Silkinese
The Silkinese is a cross between the Pekingese and the Silky Terrier. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Silkinese. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
Pekingese
The Pekingese is a compact, well-balanced toy dog with a distinctive lion-like appearance that reflects its ancient Chinese heritage as a sacred palace companion. Standing just six to nine inches at the shoulder and weighing between seven and fourteen pounds, the breed presents a surprisingly heavy, muscular body for its small size, with the front section of the body being notably heavier than the rear. This unique weight distribution contributes to the breed's characteristic rolling gait, a dignified side-to-side sway that suggests the confident bearing of royalty. The body is pear-shaped when viewed from above, with a broad chest and well-sprung ribs tapering to a narrower hindquarter. The head of the Pekingese is massive in proportion to the body, featuring a broad, flat skull and a very flat facial profile that defines the breed's brachycephalic structure. Large, round, dark eyes are set wide apart and prominently positioned in the face, conveying the bold, direct expression for which the breed is known. The extremely short, broad muzzle is wrinkled between the eyes and across the bridge of the nose, adding to the lion-like impression. Heart-shaped ears are set on the front corners of the flat skull top, lying flat against the head and covered with long feathering that blends into the profuse mane. The nose is black and set between the eyes rather than protruding forward. The Pekingese coat is truly magnificent, consisting of a long, coarse outer coat standing away from the body combined with a thick, soft undercoat. This double coat forms a distinctive mane or frill around the neck and shoulders, creating the lion-like silhouette that so captivated Chinese royalty. Profuse feathering adorns the ears, legs, thighs, toes, and the tail, which curves over the back to one side and displays long, flowing fringing. The breed comes in virtually any color and pattern, including red, fawn, black, cream, white, sable, and various combinations with or without black masks. Regardless of color, the overall impression should be one of opulent elegance combined with sturdy substance.
Key Characteristics
Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament The Pekingese generally has low to moderate energy levels, preferring leisurely activities and substantial rest time to vigorous exercise. This calm demeanor makes the breed well-suited to apartment living and to owners with more sedentary lifestyles. The breed tends to be reserved with strangers and may take considerable time to warm up to new people, though once trust is established, the Pekingese can be surprisingly playful and affectionate. The breed typically does better with older children who understand the need to handle small dogs gently and respect the Pekingese's dignified nature. Rough handling or excessive noise may cause the dog to become snappy or retreat. The breed can be possessive of its food, toys, and favorite people, making early socialization important to prevent resource guarding behaviors.
Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Heart disease, particularly mitral valve degeneration, affects the breed with increasing frequency as dogs age, eventually leading to congestive heart failure in many cases. Dental disease is extremely common due to the crowded teeth in the small, flat jaw, making regular dental care essential. Skin fold dermatitis can develop in the facial wrinkles if not kept clean and dry, leading to bacterial or yeast infections. The breed is prone to obesity, which exacerbates virtually every other health condition and must be carefully controlled through portion management. Perianal fistulas, a painful condition involving sores around the rectum, occur more frequently in Pekingese than in most other breeds. Prospective owners should seek breeders who prioritize health and moderate physical features, and should establish a relationship with a veterinarian experienced with brachycephalic breeds.
Silky Terrier
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.
Key Characteristics
Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament True to its terrier heritage, the Silky Terrier retains strong prey drive and will enthusiastically chase small animals, including cats and pocket pets if not properly socialized. The breed also exhibits typical terrier behaviors such as digging and may become territorial if not given appropriate guidance. While affectionate and playful with family members, the Silky Terrier can be reserved or suspicious around strangers until properly introduced. Early socialization is essential to develop a well-rounded temperament. The breed generally does well with older children who understand how to interact respectfully with small dogs, though supervision is recommended with very young children. Despite their small size, Silky Terriers require mental stimulation and physical activity to remain happy and well-behaved companions.
Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Eye conditions including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy can affect the Silky Terrier, potentially leading to vision impairment or blindness if not detected and managed appropriately. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, involving degeneration of the femoral head due to insufficient blood supply, typically appears in young dogs and may require surgical intervention. Liver shunts, or portosystemic shunts, occur when abnormal blood vessels bypass the liver, preventing proper detoxification of the blood. Additionally, the breed may experience allergies and skin conditions including Malassezia dermatitis, a yeast infection that causes itching and skin irritation. Hypothyroidism, though less common, can also occur and is typically managed with daily medication. Regular veterinary examinations, appropriate screening tests, and maintaining a healthy weight contribute to the overall health and longevity of the Silky Terrier.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Silkinese may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the Pekingese and Silky Terrier to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.