Silky Terrier vs. Yorkshire Terrier: how to tell the difference

Yorkshire Terriers look dainty, but in their hearts they are feisty, brave, and packed with personality.They are one of the most popular breeds in America and are ranked 10th by the American Kennel Club.

The Silky Terrier is a lesser-known cousin of the affectionate little dogs with the silky coats.The similarities between these two members of the Toy Group might explain why they are often confused for one another.

"Silky owners are thrilled when someone comes up and knows we are walking a Silky and not a Yorkie," states Baugh.

She says the club gets calls from people asking if they have a Yorkie or Silky.Many times, the dog in question is an oversized Yorkie, but unless you know the physical differences in head shape, you can't tell apart the breeds.

According to Robbe Lyon, vice president of The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, the breed question most asked by the public is Yorkies vs. Silkys.Lyon, who has been breeding and showing Yorkies with his wife Gloria for 44 years, believes the mix-up is understandable since the Yorkie was a prominent breed used in the development of the Silky.

The Yorkie was developed in the north of England.Several small, broken-haired British terriers went into the mix.The founding father of the Yorkies, a dog named Huddersfield Ben, was bred from the combination of these breeds.

Lyon says that the breed was originally a workingman's dog.Some earned their keep in saloons by entertaining clients and chasing rats, while others were sod-house guardians.The elegant little dog became fashionable with the upper class of Victorian society.

The Silky was born after Yorkies arrived in Australia.Australians wanted a stouter dog for their home, so they looked to cross the Yorkie with the Australian Terrier.Silkys are a cross of Yorkie and Australian Terrier, according to Baugh.There is more to the story.

She states that the Yorkie was bred in England to be a smaller, long-coated dog to catch mice.The Australian Terrier was developed to be stout and strong to catch larger varmints.They had a broken coat.

Puppies with long coats would pop up in Australian Terrier litters.According to Baugh, these long, silky coated pups were taken into several different areas of Australia and developed to be a sturdy long-coated dog with large teeth.The purpose of the new breed was to be both varmint killers and household pets.The Silky would be the result of crosses with Yorkies.

The Yorkshire Terrier, Silky Terrier and Australian Terrier are related but have different purposes.

The Yorkie and Silky are toy terriers.Baugh thinks the coat and colors are the source of mix-ups.Both have a silky coat similar to that of human hair.They can look very much alike when their coats are trimmed.

When it comes to the ring, the Silky's coat is trimmed to reach the floor, while the Yorkie has his coat trimmed.The Silky hair on their head is shorter.

The Silky has a bow in a topknot, while the Yorkies have their hair parted down the middle.

The breeds are similar in size.The body of a Silky has more bone and muscle.The Yorkie is no more than seven pounds.The Silky and Yorkie may look similar to the untrained eye.