Skye Terrier
Terrier

Group:

Terrier

Size:

medium

Lifespan:

12-14 years

Exercise:

low

Grooming:

moderate

Trainability:

moderate

Watchdog ability:

high

Protection ability:

low

Area of Origin:

Scotland

Date of Origin:

1500’s

Other Names:

none

Original Function:

Fox and otter hunting

History

The origin of the Skye Terrier is connected with a shipwreck. In the early 1600's a Spanish ship came to grief against the rocks of the island of Skye in the Scottish Hebrides. Among the survivors were Maltese dogs that mated with local terriers and produced this new extremely pleasing and unique breed. In the mid-1800's Queen Victoria took a fancy to the breed and it became very popular for a while, especially among the nobility. Later the breed's popularity waned. The Skye Terrier is very loyal and strongly connected to his master. Legend has it that a Skye named "Bobby" stayed faithfully by the grave of his deceased master for ten years before he, too, passed away. Today the beautiful Skye Terrier is primarily a companion, though he can still help control vermin.

Temperament

The Skye is very good-natured, polite and affectionate. The Skye is courageous, spunky, bold, loving and playful, yet more serious than many terriers. They need a lot of attention to be happy. Loyal, protective, and a bit wilful, this breed requires extensive early socialisation with people or he may grow up to be overly suspicious of strangers. He often does not like to be touched by strangers and may bite. Be careful around other small animals, as the Skye likes to chase, and they can be a bit dog-aggressive. These little dogs like to bark.

Upkeep

This is a hunting dog at heart and enjoys a daily outing, exploring in a safe area. It also needs a short to moderate walk to stay in shape. The Skye enjoys life as a house dog, and prefers not to live outdoors. Regular combing (about twice a week) is all that is needed to keep the Skye looking good. An occasional bath will not soften the coat too much, as is often the case with other terriers. The hair around the eyes and mouth may need extra cleaning.

Official Breed Standard

CHARACTERISTICS:
Elegant and dignified.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Long, low and profusely coated, twice as long as high. Moves with seemingly effortless gait. Strong in quarters, body and jaw.

Temperament:
A 'one-man' dog, distrustful of strangers, never vicious.

Head and Skull:
Long and powerful, strength not sacrificed for extreme length. Moderate width at back of skull, tapering gradually with slight stop to strong muzzle. Nose black.

Eyes:
Brown, preferably dark brown, medium in size, close set and full of expression.

Ears:
Prick or drop. When prick, gracefully feathered, not large, erect at outer edges and slanting towards each other at inner edge, from peak to skull. When drop, larger, hanging straight, lying flat and close at front.

Mouth:
Jaws strong and level with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck:
Long and slightly crested.

Forequarters:
Shoulders broad, close to body, chest deep, legs short and muscular.

Body:
Long and low, back level. Ribcage oval, deep and long. Short Lion. Sides appear flattish due to straight falling coat.

Hindquarters:
Strong, full, well developed and well angulated. Legs short, muscular and straight when viewed from behind. No dew claws.

Feet:
Forefeet larger than hind, pointing truly forward. Pads thick, nails strong.

Tail:
When hanging, upper part pendulous and lower half town back in a curve. When raised, a prolongation of incline of back, not raising higher nor curling up. Gracefully feathered.

Gait/movement:
Legs proceed straight forward when travelling. When approaching, forelegs form a continuation of straight line in front, feet being same distance apart as elbows. Principal propelling power is furnished by hind legs which travel straight forward. Forelegs moving well forward, without too much lift. Whole movement termed free, active and effortless and gives a more or less fluid picture.

Coat: Double.
Undercoat short, close, soft and woolly. Outercoat long, hard, straight, flat and free from curl. hair on head shorter, softer, veiling forehead and eyes. Mingling with side locks, surrounding ears like a fringe and allowing their shape to appear.

Colour:
Black, dark or light grey, fawn, cream, all with black points. Any self colour allowing shading of same colour and lighter undercoat, so long as nose and ears are black. A small white spot on chest permissible.

Size - Height:
Dogs 25-26 cms (10 ins) – Length from tip of nose to tip of tail 103cms (41.5 ins)
Bitches slightly smaller in same proportions.

Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.