Silky Tzu Dog Breed Information – All You Need To Know

The Silky Tzu is a mix of the Shih Tzu and the Silky Terrier. Both of these are beautiful canines, but they belong to different groups. The Silky Terrier is an extermination dog equipped with the skills to get rid of any small-sized pest. The Shih Tzu, on the other hand, is a royal companion dog.

With both of the parents in mind, you must be keenly interested in the potential growth for the Silky Tzu. Don’t worry; we won’t let your interest die down because the following paragraphs explain the Silky Tzu in grave detail.

Silky Tzu History

To understand the Silky Tzu, we have to look at it from the perspective of its parents. One of its parents, the Silky Terrier, is known for its hunting prowess. These canines were created after crossing the Australian Terrier with the Yorkshire Terrier. You can pin the period of their birth to the late 18^th Century. By adapting to the Australian wildlands, these canines became formidable at handling different pests like snakes and rats.

The Shih Tzu is a Chinese breed with a long and mercurial history. It rose from being a farm dog to a noble dog, a rare companion dog, and back to an average dog. These canines reached peak popularity during the reign of the Han Dynasty. Back then, the Shih Tzu was a sign of nobility and power. In contrast, the lowest point of the Silky Tzu was during the Chinese revolution, when droves of these canines were slaughtered.

Silky Tzu Characteristics

The Silky Tzu does not have any regular appearance patterns. There are a few things that both parents have in common, so the Silky Tzu is more likely to have them. Both parents have a medium-length coat; the Silky Tzu should have a medium-length coat as well. The Silky Tzu will also have a short and compact body. The muzzle of the Silky Tzu will be medium length. It will have Brown or amber-hued eyes, usually round in shape. The color variations for the Silky Tzu include Red, White, Black, Cream, Fawn, and Brown.

How Big do Silky Tzus Get

The Silky Tzu could be branded as one of the smallest canines. The male Silky Tzu is usually 6 to 8 inches tall, while the female Silky Tzu is 5 to 7 inches. The male Silky Tzu should weigh 8 to 13 lbs, while the female Silky Tzu should weigh 7 to 12 inches tall. You should maintain the weight with the right diet and exercise. More information about this has been given below.

How Long Does a Silky Tzu Live

The lifespan of the Silky Tzu is co-dependent on its lifestyle and genetics. If the Silky Tzu doesn’t have any congenital disabilities and gets a good lifestyle, it will live beyond 10 years of age. Some of the things you can do to increase its lifespan have been explained below.

How Much Does a Silky Tzu Cost

We don’t know how much the Silky Tzu will cost because there is no fixed market for this canine. However, if we want to standardize things, we can say the Silky Tzu will cost between $250 and $800. The price will depend on the credibility of your breeder and the health of your canine.

Silky Tzu Temperament/Personality

The Silky Tzu can clearly be labeled as people-friendly because its parents are social canines. Its coexistence with other animals is a bit concerning. Its Silky Terrier DNA may make it difficult for it to get along with other pets. If you socialize the Silky Tzu from a young age, it should be able to get along with various pets.

The Silky Tzu may have a slightly stubborn streak. Couple that with its independence, and you have a canine that loves doing whatever it pleases. If you want to train it without any problems, you will have to keep the training sessions interesting. If it’s your first time training a dog, you should get a Dog Training Book. It will make your dog training journey at least a few notches easier.  

Caring for a Silky Tzu

The following section explains the needs of your canine in detail. If it’s your first time getting a Silky Tzu, we highly recommend paying attention to this section to understand what you should be doing for your canine.

Silky Tzu Nutrition

The Silky Tzu is a little dog who requires one to one and a half cups of food per day. For small canines like the Silky Tzu, diet is all about quality over quantity. Some of the best dog food brands we know of are American Journey Dog Food and Nature’s Recipe Dog Food.

How to Groom a Silky Tzu

The density and length of the Silky Tzu’s coat will determine the effort the Silky Tzu’s grooming needs. Usually, we recommend that you brush its coat at least two to three times every week. Whenever brushing the Silky Tzu’s coat, remember to use an ergonomic and high-quality Dog Brush. Your little boo needs that luxurious treatment. You’ll need to bathe the coat once or twice a month. Trim its nails every two to three weeks.

Silky Tzu Activity Levels

The Silky Tzu needs at least 40 minutes of exercise every day to maintain its health. Limit their exposure to the sun during the midday hours. Try to take them out for walks in the mornings. You won’t regret the morning walks, and neither will your canine.

Caring for a Silky Tzu

The Silky Tzu happens to be a strong canine that loves its humans unconditionally. However, this undying love is akin to a double-edged sword. If the Silky Tzu is ignored or left alone for long periods, the Silky Tzu will become self-destructive and grumpy. You may find it tearing things apart or digging through your backyard.

To keep its negative feelings low, you should keep them close to yourself. You should also get a Dog Crate because these are similar to safe havens for canines. If they feel lonely or anxious, they will retreat to these crates to ease their fears. Additionally, do not leave it alone for long periods.

Silky Tzu Health

Due to its Shih Tzu genes, the Silky Tzu may inherit certain breathing problems like Brachycephalic Syndrome. At the same time, the Silky Tzu is also weak to conditions like Otitis Externa, Tracheal Collapse, and IVDD. Apart from these conditions, joint and eye conditions can affect your Silky Tzu.

The only way to save your canine from all of these conditions is to take it to the vet. You can’t identify some of these conditions with the naked eye. Therefore, you will have to rely on your vet to test it and diagnose it.

Breeds Similar to Silky Tzu

• Munsterlander
• Keeshond
• Afghan Hound
• Brussels Griffon
• Jack-A-Ranian

Recommended Reading:

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Sources:

• Wag-Walking
• Doggie-Designer