool water.

german shepherd dogs - caringThe GSD should be given an cool environment which they will enjoy a lot.

Feeding the puppy

The GSD puppy should be fed small quantities of food but several times per day as it needs to gain 2 gms weight per day. The preferred food for them is dry food along with raw liver pieces which would provide them excellent energy. The protein food given to puppy should contain 25 to 30% calories. Puppies consume more food when compared with adults.

Feeding the adult

The GSD needs a food which has a considerable amount of protein. They are carnivores in the nature. The protein can be given from cooked meat. The artificial food products will not be suitable for them. When are provided with protein food they will gain fat from itself. The recommended fat content for GSD is 5% to 8%.

Points for Good Health

The GSD should be provided with a nutritional food for their good health.

Games and Exercises

Physical exercises are very much needed for GSD since they are very energetic and power packed. It is highly recommended to make them play and run daily as they don't need to get bored. They can be made to climb in hilly areas as they want to explore their surroundings. They can be made to swim or play hide and seek and find the missing objects. Regular morning walk will be very good for them.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Australia
Germany
Height Male:
21 - 26 cm
8 - 11 inches
61 - 67 cm
24 - 27 inches
Height Female:
21 - 26 cm
8 - 11 inches
55 - 61 cm
21 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 5 kg
8 - 12 pounds
34 - 44 kg
74 - 98 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 5 kg
8 - 12 pounds
34 - 44 kg
74 - 98 pounds
Life Span:
11 - 14 Years
9 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
1 - 15
Size:
Toy dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Silky Toy Terrier, Australian Silky Terrier
Alsatian, Alsatian wolf dog, Berger Allemand, Deutscher Schaferhund, Schaferhund
Colors Available:
Tan and silvery grey
Black and Tan, Sable, Bicolor, Black and White
Coat:
Long, straight and silky
dense and thick, short, medium thick, thick and fluffy, long, furry around their chest, ears, tail or backs of their legs
Shedding:
Moderate
Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Aggressive, Alert, Gentle, Intelligent, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Quiet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Silky Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Silky Terrier vs Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  3. Silky Terrier vs Morkie - Breed Comparison
  4. Silky Terrier vs Havanese - Breed Comparison
  5. Silky Terrier vs Chorkie - Breed Comparison
  6. Silky Terrier vs Pekingese - Breed Comparison
  7. Silky Terrier vs Chinese Crested Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Silky Terrier vs Chiweenie - Breed Comparison
  9. Silky Terrier vs Chug - Breed Comparison
  10. Silky Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  11. Silky Terrier vs Brussels Griffon - Breed Comparison
  12. Silky Terrier vs Chipoo - Breed Comparison
  13. Silky Terrier vs Chiapom - Breed Comparison
  14. Silky Terrier vs English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) - Breed Comparison
  15. Silky Terrier vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison
  16. Silky Terrier vs Bichon Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  17. Silky Terrier vs Russian Toy Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Silky Terrier vs Franzuskaya Bolonka - Breed Comparison
  19. Silky Terrier vs Phalene - Breed Comparison
  20. Silky Terrier vs Bugg - Breed Comparison
  21. Silky Terrier vs Cockachon - Breed Comparison
  22. Silky Terrier vs Shih Tzu - Breed Comparison
  23. Snorkie vs Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Toy Bulldog vs Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Toy Mi-Ki vs Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Old English Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  27. Akbash Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Abruzzenhund vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  29. Briard vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. Rough Collie vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  31. Bouvier des Flandres vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  32. East German Shepherd vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  33. Saarlooswolfhond vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  34. Estrela Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  35. Huntaway vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  37. Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. South Russian Ovcharka vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  39. Mioritic Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  40. Siberian Husky vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  41. Golden Retriever vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. Rottweiler vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  43. American Bully vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  44. Boxer vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  45. Akita vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. Doberman Pinscher vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  47. Samoyed vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  48. Labradoodle vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  49. Cane Corso vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  50. Alaskan Malamute vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds