Bull Arab vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

Bull Arab vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed ComparisonBoth Australian Silky Terrier and Bull Arab are originated from Australia. Australian Silky Terrier may grow 43 cm / 16 inches shorter than Bull Arab. Australian Silky Terrier may weigh 44 kg / 97 pounds lesser than Bull Arab. Both Australian Silky Terrier and Bull Arab has same life span. Australian Silky Terrier may have less litter size than Bull Arab. Australian Silky Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance. But Bull Arab requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Sporting dog
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Australia
Australia
Height Male:
23 - 26 cm
9 - 11 inches
63 - 69 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
61 - 67 cm
24 - 27 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
30 - 50 kg
66 - 111 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
27 - 46 kg
59 - 102 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
8 - 10
Size:
Small
Large
Other Names:
Silky Terrier, Sydney Silky
Australian Pig Dog • Aussie Pig Dog
Colors Available:
blue/tan, grey/blue and cream.
white with black, liver or tan[
Coat:
long, straight and silky
short, harsh coat double
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

australian silky terrierMany toy breeds have been bred for centuries and were kept as lap dogs and companion dogs. Known at first as ‘The Sydney Silk’ the Australian Silky Terrier originated in Australia, but before the 2nd World War, the Australian SilkyTerrier was all but unknown outside Australia.

The toy breed came about by crossing the Yorkshire Terrier and the Australian Terrier, but further crossings contributed to the silky coat and the small size we are familiar with today. Despite this little dog being classified in the Toy Group, this spunky dog has the ability to hunt and kill rodents.

Victorian and Tasmanian breeders claimed to be originators of the breed, so the official name, Australian Silky Terrier, was adopted in 1956. Since recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1955, the breed has enjoyed a solid build up of fans.

bull arabIn the 1970’s feral pig hunters wanted a dog that could be aggressive in finding and capturing the pigs. The hunters crossed the German Shorthaired Pointer, the Bull Terrier and the Greyhound to develop the Bull Arab. It is believed that the hybrid is at least 50% Bull Terrier. It is also possible that there is some Doberman, Mastiff, Great Dane and/or Pointer in the hybrid as well.

The job of the Bull Arab is to hunt out the feral pigs, grab one by the ear and hold it until the hunter arrives. They have a strong sense of smell and that is how they find the pigs.

Mike Hodgens, an Australian, developed the hybrid and added some Bloodhound as well to get that ability to smell out the pigs at great distances. They are also capable of catching buffalo and cattle. Some Australians use the breed in cattle or buffalo ranching. They are registered with the DRA or Dog Registry of America, Inc.

Description

Small but Spunky

australian silky terrier puppy - descriptionThis is a small breed with Loads of Spunk. The Silky terrier is somewhat longer than tall and height is around 23cm, with weight being about 4kg. He has an athletic build and although the bone structure is refined, the small dog has amazing strength and durability with a keen, alert face. Small but sturdily built, the dark, almond-shaped eyes don’t miss a thing as do the small, erect v-shaped ears.

Full of fun and packed with character, the Silky Terrier isn’t your regular lap dog as he is bold, active, feisty and playful- always ready for action. He can be aggressive toward strange pets but becomes amicable with other pets in the home. He is sharp and clever, and can be trained to be an absolute pleasure in the home and a playmate for children trained to be kind to animals.

They are loving and devoted to their human family and can be excellent watchdogs even though they can’t offer much protection.

The Coat – the most Distinctive Feature

Of course, the Silky Terrier gets his name from the sleek, silky coat that if allowed to grow, flows down from their backs to the floor. It is the dogs most distinctive feature. They come in several solid colors and mixes of colors too such as blue/tan, grey/blue and cream.

He’s Adaptable

The Silky is an adaptable dog and even though he is energetic and will needs daily physical and mental exercise, he can be a country or an apartment dog, but will require plenty of exercise and getting out and about.

bull arab puppy - descriptionMike Hodgens succeeded in developing a powerful, well built dog. The Bull Arab has a powerful head and muzzle. He has moderate length drop ears and bright eyes that match the color of his coat. His chest is neither shallow nor deep and his back is straight and strong. Their tails are tapered and pointed yet the base is thick. They are a double-coated dog. They can be white with black, tan or liver, flecked or bicolor.

