Silky Terrier vs Posavac Hound - Breed Comparison

The Posavac Hound originates from Croatia and is believed to have descended from the Molossian.

The name Posavac Houndare or Posavac Hound was a name bandied about and the name was officially recognized in 1969 by the Federation Cynologique Internationale.

The dog was categorized as a Scent hound. The breed is unrecognised by any of the UK or US 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.

Although the Posavac Hound is a rare dog breed, people who have owned the dog say it should be far better known as it is a gem of a dog.

The Possie as he is fondly referred to as, is a solidly built dog resembling the Beagle. He stands at between 43 - 59 cm and weighs 16 - 20 kg.

He has long, floppy ears and a kind, gentle expression on his face. The coat is short and smooth, being slightly longer on the stomach and around the back of the legs. The coat color is a wheaten, cream shade. He has bright brown eyes and a long tail, often with a white tip.

Temperament:

The Posavac may look gentle, but in character he is happy and enthusiastic. He makes the most wonderfully faithful, loving dog. He likes to be busy too, game for all kinds of activities but he is intelligent as well. He responds well to training and socialization.

People who have owned this dog say he has a truly amazing temperament, being eager to please his human owner. You’ll find him getting along well with children and other pets in the home.

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.

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.

People who have kept the Posavac as a pet say he has wonderful features which make him a sought after canine friend.

He has always been a working dog and he is confident and assured, independent, social and friendly. He makes a great friend of children and gets on well with other pets in the house.

He thrives on activities and doesn't want to be left to just lie around ignored. He becomes frustrated and destructive. It wont be the dogs fault but the owners. If you're looking for a lively, friendly, loving dog, you’ll find the Posavac a great addition to your home.

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.

You won’t find many health disorders linked to this lovely dog. He can reach 11 – 14 years of age fairly easily if well taken care of. Of course, his floppy ears pose a bit of a problem.

It is quite difficult to keep the inside of the ears dry and clean, and this means dirt, wax and moisture can cause bacteria and ear infections.

Because he is also a deep chested dog, he can be prone to bloat. Bloat is when gas collects in the stomach and it twists. You will notice your pet’s abdomen swollen and hard. He will require immediate veterinary attention.

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.

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.

Exercise:

Your Posavac Hound is going to need lots of exercise. He’s used to being a working dog and being kept busy. A good walk will delight him, but it won’t be enough. If you go cycling or riding on a horse, you can count him in to run alongside you. He will also plunge into the swimming pool with you.

While he can adapt to life in the city, he is essentially a country living dog, loving to get outside and be active.

Grooming:

Because of the short, smooth coat, and being an average shedder, the Posavac will only require a brush twice a week, so he is fairly low maintenance in terms of grooming.

Check for signs of an ear infection – redness inside the ear and your pet scratching at his ear can be signs,

Trim his nails.

Check inside his mouth for teeth problems. Bad teeth can create a host of problems.

Diet:

Provide your dog with an excellent diet. It needs to be nutritious food if you’re going with a commercially manufactured dog food. High quality dry kibble can be excellet for your pet, but break the monotony by mixing in some home made food occasionally. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, swee pototatoes, carrots and spinach, al chopped up and mixed in twice week with the drykibble can be awaited twice a week with yur pet. Raw meat added in sometimes can also contibute to your pets health. Feeding a dog doesnt have to be complicated. Dos thrive on consistency and simplicity and this diet will have him healthy ad hapy Make sure he always has a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.

●Grooming:

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.

● 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.