Skye Terrier dog breed is a native of Scotland and was described in writings dating back to the 16th century. The Skye was a fearless working terrier that was used to track otter, badger, and weasel. The long-coated and short-legged Skye Terrier was a favorite dog breed with the Scottish.
From 1842, this dog breed caught the fancy of Queen Victoria and as a result, catapulted into the role of a fashionable pet. This sturdy, elegant breed is twice as long as he is high and his ears may be either prick or drop.
Skye Terrier Temperament
Although they Skye dog breed is reserved and cautious with strangers, he is friendly and gay with those he knows especially with his family. The Skye is fearless, good-tempered, loyal, canny and consequently, possesses the temperament of a typical working terrier. The Skye Terrier dog breed is a bit aloof. Therefore, this breed may not be the ideal pet for every family.
Skye Terrier
Skye Terrier
General Appearance: The Skye is an alert terrier with great style, elegance, and dignity. This breed is friendly with friends and reserved with strangers. The Skye is a working terrier capable of overtaking its game and going to ground, displaying stamina, courage, strength and agility. A true specimen must be of a size suitable for its work. The Skye is strong in body, quarters, and jaws and has good bone structure and hard muscles.
The hair on the head and body should be of such length and texture to protect it in the brush and in a dogfight. Long and low. Level back. Flattish appearance to sides. Strong head. Dark eyes, full of life and intelligence. Ears prick or drop. Graceful neck. Straight front and rear, with hindquarters moderately angulated. Feathered tail. Hard, straight, 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) outercoat, well furnished on ears, face and tail.
Skye Terrier Size
Ideal measurements – Dogs: Height at shoulders about 10 inches (25 cm); length, chest bone over tail at rump about 20 inches (51 cm); head about 8-1/2 inches (22 cm); tail about 9 inches (23 cm). Bitches: Height at shoulder about 9-1/2 inches (24 cm); length chest bone over tail at rump about 19 inches (48 cm); head about 8 inches (20 cm); tail about 8-1/2 inches (22 cm).
A slightly higher or lower dog of either sex is acceptable, providing body, head and tail dimensions are proportionately longer or shorter. It should be noted that the ideal ratio of body length to shoulder height is 2 to 1.
Coat: The Skye has a double coat and the undercoat is short, close, soft and wooly. The outer coat is 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) with no extra credit for any greater length. Hard, straight and flat. The body coat hangs straight down on each side, parting from head to tail. The hair on the head is shorter, softer – veiling the forehead and eyes. The Skye has a moderate beard and apron. On ears, overhanging inside, falling down and mingling with side locks, surrounding the ears like a fringe and allowing their shape to appear.
Color: Any color, including but not limited to black, dark or light blue, gray, fawn, or cream. Color of head and legs should approximate that of the body. In dogs of all colors, muzzle, ears, and tip of the tail are preferably dark.
Head: Should be long and powerful, with slight stop, but never coarse. Do not sacrifice strength for extreme length. Moderate width at the back of skull tapering gradually to a strong muzzle. Muzzle dark and nose always black. Powerful jaws and mouth, incisor teeth closing level or upper teeth just fitting over lower. Eyes brown, preferably dark brown. Medium size, close-set, full of life and intelligence.
Skye Terrier with prick ears
Skye Terrier with prick earsEars (prick or drop) gracefully feathered and symmetrical. When ears are prick, they should not be large. They should be erect at outer edges and slightly wider apart at peak than at skull. Prick ears should be placed high on the skull. When drop, ears should be placed lower on the head; larger ears are permitted and they should hang flat against the skull.
Skye Terrier with drop ears
Neck: Long and gracefully arched.
Forequarters: Straight front. Good layback of shoulders with a tight placement of shoulder blades at withers. Elbows close to the body. Legs short, muscular and straight.
Body: Pre-eminently long and low. Back level. Chest deep. Ribs a deep oval giving a flattish appearance to sides.
Hindquarters: Full, well developed and moderately angulated. Legs are short, muscular and straight when viewed from behind. Remove the dewclaws. Large hare feet, pointing forward. Pads thick. Nails strong and preferably black.
Tail: When hanging, upper section pendulous, and following line of rump; lower section is thrown back in a gentle arc. When raised, a prolongation of the line of the back. Though not preferred, sometimes carried high when happy, excited, or angry. When this is a matter of spirit, not confirmation, no penalty should follow. Well feathered.
Gait: The legs should be carried straight forward when traveling. When approaching, the forelegs should form a continuation of the straight line of the front, without paddling or weaving, the feet being the same distance apart as the elbows. The principal propelling power is furnished by the hind legs and should be straight forward without weaving. The whole movement should be fluid without waddle or bounce. Confirmation may be concealed due to a profuse coat and therefore movement is important. The dog must be in motion to reveal its true conformation.
Faults: Dogs at shoulder over 12 inches (30 cm) and bitches over 11-1/2 inches (29 cm). Dogs under 8 inches (20 cm) and bitches under 7-1/2 inches (19 cm). These measurements are definite limits and any height over or under is to be considered a very serious fault. Any softness or curl of outer coat. A single or sparse coat. Lack of ear or face curtains. Short, weak or coarse head. Snipey muzzle. It is a fault if the nose is any color other than black. Wry mouth. Undershot or overshot jaw.
Skye Terrier puppies
Faults: Light or yellow colored eyes. Ears that are not symmetrical. Prick ears that are low set. Semi-prick ears. Drop-ears with a lift. Lazy carriage of prick ears. Short neck. Fiddle front or out at elbows. Straight shoulders. Shoulder blades wide apart at withers. Weak or crooked front legs. High on leg or clumsy. A sway or roach back. Shallow chest. Weak hindquarters. Straight stifles. Weak or crooked hind legs as viewed from behind. Cow- hocks. Splay, paper, or cat-foot. Tail with twist or curl or continuously carried above the line of the back. Tail poorly feathered.
