Elo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

Elo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed ComparisonAustralian Silky Terrier is originated from Australia but Elo is originated from Germany. Australian Silky Terrier may grow 34 cm / 13 inches shorter than Elo. Australian Silky Terrier may weigh 29 kg / 63 pounds lesser than Elo. Both Australian Silky Terrier and Elo has almost same life span. Australian Silky Terrier may have less litter size than Elo. Both Australian Silky Terrier and Elo requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Companion dog
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Australia
Germany
Height Male:
23 - 26 cm
9 - 11 inches
46 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
Height Female:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
43 - 58 cm
16 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
22 - 35 kg
48 - 78 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
20 - 32 kg
44 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
13 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
3 - 10
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Silky Terrier, Sydney Silky
Elo Dog
Colors Available:
blue/tan, grey/blue and cream.
white with brown, black, All colors, red, or gray spots
Coat:
long, straight and silky
double fluffy top coat medium and short
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Affectionate, Cheerful, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate 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.

eloDeveloped in Germany in 1987, the Elo is a fairly new breed and there are some unique situations surrounding its development. For one thing the Elo Breeding and Research Association has trademarked the breed name, Elo. The use of the name is supervised by the Elo Breeding and Research Association. Secondly, the goal in developing the Elo is the make the best possible pet for a family. The Elo is bred for behaviors rather than appearances, for companionship rather than work.

The Elo was developed when Marita and Heinz Stories crossed Old English Sheepdogs (Bobtails) with their Eurasiers. They believed that these two breeds were similar in type and development. They were looking to breed a great household pet. The litters from these original crosses were then bred again with Eurasiers or Chow, Dalmatians, and Samoyeds. This expanded the donor base and they continued to breed for character using just the Eurasier, Chow and Bobtail (Old English Sheepdog). Currently there are about 3000 dogs and 60 breeders of Elos. The breed is not really known outside of Germany but that is slowly changing.

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.

elo puppy - descriptionAs previously mentioned the Elo is bred for behaviors not appearance and not work. Therefore, the appearance of any one dog can vary greatly. There is a breed standard but there is also a lot of diversity in the breed. The Elos’ body is longer than it is tall and it tail is full and furry. He carries his tail over his back in a curve. The Elo has furry, slightly rounded, wide set ears. The undercoat is dense, and the top coat length can be medium or short.

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.

elo dog - characteristicsHaving been bred to be a companion animal, the Elo loves children, is loyal, playful, obedient and calm. They love to and need to be with their people. These are not independent, think on their own dogs. They depend on their people in order to be happy and well behaved. He is outgoing and friendly with people.

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.

elo puppies - health problemsAt this point in time the Elo breed is very young and has a very small population, so the breeding group is small and probably inbred. This can lead to hereditary diseases and the Elo is not immune. However, they are a healthy breed and it seems the major issue is Disticha – an eye disease that causes corneal damage. It causes corneal ulcers, inflammation, scarring and tearing. There are a variety of treatments including surgery

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

elo dogs - caringThe Elo is a non-working family dog so do not over feed them. Use a high quality dry food made for a medium size dog.

Health issues

As mentioned previously the Elo breed is so young as a breed that there have been very few health studies and the only inherited issue at this time besides the Disticha.

Exercise and games

Even though the Elo is a non-working dog, they do require a substantial amount of exercise daily. They need outdoors space to run and play as they are very playful with their family. He loves to go on walks, to run, play and dig. Yes, he can be a digger if he is not provided with appropriate and alternative exercise. Without exercise the Elo can be irritable and display behavior issues.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Elo vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Elo vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Elo vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Elo vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Elo vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Elo vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Elo vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Elo vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Elo vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Elo vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Elo vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Elo vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Elo vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Elo vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Elo vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Elo vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Elo vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Elo vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Elo vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Elo vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Elo vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Elo vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Elo vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Elo vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Elo vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Australian Silky Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Australian Silky Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Australian Silky Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  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