Yorkie vs Silky Terrier: They Look Almost Identical… So What’s The Difference?

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

You’ve probably heard of a Yorkshire Terrier. But what about their slightly larger cousin, the Silky Terrier?

At first glance, they look nearly identical — same silky coat, similar coloring, same polished appearance. But despite the similarities, these are two distinct breeds with differences that go beyond looks and into how they behave, how they’re cared for, and what it’s like to live with them day to day.

Start Here: Are Yorkies & Silky Terriers Basically The Same?

Yorkshire Terriers and Silky Terriers share a similar appearance, a similar size range, and even some common ancestry. The differences between the two breeds are subtle, but they show up in ways that can affect daily life, from how these dogs interact with people to grooming, exercise, and overall care.

Why These Dogs Look So Similar

Yorkshire Terriers and Silky Terriers didn’t just end up looking alike by coincidence. Their histories are closely connected.

The Yorkshire Terrier originated in 19th-century England, where they were bred from small working terriers to hunt rats in mills and mines. Over time, they transitioned from skilled vermin hunters to popular companion dogs, known for their long, silky coats and small size.

The Silky Terrier was developed later in Australia in the early 20th century, using Yorkshire Terriers and Australian Terriers. Breeders aimed to create a dog that kept the Yorkie’s refined appearance but with a slightly larger, sturdier build.

Because the Silky Terrier was developed using Yorkies as part of its foundation, the resemblance is not surprising. They share similar coat types, coloring, and overall structure.

Appearance

Comparing the Silky Terrier vs. the Yorkie’s appearance can be a challenge because they are difficult to tell apart. The Silky Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier are very similar in appearance. The Yorkie looks like the daintier version of the Silky. According to breed standards, the Silky measures between 9 to 10 inches. They weigh around 10 pounds, although they can be bigger than this. The smaller Yorkie officially measures between 7 and 8 inches tall. Yorkies weigh around 7 pounds, but they are also known to be smaller.

The Silky tends to have a squarer face than the Yorkie. Yorkies have more of a domed-shaped skull, with bigger eyes, and a slightly bigger nose. The Yorkie has button-like features and much smaller eyes. While these features are not instantly obvious, those that are looking for differences can quickly make the distinction.

The most instantly obvious appearance difference between the breeds is their ears. The Silky’s ears are pointy V-shaped ears that are set high on his head. This gives the appearance that they are much larger. The Yorkie’s ears are a little smaller. They are set slightly further down the side of his head, giving them a smaller appearance. The Yorkie’s ears also typically get covered by his long hair.

They both have the same long and silky coat. Their coats are often tied up above their eyes if they sport a natural coat. They also share similar colorings, with black and tan being the most common color of them both. However, according to breed standards, the Yorkie only has 4 recorded coat colors, whereas the Silky has 13 color variations.

Temperament

Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Silky Terrier are toy dog breeds. They are beautiful and somewhat elegant in their demeanor. Their true Terrier characteristics shine through making them both feisty and playful. There are slight differences in their temperaments.

The Silky is much more curious than the Yorkie. The Yorkie could easily laze about with his master for most of the day, enjoying the luxury of his lap. Silky Terriers are much more restless. Remember, that bored Terriers are destructive Terriers. This means you’d do well to invest in a variety of toys to keep their minds occupied.

The Silky is also much more independent. This means they can be left alone for long periods of time without feeling overly anxious. Yorkies are more likely to suffer from separation anxiety. For this reason, it is a great idea to crate train both breeds to alleviate any type of anxious behavior.

Because the Yorkie is super tiny, some argue that he is not a suitable pet for families with small children, because they often treat him as they would their cuddly toy. However, we say that this is down to personal preference, and whatever you decide just be sure to supervise children and dogs when they are around each other.

Other household pets are hit and miss with both the Yorkie and the Silky. Good luck if there are pet rodents in the house, given their ratting background! However, if they are socialized well as pups and the other animal is bigger than them, they might not feel threatened. Again, this is down to personal preference. Just be sure to have a controlled pre-meet with all household pets before you commit to anything.

Exercise

The Silky Terrier needs slightly more exercise than the Yorkshire Terrier. This is often another deciding factor between the two breeds. Silkies are more curious, as described above. Silkies need around 45 minutes of exercise every day in order to keep their minds and bodies happy. The Yorkie only needs around 20 to 30 minutes of exercise every day.

