Choosing a Silky Terrier

Choosing a Silky Terrier

By: Dr. Dawn Ruben


Common Diseases and Disorders

In general, the silky terrier is a healthy dog with few medical concerns. However, the following diseases or disorders have been reported:

  • Tracheal collapse is a weakening of the rings of the windpipe. This leads to irritation and coughing.

  • Intervertebral disk disease is a disorder involving the disks between the spine. Affected dogs are painful. In severe cases, rear leg paralysis can occur.

  • Elbow dysplasia is a disorder involving the elbow joint leading to pain and lameness.

  • Malassezia Dermatitis - is a yeast infection of the skin caused by Malassezia pachydermatitis.

  • Subcutaneous injections of glucocorticoids - may cause local hair loss in this breed.

  • Corneal ulceration is the loss of the corneal epithelium (the outermost cells of the cornea).


  • Cataracts cause the lens of the eye to loose transparency and can result in blindness.

  • Progressive retinal degeneration (PRA) is a disease that causes nerve cells at the back of the eye to degenerate. The condition can lead to blindness.

  • Patellar luxation is a loose kneecap.

  • Legg-Calve Perthes a disease of the hip joints that leads to lameness.

  • Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that most often begins at 2 to 5 years of age.

    Life Span

    The average life span of the silky terrier is approximately12 to 15 years.


    We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.

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