PetzloverCao de Fila da Terceira is originated from Portugal but Silky Terrier is originated from Australia. Cao de Fila da Terceira may grow 31 cm / 13 inches higher than Silky Terrier. Cao de Fila da Terceira may weigh 75 kg / 166 pounds more than Silky Terrier. Both Cao de Fila da Terceira and Silky Terrier has almost same life span. Cao de Fila da Terceira may have more litter size than Silky Terrier. Cao de Fila da Terceira requires Low Maintenance. But Silky Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance
The Cao de Fila da Terceira Mastiff hails from Portugal and is also known as the Rabo Torto.The dog actually comes from the isle of Terceira in the Azores. The dog descends from mastiffs, bulldogs and local dogs.
It was in the 1960s that there was an attempt to revive the dwindling numbers of the breed. The dog was declared extinct in the 1970s but there were some people in the Azores who wanted to see the breed restored, and it remains a mystery as to if the dog is in fact still available. The breed isn’t recognized by kennel clubs.
It 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.
The Cao de Fila da Terceira is a medium sized molosser, recognized by his weird tail – short and twirled. In fact, the dog’s other name, Rabo Torto, actually stands for ‘twisted tail’, which is a trademark of this dog and which is thought to come from the mix of bulldog in him.
The dog’s coat is short and smooth and the color is usually fawn or yellow while other colors such as brindle, red or black are also available but less acceptable. You may also find small white markings on the chest and feet.
Standing at about 55cm, the dog is muscular and powerful with a broad head, medium sized floppy ears, wide chest and strong muzzle.
The Cao de Fila da Terceira is a good guard dog and while he doesn’t like strangers, he is a dog who is loving and devoted with his human family. See that he gets socialized and trained and he is capable of establishing a deep relationship with all members of the family, children and other pets included. He relies on his owners to provide him with warmth and communication.
This 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.
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.
If only dog owners would realize that when it comes to a dog’s characteristics, that while there are some traits inherent in a dog, essentially it’s a case of you reap what you sow with a dog. Treat your dog badly, ignore him and abuse him and you get an aggressive, volatile dog who is a threat to the very humans who created the monster in him.
The Cão de Fila da Terceira will certainly need excellent training and socialization, and when he receives plenty of loving attention from his human family he becomes an amazing, relaxed pet. He becomes patient and sweet-tempered so that you can ultimately call him guardian and friend.
The 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.
The Cão de Fila da Terceira is a healthy dog breed, but even so, you need to be looking out for some ailments which can threaten the comfort and wellbeing of any dog.
This can often be brought about by the wrong diet. When you see your pet battling to clear out the bowels, it can often be rectified by altering your dog’s diet. Speak to your vet if it continues. Your vet may suggest adding some form of nutritious oil to your pet’s diet.
Dogs can also suffer from heart disease, especially when there is an obstruction to the flow of blood to the brain which can cause your pet to collapse. Veterinary attention must be sought without delay.
Frequent passing of water can be indicative of a kidney problem. Veterinary advice will be needed.
Just 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.
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.
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.
Companionship is important for the Cao de Fila da Terceira, and if you don’t have another dog in the home, as a pack animal, your dog will rely on you for being an active part of his life. A dog that is well treated becomes thoroughly loyal to his owner.
A balanced diet is important for health and for a shiny coat. If you’re unsure of how to feed your Terceira, speak to your veterinarian first. Your vet will know that protein for instance, is essential for your dog. The vet will also speak to you about how to feed a puppy, an adult dog, a pregnant female dog and also feeding your senior dog. Your vet will also explain the hazards of overfeeding and how raw meat also needs to be included in your pet’s diet.
Fresh, cool water is your pet’s life-blood and should be available to your dog night and day. Every dog can benefit too from taking a daily supplement rich in omega-3 fatty acid.
The grooming of your pet will depend on the breed. The Cão de Fila da Terceira has a short coat so he will be easy to maintain. Brush him twice a week to remove loose hairs.
Areas which also need checking daily are the eyes to see that there is no discharge. It is also important to inspect the ears as there should be no build-up of wax inside the ear. Toenails also need attention and should be clipped if they grow long from the pet not walking on hard surfaces.
You 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.
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.