French Spaniel vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

French Spaniel vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed ComparisonFrench Spaniel is originated from France but Australian Silky Terrier is originated from Australia. French Spaniel may grow 37 cm / 15 inches higher than Australian Silky Terrier. French Spaniel may weigh 16 kg / 36 pounds more than Australian Silky Terrier. French Spaniel may live 3 years less than Australian Silky Terrier. French Spaniel may have more litter size than Australian Silky Terrier. Both French Spaniel and Australian Silky Terrier requires Moderate maintenance.

History

french spaniel - historyDeveloped in France and then in Canada, the French Spaniel is a descendent of 14th century hunting dogs. Originally the breed was very popular with the French royalty and nobility at the Court of Versailles, in the Middle Ages. A French Spaniel named Babe was owned by Catherine I of Russia.

Spaniels were mentioned in Gaston III of Foix-Beams’ The Master of the Game, or Livre de Chasse, in 14th Century France. Most believed that Spaniels had been developed during the 11th century Crusades. By 1650 the French Spaniel was differentiated from the King Charles Spaniel and determined to be its own type of spaniel.

In 1805, they were featured in the Sporting Magazine, hunting mallards. The French Spaniel was crossed with English Setters in the !850’s to develop the French Brittany (Spaniel). But by the end of the 19th century, hunting dogs from other countries were outpacing the French Spaniel so much that it was driven to the brink of extinction. Fortunately, a priest named Father Fournier saved the breed by taking all remaining Spaniels to his kennels at St. Hillarie and developing the lines we see in the breed today. This was followed by the founding of the French Spaniel Club in 1921. The various lines of the Spaniels included the French Spaniel of today, the Brittany of today, the Blue Picardy and the Picardy.

The French Spaniel however has been rare outside of its native country and Canada, where it was imported in the 1970’s to French speaking Quebec. Quebec Canadians fell in love with the breed for hunting grouse and woodcock. In order to ensure that the breed would be continued in line with its French standards, the Club de l’Epagneul Francais du Canada began in 1978. By 1985 the Canadian Kennel Club recognized the French Spaniel. Soon after they were recognized by the United Kennel Club, the Federation Cynoloqique Internationale, the UK Kennel Club and the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, but not the AKC (American Kennel Club). They are also registered with organizations such as the American Canine Association, the Dog Registry of America and the America’s Pet Registry. They have been included in the AKC Foundation Stock Service as the first step toward AKC recognition.

australian silky terrier - historyMany toy breeds have been bred for centuries and were kept as lap dogs and companion dogs. Known at first as ‘The Sydney Silk’ the Australian Silky Terrier originated in Australia, but before the 2nd World War, the Australian SilkyTerrier was all but unknown outside Australia.

The toy breed came about by crossing the Yorkshire Terrier and the Australian Terrier, but further crossings contributed to the silky coat and the small size we are familiar with today. Despite this little dog being classified in the Toy Group, this spunky dog has the ability to hunt and kill rodents.

Victorian and Tasmanian breeders claimed to be originators of the breed, so the official name, Australian Silky Terrier, was adopted in 1956. Since recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1955, the breed has enjoyed a solid build up of fans.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Toy dog
Origin:
France
Australia
Height Male:
56 - 63 cm
22 - 25 inches
23 - 26 cm
9 - 11 inches
Height Female:
54 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
10 - 22 kg
22 - 49 pounds
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
8 - 20 kg
17 - 45 pounds
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 10
3 - 5
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Epagneul Français French Setter Canadian Setter
Silky Terrier, Sydney Silky
Colors Available:
White with brown markings
blue/tan, grey/blue and cream.
Coat:
Straight, or slightly wavy and of medium length.
long, straight and silky
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Courageous, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Social
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

french spaniel puppy - descriptionThe French Spaniel is a very tall dog and as such is one of the spaniel breeds two tallest. They are taller than the English Springer Spaniel, have a deep chest and a muscular build. Their legs are very strong, and they have a thick tail that is never docked. It is long, slightly curved and hangs low. He is an elegant dog with dark amber eyes, long feathery ears, and a nose the color of the coat. If the coat is brown the nose is brown. If the coat is black and white the nose is black. Most French Spaniels are white with brown or dark liver or white with black.

Small but Spunky

australian silky terrier puppy - descriptionThis is a small breed with Loads of Spunk. The Silky terrier is somewhat longer than tall and height is around 23cm, with weight being about 4kg. He has an athletic build and although the bone structure is refined, the small dog has amazing strength and durability with a keen, alert face. Small but sturdily built, the dark, almond-shaped eyes don’t miss a thing as do the small, erect v-shaped ears.

Full of fun and packed with character, the Silky Terrier isn’t your regular lap dog as he is bold, active, feisty and playful- always ready for action. He can be aggressive toward strange pets but becomes amicable with other pets in the home. He is sharp and clever, and can be trained to be an absolute pleasure in the home and a playmate for children trained to be kind to animals.

They are loving and devoted to their human family and can be excellent watchdogs even though they can’t offer much protection.

The Coat – the most Distinctive Feature

Of course, the Silky Terrier gets his name from the sleek, silky coat that if allowed to grow, flows down from their backs to the floor. It is the dogs most distinctive feature. They come in several solid colors and mixes of colors too such as blue/tan, grey/blue and cream.

