Quick Links: Table of Contents
- American Bulldog Versus Silky Terrier: Introduction
- American Bulldog versus Silky Terrier: Overview
- American Bulldog versus Silky Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier
- The Similarities Between the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier
- Size Comparison of American Bulldog versus Silky Terrier
- Lifespan of American Bulldog versus Silky Terrier
- Temperament of the American Bulldog Versus the Silky Terrier
- Price of American Bulldog versus Price of Silky Terrier
- The Intelligence of the American Bulldog versus the Intelligence of the Silky Terrier
- Health Problems of American Bulldog versus Health Problems of Silky Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: American Bulldog versus Silky Terrier
- Do American Bulldogs shed more than Silky Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the American Bulldog or the Silky Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the American Bulldog or the Silky Terrier?
- Does the American Bulldog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Silky Terrier?
- Do American Bulldogs Bark and Howl? What about Silky Terriers?
- Can American Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Silky Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: American Bulldog vs. Silky Terrier
- Can American Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Silky Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Bulldog or the Silky Terrier?
- Are American Bulldogs good family dogs? What about Silky Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are American Bulldogs and Silky Terriers?
- Is the American Bulldog Easier to Train than the Silky Terrier?
- Conclusion: American Bulldog versus Silky Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
American Bulldog Versus Silky Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier better suits you.We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the American Bulldog and for the Silky Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the American Bulldog or the Silky Terrier.
American Bulldog versus Silky Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Bulldog is a large-sized dog while the Silky Terrier is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the American Bulldog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
On the other hand, the Silky Terrier belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
American Bulldog versus Silky Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the American Bulldog to the Silky Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier
| Factor | American Bulldog | Silky Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 16 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 20 to 28 inches | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 60 to 120 pounds | 8 to 10 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1400 | $2040 |
| Price Range | $912 – $1600 | $1800 – $2738 |
| Temperament Score | 86.9 percent | 73.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 77 | 37 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Bulldog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Silky Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for the American Bulldog is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Silky Terrier is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Silky Terrier is a better pet than the American Bulldog. So, you should get the Silky Terrier!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier
Below is a list of where the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier are most different:
- American Bulldogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Silky Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
- American Bulldogs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Silky Terriers do not have the tendency to drool.
The Similarities Between the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier
The American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier are most similar:
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier are not very friendly towards strangers.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier are very easy to groom.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier are very easy to train.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier are very playful.
- Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Size Comparison of American Bulldog versus Silky Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier.
American Bulldogs weigh 60 to 120 pounds when fully grown. American Bulldogs are 20 to 28 inches when fully grown.
On the other hand, Silky Terriers weigh 8 to 10 pounds when fully grown. Silky Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of American Bulldog versus Silky Terrier
The lifespan of American Bulldogs is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of American Bulldogs is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Silky Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Silky Terriers is 13.5 years.
Silky Terriers live longer than American Bulldogs.
Temperament of the American Bulldog Versus the Silky Terrier
The American Bulldog has a better temperament than the Silky Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the American Bulldog is 86.9 percent while the temperament score for the Silky Terrier is 73.7 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 86.9 percent, the American Bulldog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 73.7 percent, the Silky Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 214 American Bulldogs and 19 Silky Terriers.
Price of American Bulldog versus Price of Silky Terrier
The average price of the American Bulldog puppy is $1400. The price of the American Bulldog typically ranges from $912 – $1600. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 302 American Bulldog puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Silky Terrier puppy is $2040. The price of the Silky Terrier typically ranges from $1800 – $2738. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 27 Silky Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Silky Terrier is more expensive than the American Bulldog.
The charts below show the price distribution for the American Bulldog and Silky Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many American Bulldog puppies or how many Silky Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of American Bulldogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Silky Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Bulldog puppy or the Silky Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Intelligence of the American Bulldog versus the Intelligence of the Silky Terrier
`| American Bulldog | Silky Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 77 out of 130 dog breeds | 37 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:- Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
- Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
- Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.Prof. Coren found that the American Bulldog has an obedience intelligence rank of 77 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Bulldog belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that American Bulldogs tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Silky Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The Silky Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Silky Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Silky Terrier is more intelligent than the American Bulldog.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
Health Problems of American Bulldog versus Health Problems of Silky Terrier
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the American Bulldog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Silky Terrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Bulldog than for the Silky Terrier.
7 health tests are recommended for American Bulldog while 2 tests are recommended for the Silky Terrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Bulldogs and in Silky Terriers.
American Bulldog Health Problems
American Bulldogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Bulldog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a American Bulldog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Bulldog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen American Bulldogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Bulldogs here.
Silky Terrier Health Problems
Silky Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Silky Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Silky Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Silky Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Silky Terriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Silky Terriers here.
Tolerates Being Alone: American Bulldog versus Silky Terrier
American Bulldogs do not like to be left alone.
Silky Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Do American Bulldogs shed more than Silky Terriers?
American Bulldogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Silky Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the American Bulldog or the Silky Terrier
American Bulldogs have a very high tendency to drool.
Silky Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the American Bulldog or the Silky Terrier?
American Bulldogs are very easy to groom.
Silky Terriers are very easy to groom.
Does the American Bulldog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Silky Terrier?
American Bulldogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Silky Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do American Bulldogs Bark and Howl? What about Silky Terriers?
American Bulldogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Silky Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can American Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Silky Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
American Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Silky Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: American Bulldog vs. Silky Terrier
American Bulldogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Silky Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can American Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Silky Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
American Bulldogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Silky Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Bulldog or the Silky Terrier?
American Bulldogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Silky Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are American Bulldogs good family dogs? What about Silky Terriers?
American Bulldogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Silky Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are American Bulldogs and Silky Terriers?
American Bulldogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Silky Terriers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the American Bulldog Easier to Train than the Silky Terrier?
American Bulldogs are very easy to train.
Silky Terriers are very easy to train.
Is the American Bulldog Better for Apartment Owners than the Silky Terrier?
American Bulldogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Silky Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Bulldog or the Silky Terrier?
American Bulldogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Silky Terriers are OK for new dog owners.
Conclusion: American Bulldog versus Silky Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the American Bulldog and the Silky Terrier better suits you and your family.