10-25 lbs
7-10"
Unknown
The Silkshund is an intentional cross between the German badger hunting dog known as the Dachshund and the Silky Terrier, a companionable terrier that was initially developed in Australia. The result, also referred to as the Silky Doxie by the Designer Canine Registry, is a small, lively animal that is both intelligent and charming. As both parent breeds are vermin hunters, these small dogs have a serious prey drive and should never be allowed outside without a leash. Although they may have a greater tendency to bark than some breeds, with consistent early training these little canines are equally at home in a larger house or in an apartment.
The Silkshund is a designer dog, the intentional cross between two very small canines, the Dachshund, a badger hunting dog from Germany, and a small companion animal from Australia with a talent for hunting rats and snakes, the Silky Terrier. The Dachshund was first developed at some point prior to the 1400s in Germany in order to eradicate vermin, primarily fox and badger. This dog had to be brave enough to chase after animals that were often larger than it was, small enough to fit in underground dens and tunnels, and tough enough to dispatch its quarry once it caught it. Refinements in the breed were continued by German foresters and farmers, and additional traits were encouraged such as a deep chest for added stamina, large, paddle-shaped paws that increase their digging power, and a long, sturdy tail to make it easier for hunters to pull the dogs from burrows. The first Dachshund clubs formed in the late 1800s and these spunky little dogs had become one of the top ten most popular breeds in the United States in 1914. Around the same time that the Dachshund clubs were forming, Yorkshire Terriers were first being introduced to Austrailia in order to improve the coat of the slightly larger Austrailian Terrier. The result of this combination was the Silky Terrier, also commonly known as the Sydney Terrier, first recognized as its own breed in 1906 in New South Wales. There was a great deal of variation between individual Silky Terriers at that time, particularly in regards to weights and ear confirmations, partially due to the intermixing of Yorkshire, Australian, and Silky terriers that continued even after the comprehensive breed standard was written in 1926. In 1932, the Kennel Control Council of Victoria introduced legislation that barred further crossbreeding of the three terrier breeds. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club 1959, at the same time as the breed standard was revised to further reduce the weight range from six to twelve pounds down to eight to ten pounds. Despite their tiny size, these dogs are well known for handily dispatching both rats and snakes when the need arises.
This hybrid is a small canine with a fairly long back and short legs with a flat, wedge-shaped or tapering skull and a relatively long muzzle, sometimes with a slight arch that is characteristic of the Dachshund breed. Those Silkshunds that more closely resemble the Dachshund have a longer back and shorter legs than those that favor their Silky Terrier heritage, and all of them have thick, strong necks. The almond-shaped eyes of this crossbreed are typically dark, with dark rims and a keen and energetic expression, and their ears can range anywhere from the small, triangular ears of the Silky Terrier to the longer drop ears of the Dachshund. The coats of the Dachshund and the Silky Terrier are quite different from one another and your Silkshund could inherit the short, soft, double layered coat of Dachshund breed, the long, silky, single layered coat that is characteristic of the Silky Terrier, or anything in between.
The grooming requirements for this little dog may vary quite a bit, due to the coat differences between the two parent breeds, but neither is particularly difficult or time-consuming to care for. Silkshund hybrids that have a coat that more closely resembles the Silky Terrier don’t typically shed much and may even be considered hypoallergenic by many, and while they do require more frequent bathing than those with the short, soft Dachshund coat, brushing and combing are only needed a few times a week in order to ensure that the hair doesn’t tangle. Those that inherit the shorter, double-layered coat of the Dachshund will only require bathing a few times a year, but will still require brushing with a slicker brush or grooming glove once or twice a week to remove shed hairs and to keep the coat healthy and shiny. Silkshunds with Dachshund-like coats tend to shed more and are less likely to be hypoallergenic.
The Silkshund is a charming and lively little dog who is both mentally agile and brave. They are happiest when they are with their family and can be quite loyal, and while they get along well with older children and adults, they are not always the best choice for families with small children due to both their fragility and their tendency to display jealous or possessive behaviors. This little canine has a not-so-little prey drive and should never be allowed off leash outside unless they are closely supervised in a fenced-in area. Supervision is absolutely needed even in a fenced yard as the Dachshund is uniquely designed for efficient digging and the Silky Terrier not only digs but also climbs. While Dachshunds get along well with other Dachshunds, they are not as social with other dogs, and the Silky Terrier is also known to be a bit bossy and scrappy with other canines. Early socialization and training can help to curb these tendencies as well as preventing timid or suspicious behaviors with strangers and over vocalization.
Although these little dogs are quite small they are also energetic and may require more exercise than many other dogs their size. They are usually satisfied with between forty-five and sixty minutes of vigorous activity per day, typically broken up into several shorter sessions throughout the day. Along with brisk walks around the neighborhood or in nearby parks, the Silkshund may also also enjoy activities like agility training, earth dog trials, advanced obedience or trick training. Due to their small size they can even get a great deal of exercise by playing games like fetch and hide and seek in your house or apartment.
Written by a Irish Setter lover Penny Sebring
Published: 12/13/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
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