What do Silkys look like?
- The adult Silky Terrier weighs about 10 pounds with bitches being slightly smaller. They are 10 inches at the shoulder and are strongly built. Their coat is a lustrous single strand coat similar to human hair. Their coat color can be silver to dark blue with rich tan coloring on their feet, face, and ears with a light tan or silver topknot.
- You can see many examples of the Silky Terrier on our web site. We also encourage you to visit the American Kennel Club or Silky Terrier Club of America web site for the breed standard.
What kind of grooming is necessary?
- The coat of the Silky is actually easy to maintain with regular up-keep. Bathing the dog weekly using a good moisturizing shampoo, applying conditioner or light oil along with regular brushing fulfills the basic coat care requirements. Additionally, trimming around the feet, ears and tail occasionally helps maintain an clean well groomed appearance. You'll want to clip toe nails weekly.
Can a Silky be an outside dog?
- Silkys enjoy being outdoors especially playing with their owners. They are definitely "critter getters" and will chase off the likes of birds, squirrels, and most varmints. They are not suited for any extreme conditions and are best kept indoors. Silkys love sleeping with their owners or in their own "puppy condos". We recommend a sturdy Vari-kennel for use in transporting and crating your Silky.
Is the Silky a healthy breed?
- The Silky as with many other breeds has instances of most diseases. We take care to include only sound, healthy Silkys as part of our breeding program. We test for eye abnormalities and patellar luxation.
What are your requirements for placing a Silky puppy in a pet or companion home?
- Puppies placed in companion homes are required to be spayed or neutered within 30 days or by 7 months of age which ever comes first. We release the ownership and registration papers when we receive a certified letter from your veterinarian indicating the spay or neuter has taken place or provide limited registration papers for registration with AKC.
- We ask that puppies are provided with proper veterinary care along with the proper daily care by the owner and family to insure the safety and protection of the dog.
- Puppies should have adequate space to live including a fenced or secured outside area. We insist that the puppies not be allowed to run loose, ride in the back of a open pick-up truck or be tied up as a form of confinement.
- We realize that the Silky Terrier is not for every one. Our knowledge of the breed assists us in determining successful placements. We make every attempt to interview and determine the suitability of each potential owner or family before committing to a placement.
How much is a Silky?
- Priceless.
- Seriously, depending on the contract (full ownership, co-ownership, or a retirement placement) the cost will vary and range from $500.00 to $1200.00 depending on sex, pedigree, and contract conditions.
- Reservations for future litters are accepted with a $250.00 deposit. Cancellations will forfeit a $50.00 fee unless there is no puppy available from the litter specified at the time of reservation.
- Female puppies are usually pre-sold; contact us for availability.
- Safe shipping runs between $200.00 - $300.00 counter to counter service on most major airline carriers to major cities. You can check with individual carriers for policies and pricing regarding shipping.
How is Wind Dancer different from other breeders?
- We are show breeders primarily interested in the betterment of the breed. We are actively involved in showing in conformation. We are involved in our local and national dog community. We fully understand the health issues within the breed and exhaust available testing of both sire and dam prior to breeding. At Wind Dancer, we select dogs and bitches by temperament and sound conformation. We spend considerable time planning and researching pedigrees and select stud dogs in order to produce the best possible examples of our breed. The reality is we breed for ourselves as show competitors but the fact is that not all puppies will be show quality. After evaluating our litters, those puppies not chosen for show homes are placed as pets.
- We differ from others in that we are not "backyard breeders". A "back yard breeder" can be described as individual or family who breeds "so their kids can learn from the birth" or "because their bitch is such a great pet they want another just like her" or "it's a way to make a quick and easy buck". These breeders know very little about the breed. They spend no time seriously searching for the right stud dog. They usually select the sire based on knowing someone who owns a male of the same breed. They do not understand the genetic health issues or the need to health test the sire and dam before breeding. No consideration is given to the quality of the breeding partners because they simply don't know what constitutes a sound Silky Terrier. Another type of "backyard breeder" is the individual who has a male and one or more females they breed solely to make money. They are only motivated by the revenue the puppies bring to them.
- Wind Dancer differs from others also in that we are not commercial breeders. Commercial breeders are breeders that house many males and females from a variety of breeds are kept and bred. Bitches are usually bred each time they are in season until they can produce no more get. The animals are confined in kennels. Many of these breeders produce many puppies and provide a lot of misinformation.
- In your search for just the right puppy and breeder, please remember that the Internet offers many options and, as good as the Internet is, unfortunately, it also gives out a lot of false impressions and much confusing information.
- The Internet is an advertising source for breeders. Not all breeders are not of the same caliber. Many puppy millers advertising on the WWW. We encourage you to feel 100% comfortable with the person you are talking to when discussing purchasing a Silky companion.
Should I breed my dog?
- There are so many considerations. Please take time to review the information at this web site as a comprehensive resource for answering the question as to whether or not to breed your dog or bitch. Click here for Breeding Article
What do you advise me to look for in a breeder, even you?
- Buy from a responsible and well-respected breeder. Responsible breeders are concerned with the betterment of the breed and the health and welfare of their puppies. They work on breeding-out hereditary diseases that might affect their breed. We encourage you to screen us or any other breeder by asking to see at least one parent of the puppy. Whenever possible see how the dogs in the breeder's home interact with your breeder. Are their Silkys friendly and outgoing, or do they shy away? Do the puppies appear healthy and friendly? Are the premises clean? Does the breeder willingly share information and ideas about Silky puppy care and training? Will the breeder give you names of other puppy buyers as references?
Why do contracts for ownership have to be involved?
- A contract will serve to protect you and the breeder. You should expect most reputable breeders to insist that a contract is in place prior to selling you a puppy. It's always good advice to be sure to review the agreement before you sign it. The contract should include the names of the sire and dam and their AKC registration numbers, and a brief description of the puppy (sex, color, pet or show quality puppy). It should also contain the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the buyer and breeder, as well as some sort of warranty regarding the puppy's health. The health warranty should allow you to have the puppy checked by a veterinarian of your choice and should set forth terms and a reasonable time period for returning the puppy should there be a health problem. If there is a problem, notify the breeder immediately and be sure to follow it up in writing.
- We provide contracts for review upon request after screening.
Do you require an advance deposit?
- In order to reserve a puppy, we do quite often require advance deposit. Bitch puppies regardless of whether they are placed in show or companion homes are in high demand. The deposit, including any refund policy or additional conditions are handled as a separate written agreement.
What special requirement do you have if I just want a pet Silky?
- At Wind Dancer, we routinely include a written spay/neuter requirement to pet contracts as a condition before releasing the puppy's AKC registration papers. We are responsible breeders so we will also be screening you during inquiries looking for the best home for each puppy.
- It is not unusual that litter after litter is spoken for or under advance reservation. Please do not give up, and do consider putting your own name on our waiting list. It is seldom possible to start your search for a puppy in May and to be able to take one home in June.
What if I'm buying a show puppy?
- We encourage you to do an in-depth study of the breed standard and discuss fully the merits or faults of the individual dog that you are interested in with us.
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