Silky Terrier vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison

Silky Terrier vs Belgian Griffon - Breed ComparisonSilky Terrier is originated from Australia but Belgian Griffon is originated from Belgium. Silky Terrier may grow 6 cm / 3 inches higher than Belgian Griffon. Both Silky Terrier and Belgian Griffon are having almost same weight. Both Silky Terrier and Belgian Griffon has almost same life span. Both Silky Terrier and Belgian Griffon has almost same litter size. Both Silky Terrier and Belgian Griffon requires Moderate 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.

belgian griffon - historyThe Belgian Griffon isn’t your most attractive dog, but maybe its his quirky, gremlin looks that makes him such an adored pet for many. There are different varieties of Griffon, and the Belgian- and Brussels Griffon are one and the same. All small Belgian dogs have the same breed standards, with the Belgian having a rough coat The dog hails from Belguim and its ancestors were no doubt a mix of the Belgian street dog, the Stable Griffon and the Affenpinscher.

Later on in the 1800s, this combination was then crossed with the Pug, giving the dog the brachycephalic or flat faced look.

Unfortunately no written records were kept about the precise origin of this breed, but there is also the idea that the King Charles- and English Toy Spaniel were also involved in its development. These small dogs were bred to catch rats in the barns of European estates.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Toy dog
Origin:
Australia
Belgium
Height Male:
21 - 26 cm
8 - 11 inches
18 - 20 cm
7 - 8 inches
Height Female:
21 - 26 cm
8 - 11 inches
16 - 20 cm
6 - 8 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 5 kg
8 - 12 pounds
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 5 kg
8 - 12 pounds
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
11 - 14 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
1 - 3
Size:
Toy dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Silky Toy Terrier, Australian Silky Terrier
Brussels Griffon, Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois Petit Brabançon
Colors Available:
Tan and silvery grey
red, tan or black
Coat:
Long, straight and silky
2 types - soft or wiry
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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.

Small but Full of Attitude

belgian griffon puppy - descriptionThere are different variations of this dog to give it its distinctive look and size. This quaint looking little Griffon canine comes with two different coat types - soft or wiry. With the Belgian Griffon, his wiry coat of red, tan or black will need to be brushed at least twice a week. Shedding with this dog is seasonal.

He has a compact, sturdy little body, and he trots around with attitude. With his sharp pointed ears and whiskers, he has been given the nickname ‘bearded dog’. His dark black eyes are alert. He is self-confident, intelligent and curious breed, a great family pet and good with children if he has grown up with them in the home. He is good with other pets. The fact that this is a small breed and that he doesn’t have excessive energy levels, means he is adaptable to city- and country living.

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.

belgian griffon dog - characteristicsThe Belgian Griffon is an affectionate pet and often establishes a strong bond with one member of the family. You’ll have your Griffon with you for about 15 years so make sure he is trained and a pleasure to have around.They are difficult to train, being somewhat stubborn so they are going to require patience. They’re sensitive too, and they won’t respond well to aggressive treatment.

They’re much more indoor dogs than outdoor dogs because they’re also vulnerable to heat stroke. They just want to come indoors and be with their human family, and when you do that for them, they’ll become a wonderful friend and companion to you.

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.

belgian griffon puppies - health problemsWhen you get your Griffon from a reputable breeder, you always have a better chance that he’ll be healthy. As it is, the Belgian Griffon has few hereditary health issues. However his dark eyes will have some genetic problems to contend with and he could suffer with progressive retinal atrophy. This is an illness which can lead to blindness

Other health issues to look out for are -

Syringomyelia – this is a neurological condition – an abnormality of the spinal cord – a disease which occurs more frequently in small breeds. It can cause your pet to endure a lot of pain.

Birthing Issues - these little dogs often have problems with giving birth, and a vet often has to intervene and perform a cesarean.

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.

Food and Water

belgian griffon dogs - caringThe Belgian Griffon will do well if you invest in high quality foods. You can make your own, but if you’re concerned about his health, it would be best to check what ingredients should go into his home-prepared meals to ensure he gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs.

If you want to go with commercially manufactured dog foods, check with your vet about wet- and dry foods. Your vet will help with choosing a food appropriate to his size and age. Always ensure that there is clean, fresh water available to your pet.

Exercise

Even though he is a small breed, he is fairly active and he will need his fair share of exercise like ball games and walks. Training and socialization are a must for him. You’ll notice that training isn’t particularly easy with this breed, and first time dog owners might not have the patience with him.

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. Pomeranian vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  27. Maltese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  28. Pug vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  29. Maltipoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  30. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  31. Cockapoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  32. Cavapoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  33. Cavachon vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  34. Papillon vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  35. Japanese Chin vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature English Bulldog vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  37. Bolognese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  38. Italian Greyhound vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  39. Jug vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Pinscher vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  41. Dorgi vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  42. Belgian Griffon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Belgian Griffon vs Bantam Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  44. Carlin Pinscher vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  45. Dorkie vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  46. German Spitz (Klein) vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  47. Doxiepoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  48. Bospin vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  49. Damchi vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  50. Lowchen vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds