A hybrid breed between Australian and Yorkshire Terriers, the Silky Terrier is your unassuming best friend who cleans up well. This breed is a down-to-earth terrier but dressed in its Sunday best. The breed’s namesake fur is silky, straight, and sometimes described as human-like. Its multi-colored pattern ranges from a tan-to-brown and blue-to-black color combination. A hearty if toy-sized breed that typically isn’t afraid of unfamiliar situations, it’s no wonder that the Silky Terrier is one of the most popular dog breeds among people looking for a travel companion.
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Size and Travel Options
Standing at 9-10 inches tall and weighing about 10 pounds, the Silky Terrier is just a little longer than taller—making its overall size and frame just about perfect for traveling in an airline-approved pet carrier. We do strongly recommend a soft-sided carrier to maximize the travel space. To be 100% sure that size won’t be a travel issue for your pet, the Yorkshire Terrier is among the smallest of all dog breeds. (It must be noted, however, that Yorkies are notoriously stubborn.)
A Silky Terrier should also be fine on trains, on subways, in taxis, and most types of travel and transportation that are pet-friendly. They are not especially fragile, nor are they especially prone to fits of barking.
Personality as a Travel Companion
These are social pets who like lots of attention and a good amount of exercise. They’re lively without being yappy. They’re not especially prone to separation anxiety, but they will act out in undesirable ways if neglected for too long. These are great pets to bring along with you when traveling for the holidays where other friends and family can keep them entertained. Business travelers might want to think about hiring a dog-sitting service for weeklong conferences and training sessions. Like other terriers, the Silky has a strong prey drive. This makes for effective home pest control and for travelers who frequently stay in hotels that may have pests. By the same token, you’ll want to make sure your niece’s and nephew’s birds, hamsters, and reptiles are secure in their cages.
The Silky Terrier’s beautiful coat will need regular grooming attention, but short daily sessions or semiweekly brushing with an occasional trip to the groomer should be adequate to keep the dog looking good and feeling comfortable. This is also the time to be on the lookout for any signs of skin, ear, or eye troubles.
Health and Longevity
While the Silky Terrier shares many of the same health vulnerabilities as other dog breeds, including patellar luxation, skin disorders, and eye disease, this is generally a very healthy dog especially for toy-sized breeds. It has a life expectancy of about 13-15 years. Rare genetic conditions can be easily screened for by breeders and adoption centers. Regular vet visits are recommended as always, but often no follow-up veterinary care is needed for most of the dog’s adult life.
Silky Terrier Breeders and Adoption Centers
In addition to ensuring a healthy puppy with strong pedigree, the most common reason to work with a reputable breeder when considering a Silky Terrier for your next travel companion is that issue of size. You don’t want a mostly Australian Terrier breed mix that grow too big for an airline-approved carrier when it reaches adulthood. A popular breed and breed-mix, you can find these dogs for around $300 at many adoption centers or between $800-$3,500 from a breeder. The average cost for a healthy Silky Terrier puppy is typically around $1,000-$1,500, which is mostly in line with other toy-sized breeds.