Kerry Beagle vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

Kerry Beagle vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed ComparisonAustralian Silky Terrier is originated from Australia but Kerry Beagle is originated from Ireland. Australian Silky Terrier may grow 35 cm / 13 inches shorter than Kerry Beagle. Australian Silky Terrier may weigh 21 kg / 46 pounds lesser than Kerry Beagle. Both Australian Silky Terrier and Kerry Beagle has almost same life span. Australian Silky Terrier may have less litter size than Kerry Beagle. Australian Silky Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance. But Kerry Beagle requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
undefined
Australia
Ireland
Height Male:
23 - 26 cm
9 - 11 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Height Female:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
22 - 27 kg
48 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
22 - 27 kg
48 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
1 - 10
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
Silky Terrier, Sydney Silky
None
Colors Available:
blue/tan, grey/blue and cream.
Black and tan, blue mottling, white and tan
Coat:
long, straight and silky
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
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, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
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.

kerry beagleThe Kerry Beagle is an ancient dog breed, thought to go back as far as the 16th century and looked upon as one of the oldest of all the Irish dog breeds. The dog was introduced to Ireland by the Celts.

It is believed to have descended from the Old Southern Hound or Celtic Hounds.The Kerry Beagle was taken by Irish immigrants to America and is a foundation breed in the development of the  Coonhound for hunting and scenting.

The Kerry Beagle isn't recognized by the AKC but has been recognized by the Irish Kennel Club in 1991. It is still rare outside of Ireland and it hasn't been recognized by major kennel clubs.

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.

kerry beagle puppy - descriptionThe Kerry Beagle is a medium sized dog with a solid physique. He stands at about 56 – 61cm and weighs between 22 and 27kg. He has a broad head with drop ears. His eyes are large and deep set and are a yellow to brownish color, giving the dog an intelligent expression.

His coat is short and the most common color for this dog is black and tan, but you can also find tan and white or some blue mottling as well. He is a lean, muscled dog with a deep chest and legs which are slim and long, providing the dog with the ability to pick up speed on a hunt. The tail of the dog is long and slightly curved and carried level.

Temperament:

As a packhound this dog is a serious hunter. He may look aggressive as he goes after his prey but he is actually a calm, well-balanced, friendly dog who forms a strong, loving relationship with his human family.

He is also gentle and playful with children in the home and also gets on well with other dogs too. He is intelligent and will readily respond to training and socialization. It's a dog that just loves being outside, especially when there is something to do, such as playing ball games or going on a long walk.

He is alert and inquisitive and makes an excellent watchdog. A home with a good sized garden will be ideal for the Kerry Beagle, though it can be kept in small gardens in the city too, just so long as he is given the opportunity for daily exercise.

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.

kerry beagle dog - characteristicsThe Kerry Beagle may well be quite an aggressive dog when showing off his hunting skills, but when it comes to being around his human family, he softens up and becomes a gentle, loving friend.

He is an affectionate playmate for children and also gets on well with other dogs you may have in the home.

Your Kerry Beagle is alert, intelligent and active, and when you have one of them as a 4-legged family member, you'll discover what a wonderful, devoted companion he can be.

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.

kerry beagle puppies - health problemsIf your Kerry Beagle is ill or injured you need to get him to the vet for a full assessment. As a puppy he will also need certain vaccinations to protect him from some life-threatening illnesses as well as getting de-wormed.

Dental Health:

Bad smelling breath is a symptom that your pet's teeth need checking. If you're not sure how to maintain his teeth, make sure your Kerry Beagle has professional dental cleaning to ensure his gums and teeth are kept in a healthy state. Your vet will give you advise on how to watch for periodontal disease.

Fleas and Ticks:

In hot weather particularly, check your dog over for fleas and ticks and remove them.

Heartworm:

Heartworm is a fatal disease which which can affect your dog. Speak to your vet about treatments as living in a hot, wet area opens you pet up to bites from infected mosquitoes.

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.

Grooming:

kerry beagle dogs - caringBecause of the short coat of the Kerry Beagle, he is looked upon as a low maintenance dog. He doesn't shed very much, and simple grooming is required such as brushing the coat twice a week.

His nails will also need to be clipped, as left long, they can hook on things and rip your pet's flesh.

You will need to check his teeth and also check inside his ears. Dogs with floppy ears are more prone to infection in the ears and this can cause terrible pain for your pet.

Diet:

If you keep your Kerry Beagle as a hunting dog, you will know that active dogs like these have different dietary requirements to companion dogs.

All that activity requires top quality nutrition and a certain amount of calories. If you're buying dry kibble, make sure its the highest quality so that he doesn't require huge portions to satisfy him. Leading canine nutritionists recommend a hunting dog like this be fed a large meal once a day and preferably in the evening, after all the hunting action.

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. Kerry Beagle vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Kerry Beagle vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Kerry Beagle vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Kerry Beagle vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Kerry Beagle vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Kerry Beagle vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Kerry Beagle vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Kerry Beagle vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Kerry Beagle vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Kerry Beagle vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Kerry Beagle vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Kerry Beagle vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Kerry Beagle vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Kerry Beagle vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Kerry Beagle vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Kerry Beagle vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Kerry Beagle vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Kerry Beagle vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Kerry Beagle vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Kerry Beagle vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Kerry Beagle vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Kerry Beagle vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Kerry Beagle vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Kerry Beagle vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Kerry Beagle vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison