
Silkin Breed Information & Characteristics
Hypoallergenic
Are Silkins Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, the Silkin is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.
Temperament
What is a Silkin personality? What are Silkin dogs best known for?
Playful
Loving
Independent
Alert
Intelligent
Friendly
Responsive
Loyal
Quick
Joyful
Inquisitive
Shedding Level
Are Silkins heavy shedders? How Much Does a Silkin Shed?
Silkin dogs are low shedders. The coat sheds an average amount and doesn't require much care.
Watchdog Ability
What is the watchdog ability of a Silkin dog?
The Silkin breed is one of the worst choice if you want a good watchdog.
Ancestry
What are Silkins descended from?
Silky Terrier, Japanese Chin
Breed recognition
What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Silkin breed?
ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club
DBR = Designer Breed Registry
DDKC = Designer Dogs Kennel Club
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry®
Date of Birth
When were Silkins first bred? How old is the Silkin breed?
Unknown
Eye Color Possibilites
What color are Silkin eyes?
Brown
Nose Color Possibilites
What color can Silkin nose be naturally?
Black
Brown
Coat Color Possibilites
What color can Silkin coat be naturally?
Black
Brown
White
Cream
Coat Length
How long is a Silkins coat?
The coat of a Silkin falls in the medium length category.
Coat Density
How Dense Is The Silkin Coat?
Coat Texture
What is the texture of the hair of a Silkin?
Straight
Litter Size
How many puppies can a Silkin have in a litter? How many puppies can a Silkin have in her first litter?
A Silkin can have a litter of 3-5 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.
Adaptability
The adaptability of Silkin dogs is a well-known trait, they are known for being able to adjust well to different living environments and lifestyle changes.
Health Issues
Do Silkins have a lot of health problems?
The Silkin is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.
Major Concerns
What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Silkin?
Ear Infections
Patellar Luxation
Cataracts
Diabetes
Minor Concerns
What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Silkins?
Hip Dysplasia
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Heart Murmur
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Occasional Tests
What are the occasional tests recommended for Silkin breed?
Physical Examination
Blood Count
X-rays or other radiographic imaging
Eye and Ear Examination
Energy
Do Silkins have a lot of energy?
For those who lead a balanced lifestyle, Silkins may be a good choice as they have an average energy level.
Social Needs
Do Silkins need socialization? How social are Silkins?
Silkin have very high social needs. These needs include regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship. They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.
Exercise Needed
How much exercise should Silkins get?
The Silkin is a breed that requires minimal physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Sleeping Need
How much sleep should a Silkin have? Do Silkins sleep a lot?
The Silkin breed is known for their relaxed and calm nature and tendency to sleep for long periods of time.
Tendency to Bark
How much does it bark?
Silkins are known to bark very little or not at all. They tend to be very quiet and do not bark excessively. They may only bark in specific situations, such as when they need to alert their owner to something important or when they are in distress.
Mouthiness
Are Silkins mouthy?
Roaming urge
What is the likelihood of a Silkin running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?
Prey Drive
Do Silkin dogs have a high prey drive?
Activity Level
What is the energy level of a Silkin? How much energy does a Silkin have?
Silkins are low-energy dogs. This breed make a great companion for a relatively inactive person. Silkin dogs require a few short daily walks, and then they're happy snuggling next to you for the rest of the day.
Tolerance of being left alone
Walks per Week
How far should a Silkin walk each week? How many miles should a Silkin walk every week?
There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Silkin, it's at least 7 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.
Activity per Day
How much a Silkin should exercise a day? How much activity does a Silkin need?
In general most Silkins usually need at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.
Grooming
What level of grooming should be provided for a Silkin?
The Silkin is a breed of dog that requires a significant amount of grooming. They will also require regular trims, and a professional groomer's help is often necessary to keep their coat in good condition. They may also need regular baths to maintain their coat and skin.
Brushing Frequency
How often should you brush a Silkin?
Ideally, Silkin should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.
Brushing Tools
What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Silkins?
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper
Cups
How many cups of food does a Silkin eat?
For an average 8-11 pound (4 - 5 kg) Silkin feed 1.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.
Daily Cost
How Much Does a Silkin Cost Daily?
The average cost of a Silkin is somewhere $1.10 - $1.40 per day.
Monthly Cost
How Much Does a Silkin Cost Per Month?
The average per month expenses of a Silkin is between $28 - $42. This makes an average of $336 - $504 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.
Intelligence
How intelligent is a Silkin?
Silkins has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The Silkin is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.
Sensitivity Level
How sensitive is a Silkin dog?
This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.
Affection Dependance
Are Silkin dogs affectionate?
Apartment Friendly
Do Silkin do well in apartments? Are Silkins good indoor dogs?
Silkins are known for being excellent apartment dogs. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.
Child Friendly
Are Silkins good with kids? Are Silkins good around children?
Silkins are average friendly dogs towards children.
Senior-friendly
Are Silkins good for elderly?
Cat Friendly
Are Silkins good with cats? How friendly Silkins are toward cats?
Silkins are one of the best dogs for cats. They're accept cats readily as part of the family. However, this dog breed should be trained to not chase after the kitty early on
Dog Friendly
Do Silkin dogs get along with other dogs? Are Silkins OK with other dogs?
Silkins are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.
Pet friendly
How do Silkin dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?
Stranger Friendly
Are Silkins friendly with strangers?
Silkins are friendly dogs and won't commonly bark at strangers. However, if you wish to change this, training them is easy. With their intelligence, teaching this breed to do anything is pretty simple.
Playfulness
Do Silkins like to play? Are Silkins playful?
The Silkin is a playful dog. So, no matter how busy the day may get, the best thing you can do for your Silkin is to make time each day to play. It can be as little as 15-20 minutes, and it will mean the world to them.
Trainability
Are Silkin easily trained?
Silkin dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.
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