He’s Adaptable

The Silky is an adaptable dog and even though he is energetic and will needs daily physical and mental exercise, he can be a country or an apartment dog, but will require plenty of exercise and getting out and about.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

french spaniel dog - characteristicsYes, they are very good with children.

Special talents

They are great in filed trials as they can flush, point and retrieve.

Adaptability

The breed is very adaptable and can live in the city or in the country.

Learning ability

The breed is very intelligent and trainable.

Caution with Small Children

australian silky terrier dog - characteristicsSmall in stature but with a strong personality, the Australian Silky Terrier is a keen, intelligent, active, energetic and spunky breed. He is affectionate and loyal towards his human family, and although good with older children and other pets, he may not get on too well with small children and their erratic movements.

Training Required for his Wilful Nature

Don’t leave him alone for too long as he becomes anxious and destructive. He is an active dog too and while he will adapt to apartment living, he will need exercise and games to keep him active, fit, stimulated and healthy. Your Silky is an intelligent dog but he is stubborn too and proper socialization and training will be important for Silky Terriers, as then he becomes quite sociable.

A firm but gentle hand will be needed to train this wilful little dog, but when you show him who’s boss, he becomes your devoted and loyal friend.

Health Problems

french spaniel puppies - health problemsThe French Spaniel is a healthy breed that adapts well to all types of conditions, especially wet ones. There are some potentially serious health issues that the breed may be susceptible to:

Acral Mutilation and Analgesia

This is a very serious inherited disorder. It is one of many Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathies (HSN) disorders. This is an agonizing infliction that causes the dogs to have no pain in certain extremities and therefore the ability to self-mutilate their feet, pads, claws and digits. They lick and bite their feet often amputating footpads, claws, and digits without feeling any pain. This leads to infection and most dogs end up being euthanized. The disorder shows up by 3-4 months of age.

Ear Infections

Make sure the dog’s ears are cleaned regularly to remove wax and prevent infections.

Epilepsy

This disease causes seizures but can be treated with medication.

Hip dysplasia

Can cause lameness and arthritis.

Some Ailments to Look out For

australian silky terrier puppies - health problemsThe Australian Silky Terrier is generally healthy and he has a lifespan of 11 – 14 years. However he may suffer from some problems such as Legg-Perthes disease. This means degeneration of the head on the femur bone of the dog's hind leg, resulting is osteoarthritis. This ailment is commonly seen in miniature-, small and toy breeds and can result in lameness and pain.

Silky Terriers are also prone to certain eye disorders, including PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy as well as cataracts. PRA can lead to total blindness.

Vaccinating your Pet – what’s required?

Getting the right puppy shots and vaccinations is also part of good health care for your Silky and you can speak to your vet about what injections are due at 6 – 8 weeks of age and what booster vaccinations may be necessary.

Caring The Pet

Feed the puppy

french spaniel dogs - caringA high quality dry food made for puppies and if possible for Spaniels. Feed two to three times a day about one fourth of a cup each time

Feed the adult

A high quality adult dry food made for Spaniels if possible. Feed twice a day about one half to three fourths of a cup at each meal.

Points for Good Health

Excellent vision, stamina and speed.

Games and Exercises

These dog love to run and play. They are smart and learn easily. They like to chase balls, swim, play hide and seek, Find It, and go hiking. They can excel at learning tricks, agility, rally and obedience trials.

Regular Brushing of the Silky Hair

australian silky terrier dogs - caringThe long, straight coat of the Silky will need a fair amount of brushing each day. This dog is considered a hypoallergenic breed, and although he doesn’t shed a lot, the length of the hair will require regular brushing to get rid of loose hairs but also ensure there is no tangling of the hair. If the hair of the dog is kept long, he may require a bath every now and then to keep his hair silky and clean and to get rid of dirt build-up.

Nutrition and Diet

A healthy, nutritional diet is important for keeping your canine friend healthy and free from disease and unhealthy skin. To stay health your pet will require correct amounts of vitamins and minerals.

Dog food companies make different types of dog food such as dry, semi-moist, and moist and these are available for dogs of different ages, activity levels and stage of life. Speak to your vet about selecting a dog food that is right for your Australian Silky Terrier and always ensure a bowl of fresh water is available to him.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. French Spaniel vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  2. French Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  3. French Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. French Spaniel vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  5. French Spaniel vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  6. French Spaniel vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  7. French Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  8. French Spaniel vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  9. French Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  10. French Spaniel vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  11. French Spaniel vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  12. French Spaniel vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. French Spaniel vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  14. French Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  15. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  16. Lagotto Romagnolo vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  17. Shikoku vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  18. Slovakian Hound vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  19. Small Munsterlander vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  20. Sussex Spaniel vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  21. Kooikerhondje vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  22. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  23. West Siberian Laika vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  24. Wetterhoun vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  25. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  26. Pomeranian vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Maltese vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Pug vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Maltipoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  30. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Cockapoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Cavapoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Cavachon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Papillon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Japanese Chin vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature English Bulldog vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Bolognese vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Italian Greyhound vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Jug vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Pinscher vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  41. Dorgi vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Belgian Griffon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Carlin Pinscher vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Dorkie vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. German Spitz (Klein) vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Doxiepoo vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Bospin vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Bantam Bulldog vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Damchi vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  50. Lowchen vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds