Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Silky coat, long.
A Silky Terrier suits
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 4 of 5)
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 4 of 5)
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 2 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 5 of 5)
Think twice if
- You share walls with neighbors: barking is 4 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 4 of 5 and a watchdog score of 5, expect a vocal dog that announces visitors. Grooming at 3 of 5 means weekly brushing.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 108.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Sealyham TerrierKidsEnergyShedding
Compare: Silky Terrier vs Schipperke · Silky Terrier vs Sealyham Terrier · Silky Terrier vs Pomeranian
Frequently asked questions
Are Silky Terriers good with kids?
The AKC rates the Silky Terrier 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Silky Terriers shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 2 out of 5 (low), and coat grooming 3 out of 5.
Are Silky Terriers easy to train?
Trainability is rated 4 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Silky Terrier have?
Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 4 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Silky Terrier page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.