The Skye Terrier

Appearance

The Skye Terrier is a dog of style, elegance and dignity. Long, low and level, he is twice as long as he is high. He is covered with a profuse coat that falls straight down either side of the body.Hair covers his forehead and eyes.The ideal shoulder height for dogs is 260mm.

History

The Skye originated centuries ago on the Isle to Skye, which lies off the northeast coast of Scotland. There are claims that the Skye is the oldest terrier breed of Scotland. One view is that canine survivors of a wrecked man-of-war from the Spanish Armada bred with local terriers, producing a strain with a long silky coat. Another theory is based on the fact that the western highlands were settled by the Vikings. The Swedish Vallhund, whose history goes back to Viking times, is closely linked to the Corgi and has a similar body shape to the Skye.

Many famous people owned Skyes including Robert Louis Stevenson and Queen Victoria.

Skyes were at the 1860 Birmingham Dog Show. Classes were scheduled for “Scotch Terriers” and any terrier native to Scotland could be exhibited in such classes. It would appear that breed type quickly became established as pictures and drawings of Skyes in the 1870’s and 1880’s are clearly recognizable as what we know as Skye Terriers, though the drop eared variety was in the majority until the turn of the century. Apart from a gradual increase in size, there are few changes in appearance of the dogs between the late nineteenth century and the present day.

Temperament

The Skye is good tempered and loyal with those he knows and reserved and cautious with strangers.

Care / Grooming

The Skye'a beautiful long coat needs reqular grooming.

Health

Skye are generally healthy dogs and have strong backs

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