Dog
Pronunciation:
silk-eez
Breed Description:
The Silkese breed of dog is a "designer" or mixed breed that was created by crossing the Silky Terrier with the Maltese. Because of this, a breed type has not been established and the looks and temperament of the dog can greatly change from one puppy to the next. Generally, the Silkese will have qualities of both parents. They are a toy sized breed of dog with a small, compact body that is usually slightly longer than it is tall. The head is usually round in shape with either medium length erect ears or hanging ears. The muzzle is usually medium in lenght and the head is usually well-proportioned with the body. The tail of the Silkese is usually long and curls over the back of the dog, although some can have a short tail.
The coat of the Silkese is usually a double coat with a soft, short undercoat and a fluffy topcoat that is medium in length and very soft. The coat can be found in any color or marking of the parent breeds but the common color is cream.
Temperament:
The Silkese breed of dog is a designer breed and because of this, their temperament can vary greatly. They are known for being full of personality and are usually described as a spunky little dog. They often have a happy disposition and they are always ready to make people laugh. The Silkese does tend to have a strong temperament and can be very terrier like. They do enjoy a good game of fetch or chase and they don't usually back down from anything. They are usually very friendly and generally do well with children of all ages, although their small size often makes them better suited to homes with older children. The breed does well with other dogs but they often have a strong prey drive and are not recommended for homes with small, non-canine pets.
Height:
There is no set height for the Silkese at this time.
Weight:
The average weight for a Silkese is between 6 to 12 pounds, however, some can reach up to 30 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Silkese breed of dog has no known health problems, however, it is important to read up on both the Silky Terrier and the Maltese to be aware of the health problems your puppy may be at risk for.
Living Conditions:
The Silkese breed of dog is versatile when it comes to living conditions and they can live in both apartments and homes with yards. They should not live outdoors and do best when they are inside with their family as a companion dog.
Exercise:
The Silkese breed of dog is an active breed that requires between 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day. Generally, two good walks will meet their needs but it is also important to give them an opportunity for off leash exercise as well.
Life Expectancy:
10 to 15 years
Grooming:
The Silkese breed of dog is usually clipped for easier grooming and when they are, they can be extremely easy to care for. Clipping should be done once or twice a year and the head should be clipped once a month. Brushing should be done once a week, unless they are in full coat when they should be brushed daily. The Silkese should be bathed once a month and the ears should be kept clean to prevent ear infections.
Origin:
The Silkese breed of dog is a designer `hybrid`breed that has become popular over the last decade or so. There is no actual origin for the breed and if you are interested in learning more about the Silkese, it is important to read up on both the Silky Terrier and the Maltese. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
