Silkese

The Maltese is a diminutive toy breed with a refined and elegant appearance that belies its surprisingly sturdy constitution. Standing between seven and nine inches tall at the shoulder and weighing under seven pounds according to breed standards, with show dogs ideally falling between four and six pounds, the Maltese possesses a compact and well-balanced body. The breed carries itself with a smooth and effortless gait that conveys both grace and confidence. The slightly rounded skull features a moderate stop, and the medium-length muzzle tapers gently without appearing snipey. Dark brown to black eyes are set moderately apart, conveying an alert and gentle expression, while drop ears hang close to the head and blend seamlessly into the flowing coat. The crowning glory of the Maltese is its spectacular coat, which consists of a single layer of long, silky, straight hair that can grow to floor length when properly maintained. Unlike double-coated breeds, the Maltese lacks an undercoat, which contributes to the coat's flowing, silky texture. The coat color is pure, brilliant white, though subtle shades of pale ivory or light lemon are permissible, particularly on the ears. Many owners opt for a practical puppy cut that keeps the coat short and manageable, while show dogs display the full-length coat parted down the middle of the back. Proper Maltese specimens display black pigmentation on what breeders call the points, including the nose, eye rims, lips, and paw pads. The prized halos, which are solid black rims around both eyes, are particularly desirable features that enhance the breed's sweet expression. The nose should be black, though some individuals may experience fading to brown or pink, especially during winter months or hormonal changes. The teeth meet in a scissors bite, and the compact body maintains refined bone structure throughout, creating an overall picture of delicate beauty combined with substance.

The Silky Terrier is a refined yet robust toy breed that stands approximately nine to ten inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between eight and ten pounds. Despite its elegant appearance, this breed possesses true terrier substance with a compact, moderately low-set body that is slightly longer than tall. The overall structure conveys strength and agility rather than fragility, with sufficient bone to suggest the breed's working terrier heritage. The body is well-muscled with a level topline, moderately sprung ribs, and a high-set tail that is customarily docked in countries where the practice remains legal, carried erect but not over the back. The head of the Silky Terrier is strong and wedge-shaped, with a flat skull of moderate width between the ears and a shallow stop. The powerful jaws contain evenly spaced teeth meeting in a scissors bite, and the small, almond-shaped eyes are dark and express keen intelligence and alertness. Small, V-shaped ears stand erect and are set high on the skull, contributing to the breed's perpetually alert expression. The neck is refined yet strong, flowing smoothly into well-laid-back shoulders that allow for free movement. The breed's most striking feature is its long, silky coat that typically reaches five to six inches in length and is parted from head to tail along the back. Unlike the similar-looking Yorkshire Terrier, the Silky Terrier's coat maintains a straight, glossy texture without the woolly or wavy tendencies sometimes seen in related breeds. The coat color at maturity is blue and tan, with the blue ranging from silver blue to slate blue. Puppies are born black and tan, with the distinctive blue coloring developing as they mature, typically by eighteen months of age. The tan markings appear on the muzzle, cheeks, around the base of the ears, legs, and feet. The compact, cat-like feet and strong pasterns complete the picture of this elegant yet athletic toy terrier.