Bull Arab vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

Bull Arab vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed ComparisonBoth Bull Arab and Australian Silky Terrier are originated from Australia. Bull Arab may grow 43 cm / 17 inches higher than Australian Silky Terrier. Bull Arab may weigh 44 kg / 98 pounds more than Australian Silky Terrier. Both Bull Arab and Australian Silky Terrier has same life span. Bull Arab may have more litter size than Australian Silky Terrier. Bull Arab requires Low maintenance. But Australian Silky Terrier requires Moderate maintenance

History

bull arab - historyIn 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.

australian silky terrier - historyMany 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.

Basic Information

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

Description

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.

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.

Characteristics

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

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.

Health Problems

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.

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.

Caring The Pet

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.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  2. German Wirehaired Pointer vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  3. Bull Arab vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Gordon Setter vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  5. Magyar Agar vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  6. Eurohound vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  7. Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Noir vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  8. Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Orange vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  9. Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  10. Tweed Water Spaniel vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  11. Samoyed vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  12. Labradoodle vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  13. Mixed vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  14. Dogue De Bordeaux vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  15. German Shorthaired Pointer vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  16. Great Pyrenees vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  17. Old English Sheepdog vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  18. Presa Canario vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  19. Labrador Husky vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  20. Perro de Presa Canario vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  21. Argentine Dogo vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  22. Irish Setter vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  23. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  24. Giant Schnauzer vs Bull Arab - Breed Comparison
  25. Pomeranian vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Maltese vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Pug vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Maltipoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Cockapoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Cavapoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Cavachon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Papillon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Japanese Chin vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Miniature English Bulldog vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Bolognese vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Italian Greyhound vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Jug vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Miniature Pinscher vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Dorgi vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Belgian Griffon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Carlin Pinscher vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Dorkie vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. German Spitz (Klein) vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Doxiepoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Bospin vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Bantam Bulldog vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Damchi vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Lowchen vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds