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Cairn Terrier is the closest match for the Australian Silky Terrier, ranking first on the same Terriers and pinschers family, the same Terrier group and the same toy size class. It records 9.5 to 10 inches and 13 to 14 pounds. The Norfolk Terrier and the English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) follow in the same family.
Each match below is taken one at a time: why the records pair it with the Australian Silky Terrier, and the point where the two records diverge.
First place in the scoring goes to the Cairn Terrier. They share the terriers and pinschers family shelf and the Terrier group label. On size they are hard to separate: both toy, 9.5 to 10 inches and 9 to 10 inches. Longevity lines up, with 13 to 15 years recorded against 13 to 15 years. In pounds the difference shows, 13 to 14 lb next to 8 to 10 lb.
Go deeper: the Cairn Terrier profile or breeds similar to the Cairn Terrier.
The records put the Norfolk Terrier a close second. Both sit in the terriers and pinschers grouping and carry the Terrier group label. Size nearly matches, both toy: 9 to 10 inches against 9 to 10 inches. Years are shared ground, 12 to 15 years next to 13 to 15 years. The differences are of degree rather than kind: a step in the figures here, a shade in the record there.
Go deeper: the Norfolk Terrier profile or breeds similar to the Norfolk Terrier.
Also high in the comparison is the English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan). They share the terriers and pinschers family shelf and the Terrier group label. Both stand in the toy class, 10 to 12 inches next to 9 to 10 inches. Build is close too: 7 to 9 lb for the English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan), 8 to 10 lb for the Australian Silky Terrier. The differences are of degree rather than kind: a step in the figures here, a shade in the record there.
Go deeper: the English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) profile or breeds similar to the English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan).
The Norwich Terrier rounds out the closest matches. The two match at family level, among the terriers and pinschers, and in the Terrier group. On size they are hard to separate: both toy, 9 to 11 inches and 9 to 10 inches. The contrast is gentle, mostly a matter of slightly wider or narrower ranges.
Go deeper: the Norwich Terrier profile or breeds similar to the Norwich Terrier.
The Japanese Terrier rounds out the closest matches. The two match at family level, among the terriers and pinschers, and in the Terrier group. On size they are hard to separate: both toy, 8 to 13 inches and 9 to 10 inches. Activity levels split them, 5 of 5 versus 3 of 5 in the trait records.
Go deeper: the Japanese Terrier profile or breeds similar to the Japanese Terrier.
The Biewer Terrier earns its place in this set on the recorded numbers. On size they are hard to separate: both toy, 7 to 11 inches and 9 to 10 inches. The contrast is gentle, mostly a matter of slightly wider or narrower ranges.
Go deeper: the Biewer Terrier profile or breeds similar to the Biewer Terrier.
| Breed | Size | Height | Weight | Lifespan | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Silky Terrier | Toy | 9 to 10 in | 8 to 10 lb | 13 to 15 yrs | Terriers and pinschers |
| Cairn Terrier | Toy | 9.5 to 10 in | 13 to 14 lb | 13 to 15 yrs | Terriers and pinschers |
| Norfolk Terrier | Toy | 9 to 10 in | 11 to 12 lb | 12 to 15 yrs | Terriers and pinschers |
| English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) | Toy | 10 to 12 in | 7 to 9 lb | 12 to 14 yrs | Terriers and pinschers |
| Norwich Terrier | Toy | 9 to 11 in | 11 to 12 lb | 12 to 15 yrs | Terriers and pinschers |
| Japanese Terrier | Toy | 8 to 13 in | 5 to 10 lb | 12 to 16 yrs | Terriers and pinschers |
| Biewer Terrier | Toy | 7 to 11 in | 4 to 8 lb | 12 to 16 yrs | Terriers and pinschers |
The heaviest option here is the Cairn Terrier, at 13 to 14 pounds, while the lightest is the Biewer Terrier, at 4 to 8 pounds, across this set of close matches.
The records point to the Cairn Terrier, ahead on a shared family, the same group, a matching size class and a close lifespan. The Norfolk Terrier follows in second place.
Much the same size in the records: the Norfolk Terrier stands 9 to 10 inches and weighs 11 to 12 lb, the Australian Silky Terrier 9 to 10 inches and 8 to 10 lb.
None of the matches outlives the Australian Silky Terrier on the recorded ranges: the Australian Silky Terrier is listed at 13 to 15 years, and the longest lived match, the Japanese Terrier, is listed at 12 to 16 years.