Silkytie

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10-20 lbs
10-14"
United States
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Shetland Sheepdog
Silky Terrier
The Silkytie is a hybridization between the purebred Shetland Sheepdog of the United Kingdom and the Silky Terrier of Australia.  Its name may not immediately give away its parentage as some people may not recall the Shetland's nickname of Sheltie.  The appearance of the Silkytie may vary widely between dogs, depending on which parent the hybrid most resembles.  The wide variation makes it difficult to assign standards or accurately predict the health and character of the Silkytie based on the breed.  Silkytie owners can expect a loving disposition in a small-sized dog, but the energy levels may vary significantly.
Purpose
Companion
Date of Origin
Unknown
Ancestry
Shetland Sheepdog and Silky Terrier

Silkytie Health

Average Size
Male Silkytie size stats
Height: 10-14 inches Weight: 10-20 lbs
Female Silkytie size stats
Height: 10-14 inches Weight: 10-20 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve Perthes Disease
Minor Concerns
  • Cataracts
  • Allergies
  • Diabetes
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Epilepsy
  • Cushing’s Disease
Occasional Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Radiographs
  • Blood Sugar and Thyroid Tests

Silkytie Breed History

The Silkytie is a crossbred hybrid of the purebred Shetland Sheepdog and Silky Terrier.  Little is currently known of the Silkytie, beyond its parentage and the hybrid is not as popular as other designer dogs.  Owners who wish to understand better the Silkytie or who may be considering adopting one and want to know the possible character traits should review the respective histories of both breeds.  The Shetland Sheepdog, also known as the Sheltie, is a small rough Collie from the United Kingdom.  The Sheltie is a hearty Collie whose ancestors developed in the Shetland Islands to the north of Scotland, near the Arctic Circle.  These Arctic Circle dogs were known as Toonies, which was Norwegian for farm and described helped described the role of the breed as farm and sheepdogs.  In the 1800s, the Sheltie moved to Scotland and was bred with Border Collies as well as other small dogs to reduce its size and give it an even fluffier coat.  The Shetland was crossbred with so many breeds that the original look of the dog was fading and fanciers, determined to restore the breed, began the Shetland breeding program to restore and develop the standard.  Collies were reintroduced into the bloodlines as well as existing Shetlands to help restore the breed.  The Sheltie had its name officially changed from a Collie to the Sheepdog during the 20th Century because Collie fanciers were unhappy with the association between the two breeds and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1911.  Today, the Sheltie ranks high on the most popular dog list and is considered a wonderful companion dog. The Silky Terrier is an Australian breed developed in the late 1800s.  The Yorkshire Terrier was crossbred with Australian Terriers, and only puppies who adopted the Yorkie's silky looks were subsequently bred until the silky traits were predictable.  The Silky Terrier was originally designed as a vermin hunter but quickly shifted to companion due to its luxurious coats and lap dog disposition.  The Silky Terrier was established in a short time, and the first American Kennel Club registered Silky Terrier was in 1959.  Today, the Silky Terrier does not rank nearly as high in popularity as its Yorkie cousin, but this breed certainly has charm and popularity.              

Silkytie Breed Appearance

The Silkytie is a hybrid between the Shetland Sheepdog and the Silky Terrier and draws difference trait appearances from both parents.  The Silkytie is a small dog that is usually low to the ground with proportionate body features.  The Silkytie will usually have a medium sized muzzle with a black nose and deep, round, brown eyes.  The coat on the Silkytie may range from fine and silky, like the Silky Terrier parent or soft and fluffy, like the Sheltie parent and is medium in length.  The coat may have some hypoallergenic qualities as well.  The Silkytie's ears may prick up or fold over and are triangular shaped with long hair adorning them.  The tail on a Silkytie also varies, depending on which parent the dog most resembles and can be either short with a slight curl over the back or medium length and bushy.
Eye Color Possibilities
brown Silkytie eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Silkytie nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
fawn Silkytie coat
Fawn
red Silkytie coat
Red
brown Silkytie coat
Brown
white Silkytie coat
White
cream Silkytie coat
Cream
silver Silkytie coat
Silver
gray Silkytie coat
Gray
black Silkytie coat
Black
Coat Length
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
Silkytie straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Silkytie Breed Maintenance

The Silkytie may or may not be a heavy shedding dog.  The levels of shedding on the Silkytie are dependent on which parent the hybrid most resembles.  A silky soft and straight-coated dog will not shed as much as the fluffy-coated varieties.  No matter which parent breed the Silkytie's coat most resembles, weekly brushing will help reduce the amount of loose and dead hair from the coat.  The Silkytie has sensitive skin and may also develop allergies.  Because of this, owners should refrain from bathing the Silkytie, unless necessary and always use hypoallergenic shampoos.  The Silkytie is not prone to poor dentition, but weekly tooth brushing will significantly reduce the amount of tartar and plaque that may build up and lead to dental disease.
Brushes for Silkytie
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
Silkytie requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Silkytie Temperament

The Silkytie has a sweet, loving disposition.  One of the best Terrier traits seen in the Silkytie is its independence.  This is also augmented by the Sheltie's high tolerance for solitude.  These hybrids are low maintenance when it comes to their social needs, and they are always eager to please their people.  The Silkytie also make excellent companions for children, but they are small and may not be well-suited to younger children who may accidentally hurt them.  The Silkytie is curious about strangers and never timid or aggressive.  They also do very well with other dogs and pet, including cats.  When it comes to training, the Silkytie is an intelligent and eager hybrid but definitely needs the mental and physical stimulation to lead a healthy life.

Silkytie Activity Requirements

The Silkytie is a medium energy hybrid that is highly agile.  They have a quick step and are fast, given their small size.  Their speed and agility increase if they resemble the Sheltie and they will need additional mental stimulation to maintain a healthy mind.  A small house with a backyard is ideal for this hybrid, but they are capable of adapting to apartment living if they get plenty of exercise.  Their ideal environment also varies, depending on which parent breed the Silkytie most resembles.  Sheltie-like Silkyties are much more versatile and need outdoor activities.  They have a high tolerance for cold weather and enjoy being outside.  This disposition changes if the Silkytie resembles the Silky Terrier.  Silky Terrier-like hybrids will prefer the comfort of indoors and adapt very well to small space living.
Activity Level
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
8 miles
Minutes of Activity Per Day
30 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Silkytie

Similarly Sized Breeds to Silkytie

Silkytie Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
Daily Cost
$1.00 - $1.20
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00

Silkytie Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Silkytie size stats at six months
Height: 11.0 inches Weight: 14.0 lbs
Female Silkytie size stats at six months
Height: 11.0 inches Weight: 14.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Silkytie size stats at 12 months
Height: 12.0 inches Weight: 15.0 lbs
Female Silkytie size stats at 12 months
Height: 12.0 inches Weight: 15.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Silkytie size stats at 18 months
Height: 12.0 inches Weight: 15.0 lbs
Female Silkytie size stats at 18 months
Height: 12.0 inches Weight: 15.0 lbs
author-img

Written by Alyssa Watt

Published: 12/15/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

More articles by Alyssa Watt

Silkytie Owner Experiences

Jazzy
13 Years
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Absolutely love my silkytie she is the most loving loyal little pup, she gets along with all humans and all animals she has a bunny brother that she loves and also had a min pin brother and Italian grey hound sister who she grew up with for all her life until they passed at 16-15 she still has another Italian greyhound sister. Jazzy was very quick to train stays in home full reign of house not destructive at all and lives to cuddle with us but she also likes her alone time. I wish I could find another one just like her but I don’t see them around at all .
1 year, 3 months ago
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