Silky Terrier vs Schillerstovare - Breed Comparison

It 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.

The Schillerstövare originated in Sweden, being named after a Swedish farmer, Per Schiller. After he died, the dog was named Schillerstövare in 1907, and was Sweden's first native dog breed.

The Swedish Kennel Club recognised this dog in 1907 and it is also recognised by the Federation Cynologique Internationale as well as a number of minor kennels and dog clubs.

The dog has always been used as a hunting dog and the English Foxhound is the e foundation for this breed.

This 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.

The Schillerstövare is a medium to large sized dog. They’re athletic and muscular.

Standing at between 53–61cm in height and weighing in the region of 18–25kg, the coat of the dog is fairly short and harsh, with the color being black and tan.Sometimes you’ll see some white markings on the chest and paws.

The head is domed, the eyes brown, bright and alert and the ears of the dog are broad, medium length and floppy. The long tail is carried low or held out when running or alert.

If you allow your Schillerstovare to have puppies, you can expect between 3 to 7.

Temperament:

The Schillerstovare is a calm dog but he can get petty lively when there’s a game to be had. He gets on well with well disciplined children who have been taught to be kind and respectful to animals. He also gets on well with pets in the home. Just like with most other dogs, he will need to be trained and socialized as he is a strong willed, confident, dominant dog.

He is friendly and active but will be somewhat reserved around strangers.These dogs will require a lot of exercise and will need quite a bit of space too. They aren't well suited to small properties in the city. He will need a daily walk but also a chance to get off his leash and run free in the park. Other forms of exercise such as hikes, ball game and swimming will delight him.

The 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.

Schillerstovares are social, loving, friendly, loyal dogs who enjoy being around their human family. He’s going to need a lot of exercise, both mental and physical to keep him from boredom and frustration.

He will rely on you for at least a daily walk. He is strong-will and confident and will do well in a family where they are active and where they are firm, patient, kind and consistent in their behaviour towards him because then he ticks all th right boxes for being a splendid pet.

Just 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.

Even though your Schillerstovare is a healthy dog breed, hip dysplasia is a common dog disease that many dogs get.

This is a skeletal disease when a dog’s hip joints become partially dislocated. It can be very difficult for your dog to get around, and he can also develop arthritis. It gets very sad when your dog doesn’t even want to participate in games anymore.

●Grooming:

You 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.

With his short coat, the Schillerstovare is considered a low maintenance dog and requires a minimal amount of grooming. Brushing should be done twice a week to remove loose hair. The harsh outer coat seems to repel dirt and dust.

Trim your pet’s nails, check inside his ears for signs of redness, make sure his eyes are bright and clear and make sure he doesn’t have any unusual lumps on him.

Make sure his vaccines are up to date to avoid deadly canine diseases. Take him to the vet when you suspect he isn’t his normal self.

Diet:

Dogs, just like humans, do well on good, nutritious diets. Feed a human lots of junk food and sweets and they’ll grow up to be obese and unhealthy. That's exactly how it is with dogs too. Some of the best commercially manufactured dog foods are convenient and they can be good if you look at the top brands. Look for ones that cater for your dog’s age, size, breed and activity levels. This dry kibble can be made more inviting for your pet when you include some homemade food.

Dogs just want simplicity so that they don’t battle with digestive problems. Boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach will be wonderful for him when you chop the food up and add it into the dry kibble twice a week. See his tail wag and his brown eyes light up when he smells this treat. Some raw meat added up occasionally will also contribute to your pet’s heath.

Make sure he is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.