Whilst this might not seem like a lot, it can be the difference between an inactive and active family. If you and your family are a little more energetic then you may prefer the Silky over the Yorkie. The Yorkie tends to tire quicker. If you are after a house dog, then the Yorkie might make a better option for you.

Being more curious the Silky would also prefer a variety in his exercise routine. The Yorkie would be happy with neighborhood walks and a little romp in the garden. The Silky would make a great running partner and would enjoy playing interactive games such as fetch and tug of war. They also make great participants in agility courses.

You can be sure that if you have a garden both breeds will make the most out of it, however as a word of warning, make sure that your garden fencing is reinforced and high. If they catch sight of a mouse, or cat for that matter, they will be off quicker than anything, particularly the Silky! Just watch out and make sure they don’t eat a mouse or little critter while you aren’t paying attention!

Training

The Yorkshire Terrier tends to be more protective over his master, mainly because he is more of an anxious pup, compared to the Silky Terrier who is generally more easy-going and too busy chasing the squirrels. The key to limiting protective behaviors is socializing them both well as a pup, in a variety of unfamiliar situations with animals of all shapes and sizes, and ensuring that such protective behaviors are discouraged.

The Silky is a little easier to train, as he is more reward-focused and eager to learn compared to the Yorkie. If the Yorkie is not in the mood for a training session, you can be sure that he will not be participating in the training session. End of!

Remembering that both breeds would benefit from having a crate in their house, particularly the more anxious Yorkshire Terrier, you will find much use from crate training them both as a puppy. Certain crates that are made for anxious dogs can help calm your pup.

Health

When comparing the Silky Terrier vs. the Yorkie when it comes to health, both the Silky Terrier and the Yorkshire Terrier can live up to the age of 15 years. Diabetes and hypoglycemia are common in smaller dogs such as these, which we will discuss further in the nutrition section as a good feeding routine can help to balance sugar levels.

Both the Silky and the Yorkie are known to suffer from eye conditions and regular eye infections, so it is important to regularly check the condition of their eyes. Luxating Patella is a common issue in the Yorkie, which is essentially a dislocated kneecap, and something that breeders will check for before breeding their pups.

Nutrition

While comparing the Silky Terrier vs the Yorkie when it comes to food, you’ll likely find that the Yorkshire Terrier eats slightly less than the Silky Terrier simply because he is smaller and less energetic. The Yorkie will eat around 1 cup of food every day, compared to the Silky who will eat around 1 ½ cups every day. This is of course dependent on their size and energy levels, as well as age.

They would both do well on a high-quality diet that consists of dry kibble, as they are both known to suffer from periodontal diseases, and dry kibble pieces can help to break down plaque.

We already have a nutritional guide for the Yorkshire Terrier, and we are currently working on a specific nutritional guide for the Silky (although it won’t be too dissimilar, just feed him slightly more according to the instructions), but watch this space!

In regards to hypoglycemia, smaller dogs should be fed their daily food allowance across three or more different sittings, so to balance their sugar levels throughout the day.

Grooming

When comparing the grooming requirements of the Silky Terrier vs. the Yorkie, they are practically the same when it comes to their grooming needs. They will both need brushing most days to keep their beautiful silky locks from tangling and to brush out any dirt that they may have picked up on their walks.

Their eyes will need regular cleaning and their teeth should be brushed a few times a week with the correct doggy products. Both breeds should be bathed once every 8 to 12 weeks with all-natural dog shampoos to ensure that their beautiful silky locks are well cared for.

Both of these breeds are considered to be relatively hypoallergenic dogs. But, it is good to remember that no furry dog is completely non-allergenic, so if dog hair is a deal-breaker for you, you might want to look for a hairless dog.

Puppy Price

The cost of a Yorkshire Terrier starts from around $1,200 from a reputable breeder. The Silky Terrier starts from around $1,000. This is purely down to the fact that the Yorkie is more popular today, allowing breeders to charge more. But since Silky Terriers are more rare, you may find a higher price tag with that breed in your local area.

Other costs, such as insurance, crates, harnesses, etc., are all about the same. The only real price difference is the ½ cup of extra food that the Silky eats each day.

Final Thoughts

When comparing the Silky Terrier vs. the Yorkie, you’ve likely found that they are extremely similar. There are only a few differences between them, with the Silky being the most energetic out of the two, which is often the deciding factor for most families when it comes to deciding between the two breeds.

What you can be sure of, is that whoever you choose, you will find a spunky little toy Terrier on your hands, and he will be full of love, laughter, and fun.