Breed comparison
Yorkshire Terrier vs Silky Terrier
Yorkies and Silkies look nearly identical — but they're separate breeds with real differences. Side-by-side guide to help you tell them apart.
Yorkshire Terrier
Full breed guide →Silky Terrier
Comparison breed
Quick answer
Yorkies and Silky Terriers look nearly identical but are separate breeds — the Silky was developed in Australia by crossing Yorkies with Australian Terriers. Silkies are slightly larger (8-10 lbs vs 4-7), slightly more outgoing, and slightly easier to groom. Both live 12-15 years with similar small-breed health concerns. Pick a Yorkie for the more recognizable breed and easier availability; pick a Silky for a sturdier, more confident version of the same look.
Stand a Yorkie next to a Silky Terrier with both in show coat and you'll struggle to tell them apart from across the room. Up close they're meaningfully different — the Silky was developed in Australia from Yorkshire Terrier and Australian Terrier crosses, and the result is a slightly larger, slightly less coat-intensive, slightly more outgoing version of the Yorkie. Both are wonderful small companions; the Silky just isn't nearly as famous.
Snapshot comparison
Trait
Yorkshire Terrier
Silky Terrier
Size
7–8 inches at the shoulder
9–10 inches at the shoulder
Weight
4–7 lbs
8–10 lbs
Lifespan
11–15 years
12–15 years
Energy
Moderate
Moderate to high
Grooming
High — daily brushing if in show coat
Moderate — daily brushing recommended
Best for
Excellent with adults, careful with toddlers
Best with adults and older children
Temperament
Yorkshire Terrier
Bold, vocal, confident. Yorkies have classic terrier opinions.
Silky Terrier
Bolder still in some ways — Silkies retain more Australian Terrier working drive. More outgoing with strangers, similar barking habit.
The verdict: Silkies are typically slightly more confident and outgoing; Yorkies are slightly more reserved.
Exercise
Yorkshire Terrier
20–30 minutes daily.
Silky Terrier
30–40 minutes daily — Silkies have slightly more energy and prefer more activity.
The verdict: Silkies want a bit more exercise; both fit apartment life.
Grooming
Yorkshire Terrier
High in show coat (daily), moderate in puppy cut.
Silky Terrier
Moderate. The Silky coat is slightly less dense and tangles less than a Yorkie coat in show length.
The verdict: Silkies are slightly easier to groom; Yorkies are more demanding in show coat.
Training
Yorkshire Terrier
Smart, food-motivated, stubborn.
Silky Terrier
Same — smart, food-motivated, slightly more independent.
The verdict: Comparable training approach.
Health
Yorkshire Terrier
Patella, tracheal collapse, dental disease, shunt.
Silky Terrier
Similar small-breed issues — patella, dental disease, Legg-Calvé-Perthes, epilepsy in some lines.
The verdict: Both share typical toy-breed concerns; both are long-lived (12–15 years).
Family fit
Yorkshire Terrier
Best with adults and respectful older kids.
Silky Terrier
Same — best with adults and older children.
The verdict: Comparable.
Which one should you pick?
Pick the Yorkshire Terrier
Pick a Yorkshire Terrier if you want the more recognizable, more available breed, and you're committed to coat care or fine with a puppy cut. Yorkies have a slightly more devoted velcro-dog temperament.
Pick the Silky Terrier
Pick a Silky Terrier if you want a slightly larger (still tiny), slightly less coat-intensive, more outgoing version of a Yorkie. Silkies are rarer in the US but easier to live with in some ways.
Frequently asked questions
How do you tell a Yorkie from a Silky Terrier?
Size and coat. Silkies are slightly larger (9–10 inches, 8–10 lbs) vs Yorkies (7–8 inches, 4–7 lbs). Silky coats are slightly shorter at maturity and have a less dense, flatter texture than Yorkie coats. Silkies also have a more refined, longer face shape.
Are Yorkies and Silkies related?
Yes — Silky Terriers were developed in Australia in the early 1900s by crossing Yorkshire Terriers with native Australian Terriers. The Silky is essentially a Yorkie with Australian Terrier ancestry baked in, which contributed slightly more substance and a different coat texture.
Which is healthier?
Comparable. Both share typical small-breed concerns: dental disease, patella issues, tracheal collapse risk. Silkies may have slightly fewer cases of liver shunt; Yorkies have slightly fewer cases of certain Australian Terrier-inherited conditions.
Which is more popular?
Yorkies are dramatically more popular in the US — usually a top 15 AKC breed. Silkies are much rarer (usually top 100 or beyond). Finding a Silky breeder can require travel or a waitlist.
Which is easier to live with?
Silkies are typically slightly easier — less coat care, slightly more outgoing temperament, slightly more confident. If you want a Yorkie-like dog but a touch sturdier and easier, a Silky is worth considering — just harder to find.