Glossary

Silky coat

A fine, glossy, flowing coat that tangles easily and needs regular brushing, found on breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese and Afghan Hound.

Also called: silky hair, long silky coat, silky-coated, fine long coat, single coat

A silky coat is made of fine, soft, glossy hair that lies close to the body and flows or hangs. It is often long and usually a single layer without a thick undercoat. Breeds with it include the Yorkshire Terrier, the Maltese, the Silky Terrier, the Afghan Hound, the Havanese and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

The fine texture tangles and mats easily, so many owners brush daily and visit a dog groomer every few weeks. A clipped pet trim is common because a full show coat takes a great deal of care.

Silky coats shed little, but that does not make a dog hypoallergenic. The coat differs from a harsh wire coat, a tight curly coat or a short smooth coat. Many dogs have a mixed coat that matches none of these exactly.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Wire coat A harsh, bristly outer coat with a dense undercoat, found on many terriers and some gundogs, traditionally kept tidy by hand stripping. Curly coat A coat of tight curls or waves, as on the Poodle, Bichon Frise and Curly-Coated Retriever, which sheds little but mats without regular grooming. Smooth coat A short, close-lying coat that needs little grooming, found on breeds such as the Boxer, Beagle, Greyhound and Doberman Pinscher. Dog groomer A professional who bathes, brushes, clips and trims dogs, in a salon, a mobile van or a clinic.