Silky Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison

Bull and Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Silky Terrier is originated from Australia. Bull and Terrier may grow 24 cm / 10 inches higher than Silky Terrier. Bull and Terrier may weigh 17 kg / 38 pounds more than Silky Terrier. Both Bull and Terrier and Silky Terrier has same life span. Bull and Terrier may have more litter size than Silky Terrier. Bull and Terrier requires Low Maintenance. But Silky Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Toy dog
undefined
United Kingdom
Australia
Height Male:
38 - 50 cm
14 - 20 inches
21 - 26 cm
8 - 11 inches
Height Female:
36 - 50 cm
14 - 20 inches
21 - 26 cm
8 - 11 inches
Weight Male:
11 - 22 kg
24 - 49 pounds
4 - 5 kg
8 - 12 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 22 kg
19 - 49 pounds
4 - 5 kg
8 - 12 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
11 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 9
3 - 5
Size:
Medium
Toy
Other Names:
Bull & Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier
Silky Toy Terrier, Australian Silky Terrier
Colors Available:
White, fawn, tan or brindle
Tan and silvery grey
Coat:
Short and smooth
Long, straight and silky
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
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

The Bull and Terrier is a blend between a number of Old English Terriers and the Old English Bulldog. It is believed that this extinct dog was the start of breeds such as the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

They were excellent for hunting rats and weren’t a true breed. The dog was popular in the British Isles and in the United States in the 19th Century. They became rare as different varieties of Bull and Terrier were bred and standardized.

Most terriers have a good deal of Old English Bulldog blood in them so as to provide them with the courage to fight and hunt prey, while the English Terrier blood provided a feisty temperament and longer legs for speed.

Around 1860, the Bull and Terrier breed split into 2 categories – the pure white Bull Terrier and the ones of color. The Bull and Terrier was never recognized as a standardized breed by any of the kennel clubs.

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

There isn’t too much detail and information on the Bull and Terrier but we can be sure that with the cross between the Old English Bulldog and the Old English Terrier, he would have been a small to medium sized compact, muscular dog, standing roughly between 38cm to 50cm in height and weighing anything in the region of 11 to 22kg.

He would have had a big head, and most of the dogs had a medium to long tail. His coat was of many colors such as white, fawn, tan or brindle and would have been short and smooth.

As far as temperament goes, the Bull and Terrier would certainly be courageous, feisty, independent, strong and energetic. Socialization wasn’t available in those days but with training, this intelligent breed would be affectionate with his human family.

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

Nobody seems to be 100% sure when the classic Bull and Terrier dog became extinct but it is strongly assumed that it was some time between 1890 and 1920.

People believe that there are actually surviving breeds that could be considered Bull and Terriers. One thing is sure, when you consider that the Bull and Terrier is actually made up of several breeds such as the Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier then you can imagine the character of the dog – brave, hardy, intelligent, feisty, bold, confident and fearless. He was a dog who loved his human family and would have been both friend and protector.

These dogs have been popular around the world, and have had a strong influence in the development of a number of other breeds. Even today, breeders are always looking at ways to develop new breeds based on the descendants of the Bull and Terrier.

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

The Bull and Terrier was no doubt a robust breed with few health issues. However his owners of that time would have had to be aware of eye diseases such as cataracts that could have lead to blindness.

Other health issues they would have had to contend with would have been hip and elbow dysplasia, a disease which can cause lameness in a dog accompanied with pain. Because the Bull and terrier was mixed with the English Bulldog, the dog owners would have had to be aware of respiratory health problems, as the Bull dog is a breed that is susceptible to these problems.

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

Grooming:

Long ago the Bull and Terrier was developed to be a hunting dog, and because he was a blend of the English Bulldog and Terriers such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and English Terrier, he no doubt had a short coat that would have required being brushed down from time to time.

Diet:

The Bull and Terrier dog was bred for hunting, and he would have in all likelihood have caught some of his own food. He would therefore have got a lot of protein in. His owners would also have fed him some of their own food too which would have been eggs, home-made bread, rice, fresh vegetables and meat.

He would have had a good quota of raw meat in his diet too and this would have ensured that his coat was shiny and glossy, free of rashes. Dogs such as the Bull and Terrier wouldn’t have eaten commercially produced kibble as that was only introduced in the 1930s.

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