Silky Terrier vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison

Silky Terrier vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed ComparisonBraque Saint-Germain is originated from France but Silky Terrier is originated from Australia. Braque Saint-Germain may grow 36 cm / 15 inches higher than Silky Terrier. Braque Saint-Germain may weigh 30 kg / 67 pounds more than Silky Terrier. Both Braque Saint-Germain and Silky Terrier has almost same life span. Braque Saint-Germain may have more litter size than Silky Terrier. Braque Saint-Germain requires Low Maintenance. But Silky Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Toy dog
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France
Australia
Height Male:
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
21 - 26 cm
8 - 11 inches
Height Female:
55 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
21 - 26 cm
8 - 11 inches
Weight Male:
20 - 35 kg
44 - 78 pounds
4 - 5 kg
8 - 12 pounds
Weight Female:
16 - 28 kg
35 - 62 pounds
4 - 5 kg
8 - 12 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
11 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
3 - 5
Size:
Medium
Toy
Other Names:
Saint-Germain Pointer, French Pointer (Saint-Germain), Saint-Germain Pointing Dog, French Pointing Dog (Saint-Germain) Braque d’Auvergne Pointer, Auvergne Pointer, Braque du Auvergne, Auvergnese Pointer, Auvergne Pointing Dog, Auvergnian Pointer, Auvergnese Pointing Dog, Auvergnian Pointing Dog Bleu de Auvergne, Bleu d’Auvergne
Silky Toy Terrier, Australian Silky Terrier
Colors Available:
Dull white with orange (fawn) markings
Tan and silvery grey
Coat:
short not fine
Long, straight and silky
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Cheerful, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

braque saint germainThe Braque Saint-Germain, also known as the St. Germain Pointing Dog, is a French creation. The French pointing dogs and the English pointing dogs were mixed to develop the Braque Saint-Germain. He is a versatile hunting dog that was both a pointer and a gun dog. They are medium to large in size and went from being bred by royalty in the 1830’s to a popular everyday hunting dog. The ancestry of the breed can be traced back many additional centuries.

As popular as the Braque Saint-Germain was as a hunter, he gained his notoriety in the show ring. The first time a Braque Saint-Germain entered the ring in 1863 it was an acclaimed breed and upstaged all other pointing breeds. The French Braque Saint-Germain club was opened in 1913 and recognized by the Federation Cynoloqique International (FCI) and in 2006 was recognized by the North American United Kennel Club. Their popularity has risen and fallen since World War II. It has flirted with extinction more than once. Today’s Braque Saint-Germain is a highly talented hunting dog with a standard appearance that still does well in the ring.

The English Pointer was a cross between the hound dogs, British gundog, Spanish Pointer and herding breeds. This made the English Pointer a very versatile breed before it was crossed with the Braque Francais Gascogne. The Braque Francais Gascogne itself is believed to have developed from the Chien d-Oysel and Italian and Spanish pointing dogs. The English Pointer was specialized in pointing and the French Braque Francais Gascogne was a very versatile dog. In the Braque Saint-Germain the dog world has a versatile, excellent pointing dog.

In the 1800’s the French Crown was gifted with two English Pointers that were great at hunting. Some considered the English Pointers to be better than any of their Braque Francais. The female of these two pointers was bred many times but the male died without breeding. The female’s first litter was with a brown German Spaniel and were of low quality. Her second litter however was with an outstanding bird dog and produced 7 excellent puppies. Because of this these two dogs were bred several more times. The owner of the adult dogs moved to Saint-Germain, where their appearance attracted many hunters. The breed flourished here and was named the Braque Saint-Germain.

Soon corrupt individuals sold non-purebreds as Braque Saint-Germains and handlers showed these dogs under the Saint-Germain name. There are always dangers when a popular breed’s beginnings comes from only two dogs. In 1913 the new breed club fought over the standard and ended up producing two types. The first type was a sturdy dog with long ears and a round chest. He was larger and slower than his cousin. The second type was a smaller dog with a finer skeleton and short, high set ears. He was a galloper to his cousin’s trot.