Characteristics

Caution with Small Children

australian silky terrier dog - characteristicsSmall in stature but with a strong personality, the Australian Silky Terrier is a keen, intelligent, active, energetic and spunky breed. He is affectionate and loyal towards his human family, and although good with older children and other pets, he may not get on too well with small children and their erratic movements.

Training Required for his Wilful Nature

Don’t leave him alone for too long as he becomes anxious and destructive. He is an active dog too and while he will adapt to apartment living, he will need exercise and games to keep him active, fit, stimulated and healthy. Your Silky is an intelligent dog but he is stubborn too and proper socialization and training will be important for Silky Terriers, as then he becomes quite sociable.

A firm but gentle hand will be needed to train this wilful little dog, but when you show him who’s boss, he becomes your devoted and loyal friend.

bull arab dog - characteristicsThe Bull Arab is intelligent, calm and loyal. Like Pit Bulls in the U.S., the Bull Arab has a reputation for aggression against both people and animals. There is no data to support these claims. They have been used as therapy dogs and companion animals very successfully. They are great with kids and very affectionate. The breed is cited as being used for companion and therapy animals

Health Problems

Some Ailments to Look out For

australian silky terrier puppies - health problemsThe Australian Silky Terrier is generally healthy and he has a lifespan of 11 – 14 years. However he may suffer from some problems such as Legg-Perthes disease. This means degeneration of the head on the femur bone of the dog's hind leg, resulting is osteoarthritis. This ailment is commonly seen in miniature-, small and toy breeds and can result in lameness and pain.

Silky Terriers are also prone to certain eye disorders, including PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy as well as cataracts. PRA can lead to total blindness.

Vaccinating your Pet – what’s required?

Getting the right puppy shots and vaccinations is also part of good health care for your Silky and you can speak to your vet about what injections are due at 6 – 8 weeks of age and what booster vaccinations may be necessary.

bull arab puppies - health problemsThis is an extremely healthy hybrid with no inherited issues, but they can possible have the same health issues as any of the parent breeds. This can include accidents while hunting, hip and elbow dysplasia and ear infections.

Caring The Pet

Regular Brushing of the Silky Hair

australian silky terrier dogs - caringThe long, straight coat of the Silky will need a fair amount of brushing each day. This dog is considered a hypoallergenic breed, and although he doesn’t shed a lot, the length of the hair will require regular brushing to get rid of loose hairs but also ensure there is no tangling of the hair. If the hair of the dog is kept long, he may require a bath every now and then to keep his hair silky and clean and to get rid of dirt build-up.

Nutrition and Diet

A healthy, nutritional diet is important for keeping your canine friend healthy and free from disease and unhealthy skin. To stay health your pet will require correct amounts of vitamins and minerals.

Dog food companies make different types of dog food such as dry, semi-moist, and moist and these are available for dogs of different ages, activity levels and stage of life. Speak to your vet about selecting a dog food that is right for your Australian Silky Terrier and always ensure a bowl of fresh water is available to him.

Feeding

bull arab dogs - caringThis is a working dog so he needs to eat the right kind of quality dog food. In order to avoid bloat do not feed large meals but rather feed one to two cups of food two to three times a day.

Health issues

Displaysia – can cause lameness and arthritis

Ear Infections – check and clean regularly

Hunting Accidents – this is the biggest reasons for health problems with the Bull Arab.

Exercise and games

These are working dogs that are inactive when not working. They need a lot of exercise if they are not used for hunting. Agility, Tracking and hunting games, and field trials.

Comparison with other breeds

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  10. Bull Arab vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
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  14. Bull Arab vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
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  26. Australian Silky Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  29. Australian Silky Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Australian Silky Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Australian Silky Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Australian Silky Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Australian Silky Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Australian Silky Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Australian Silky Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Australian Silky Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Australian Silky Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Australian Silky Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Australian Silky Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Australian Silky Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Australian Silky Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Australian Silky Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Australian Silky Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Australian Silky Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Australian Silky Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Australian Silky Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Australian Silky Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Australian Silky Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Australian Silky Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Australian Silky Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison