Shiba Inu vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

Shiba Inu vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed ComparisonAustralian Silky Terrier is originated from Australia but Shiba Inu is originated from Japan. Australian Silky Terrier may grow 17 cm / 6 inches shorter than Shiba Inu. Both Australian Silky Terrier and Shiba Inu are having almost same weight. Both Australian Silky Terrier and Shiba Inu has same life span. Both Australian Silky Terrier and Shiba Inu has almost same litter size. Australian Silky Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance. But Shiba Inu requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
undefined
Australia
Japan
Height Male:
23 - 26 cm
9 - 11 inches
33 - 43 cm
12 - 17 inches
Height Female:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
33 - 43 cm
12 - 17 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
6 - 11 kg
13 - 25 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
6 - 11 kg
13 - 25 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
2 - 6
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Silky Terrier, Sydney Silky
Japanese Shiba Inu, Shiba-Ken
Colors Available:
blue/tan, grey/blue and cream.
Cream, red, sesame, black and tan.
Coat:
long, straight and silky
 Double coat - thick and straight
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
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.

shiba inuThe Shiba Inu hails from Japan and was a dog bred to hunt birds and small game. The dog is one of 6 native breeds in Japan. Today he is essentially a companion dog in both Japan and the United States.

He is actually one of the smaller spitz dogs in the country but known for his boldness.

The first Shiba Inu was imported into the United States in 1954 and was recognized by their Kennel Club in the Miscellaneous Class and also the Non-Sporting Group.

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.

shiba inu puppy - descriptionThe Shiba Inu is a medium sized, athletic dog standing at between 33cm and 43cm in height both male and female and weighing in the region of 6 to 11kg.

He is an agile dog, known for his feline agility. He has the typical spitz dog erect ears and slanted eyes with the tail curling over the back.

The coat is available in a number of colors – cream, red, sesame, black and tan.The double coat is thick and is made up of straight, stiff kind of hair.

Temperament:

This is an intelligent, independent, alert, strong willed dog who has a calm aura about him. He is stubborn too, so it will be best to have him trained or socialized just to make him more amicable to get along with.

As he is a dog that just loves his human family, this training helps him to get along with other dogs too. He is possessive with his human family, wanting to guard them and everything he regards as his territory.

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.

The Shiba Inu looks like a large fox and he is just as bright and alert.

shiba inu dog - characteristicsHe is the smallest of several spitz dogs that originated in Japan. He is known for his bold, feisty personality and for being so good natured as well. Other excellent characteristics are intelligence, strong-willed, loyal and loving and he has a calm, confident dignity around him.

He will get on well with kids and other dogs he has grown up with but he can be a bit aggressive towards dogs he doesn’t know.

Always ensure good exercise. Getting outside and active is important for this dog.

You can certainly benefit from having this wonderful dog in your life as he has some excellent characteristics.

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.

shiba inu puppies - health problemsShiba Inus are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Look out for things such as hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, bloat, cancer, eye diseases and skin allergies.

Skin Allergies:

Skin allergies can come about because of being allergic to food, fleas, too much shampooing and some medications. It can be traumatic for your pet who will sometimes chew and bite to get relief. Treatment varies but get your pet to the vet.

Glaucoma: 

There is pressure in the eye, and symptoms can include vision loss and pain. Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops but sometimes surgery is required.

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.

Exercise:

shiba inu dogs - caringA nice long walk out and about in the neighborhood is good for this dog. Apart from a daily workout, he will love to come running with you or if you go cycling, he will run next to you. He will require exercise every day.

Grooming:

Brushing your Shiba Inu will be required at least twice a week as he is a dog that sheds quite a bit throughout the year. You want to get rid of those loose hairs to keep him looking nice and groomed.

Diet:

Never pop sugary treats into your pets mouth and avoid feeding him spicy, toxic foods. It can drastically upset his digestion.

You can feed your Shiba Inu commercially manufactured food but it should be the best quality ones. Give him some tasty homemade food too. Simply add into one big pot chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. This food can all be chopped up, refrigerated and added warmed up and in small portions to your pets dry kibble once or twice a week.

Try and also give him some raw meat occasionally. Ensure that there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Australian Silky Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Australian Silky Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Australian Silky Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Australian Silky Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Australian Silky Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Australian Silky Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Australian Silky Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Australian Silky Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Australian Silky Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Australian Silky Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Australian Silky Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Australian Silky Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Australian Silky Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Australian Silky Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Australian Silky Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Australian Silky Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Australian Silky Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Australian Silky Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Australian Silky Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Australian Silky Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Australian Silky Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Australian Silky Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Australian Silky Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Australian Silky Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Australian Silky Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Shiba Inu vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Shiba Inu vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Shiba Inu vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Shiba Inu vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Shiba Inu vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Shiba Inu vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Shiba Inu vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Shiba Inu vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Shiba Inu vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Shiba Inu vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Shiba Inu vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Shiba Inu vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Shiba Inu vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Shiba Inu vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Shiba Inu vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Shiba Inu vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Shiba Inu vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Shiba Inu vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Shiba Inu vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Shiba Inu vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Shiba Inu vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Shiba Inu vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Shiba Inu vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Shiba Inu vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Shiba Inu vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison