Comparison of
Yorkshire Terrier - Silky Terrier - Australian Terrier
What is the difference between a Yorkshire, Silky and Australian Terrier you may ask? Well, they are related in a way.
The Yorkshire Terrier is a dog with maximum weight of 7 pounds; it has much less muscle and body weight than a Silky Terrier, and is very refined in bone. They also have a more rounded, dome-shaped skull, large round eyes and a short muzzle. A Silky will have a longer, more wedge shape to the head with a flatter skull and an almond shape to the eye. The Australian Terrier head is very much like the Silky only a little larger and coarser. The Silky will weigh approximately 10 pounds while the Australian Terrier weighs in closer to 18 pounds.
The Yorkshire and Silky have similar coats in that it is a single coat (much like human hair). The Australian Terrier has the broken coat (coarse with undercoat) common to most terriers. The Yorkshire and Silky coats do not shed while the Australian Terrier will shed the undercoat about twice a year. The Silky and Australian Terriers have ears which stand erect on top of the head while the Yorkshire ears are erect but may flare more to each side of the head.
The Silky and Australian Terriers are quite similar in temperaments, a true terrier!! A Yorkshire is a ‘small’ terrier but does like to be a pampered ‘pillow’ dog whereas the Silky and Aussie are more independent in nature.
Below are photos at varying ages of all three for you to better be able to see the difference. At one day old, all three look very much alike except birth weight may vary with the Yorkshire being the smallest. It doesn’t take long for them to start showing the difference though – both in looks as well as temperament.
Australian Terrier
8 Weeks 6 Months Adult Head Adult Body Strong terrier with broken double coat (soft undercoat) weighting approx 18-20 lbs
Very robust terriers with longer than tall body
Upon close observation you can see the Aust. Terrier is much like a Silky with the addition of single, long silky coat.
Silky Terrier
8 Weeks 5 Months Adult Head Adult Body Terrier of more refined bone that Aust. Terrier but still very sturdy and muscled. Able to catch small varmits.
They are a single coated dog with hair silky in texture. Almond eyes and ears on top of the head.
Note the longer length of body ~ wedge shape head
Yorkshire Terrier
6 weeks Pet Yorkie Adult Head Adult Yorkie Small, petite dogs that are terrier in nature but lend themselves to being "pillow or lap" dogs.
Yorkie & Silky's are similar in coat textures and colors
Note the square body and more dome shape to the head and slight flare to the earset.