Skye Terrier

This breed comes from Skye, one the Hebrides islands of the Northeast of Scotland. Its ancestors were short-legged and long-haired dogs that lived since always in the island. It is believed that the dogs like the spaniel that came from wrecked Spanish ships have contributed also to its creation. The skye terrier was used especially for hunting in burrows of foxes, badgers, wild otters and other predators, and as a guard dog as well. Nowadays, its long and silky hair, as established by the standard, makes it a pet dog. Two types of skye terrier are raised, one with the ears up high and the other with drop ears. In many countries, the cross of both types is authorized; in others its family tree is done separately.

In Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, there is a fountain made of stone with a statue of the skye terrier. In 1872, a baroness made erect in memory of the most loyal dog in the world, "Boby" of Greyfriar, which lived fourteen years on the tomb of its master before dying. The skye terrier is a truly loyal dog, it is not demanding and a good guardian, but it only recognizes one master. And it is aggressive with strangers.

Size: 23-37 cm. Weight: 5-7 kg. The skye terrier is a long dog; in adult age the length of its body is not less than 105 cm. Colors: in most of the cases it is dark bluish gray, it is also light or dark silver gray, light blue (1), light or yellowish gray (2) with black tips. The color must be uniform; the zones of the ears and snout must be darker and even black. The layer of hair is long (15 cm average). The hair must be straight and cover totally the lower layer that is soft and wavy. In the cranium, the hair is softer than in other zones of the body and falls on the head and eyes. It has characteristic long bangs over the face, the ears and the tuft of the tail. The hair should not be cut and it has to be groomed almost every day, in order to avoid having to cut it because of lack of care.

For an exhibition or any other occasion where the dog has to be in perfect conditions, the skye terrier must be bathed the previous day and it has be combed when the hair is still wet, so that it can separate the hair perfectly to both sides of the back (3). It is dried with a hair dryer and it is straighten with a groomer.