The breed found itself facing near extinction in 1914 and during all of World War I. Dogs were not bred and many were not properly cared for. The breed became quite rare. Then as it began to recover, the Second World War intervened and devasted the breed again. By the end of the war, they were once again very rare and on the edge of extinction. It took a dedicated effort from local breeders to bring the breed back. By the 1950’s the two types of Braque Saint-Germain dogs were molded into only one breed. There remained a conflict between those that bred show dogs and those that bred hunting dogs.

Slowly the breed grew in number and in the late 1990’s there were over 100 puppies registered into the club every year. More than 100 were entered into the clubs in 2009. There have also been a few English Pointer crosses allowed to breed with the Braque Saint-Germains in order to grow and improve the gene pool. Still the breed is exceedingly rare outside of France. Through it all the breed has been able to maintain its place in confirmation and still be a versatile hunting dog.

silky terrierIt 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.

Description

braque saint germain puppy - descriptionThe Braque Saint-Germain is very much a pointer and yet is a very attractive dog. They have a medium build, drop ears and a long, level tail tapered at the end. They are really distinctive looking with an athletic, lean, muscled look. The skull is round and the muzzle is the same length as the skull. Their nose is pink , their lips cover their lower jaw and their eyes are golden, round and large. The ears are set high on the head and look like they are slightly detached. The neck is long, muscular and arched, while they have deep chest. They are well proportioned, good looking dogs with a friendly facial expression. Their coat is true to the pointing dog group as it is short, smooth and white with orange markings. Dogs of any other color might be great hunting dogs but are not show dogs and should not be bred

silky terrier puppy - descriptionThis 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.

Characteristics

braque saint germain dog - characteristicsThe Braque Saint-Germain is a working dog and a show dog. They are energetic, competitive and driven. They are generally affectionate, loyal and love to cuddle with their people. They need human companionship companionship and can have severe separation anxiety when left by themselves. They love being a member of the family with children, but they are likely to knock very young children down unintentionally.

The Braque Saint-Germain is a loyal, gentle breed and some might even be shy. They are not guard dogs. They are much too friendly toward strangers. Even though they were bred to point and track small game, they can be socialized to be safe living with smaller pets such as cats. They are intelligent, fast learners who love to learn. They also love to work and work long hours without fatigue. They will love to be a jogging or cycling partner.

They do best with large yards, rural areas or in hunting packs. They are not small apartment, city dwellers. They do get along with strangers and other animals. They will warn of strangers, but they are not aggressive.

silky terrier dog - characteristicsThe 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.

Health Problems

braque saint germain puppies - health problemsThe breed has very few health issues even with all the cross breeding followed by inbreeding. Due to the small gene pool there might be some genetically inherited problems. Due to the size of the gene pool, they might suffer from “founder’s effect” where if one dog has a certain condition, their descendants could also. Not enough research has been done to know if this is the case with the Braque Saint-Germain of not.

Some of the potential health issues that the3 Braque Saint-Germain might face include:

  • Dysplasia of the hip and elbow.
  • Cleft Palate or Lip.
  • Ear Infections.
  • PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Demodex Mange/Demodectic mange
  • Epilepsy
  • Deafness
  • Aortic Stenosis
  • Acral Mutilation Syndrome

silky terrier puppies - health problemsJust 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.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

braque saint germain dogs - caringThis is a working dog that can run and track for miles. She needs good nutrition. Feed about 3 cups per day in one or two meals. Two meals are preferred.

Health issues

As previously mentioned this breed might be susceptible to many genetic diseases or disorders but there have not been any studies to show this.

Exercise and games

The Braque Saint Germain does not need a high amount of exercise as their energy level is medium. They still need daily exercise. They do best with a fenced off leash area to run. They love frisbee and chasing balls.

●Grooming:

silky terrier dogs - caringYou 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.

Comparison with other breeds

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