Skye Terrier: temperament, size, care and health

About the Skye Terrier

The Skye Terrier is a long, low dog with a long head, a flowing double coat that parts down the back and reaches the ground, and ears that may be prick or drop. It stands about 9 to 10 inches at the shoulder but is roughly twice as long as it is tall. Colors include black, gray, fawn, and cream, all with black points.

Skye Terriers were bred to follow foxes and badgers into rocky Scottish dens, and the long, low body and strong jaw reflect this. Today it is an uncommon breed, kept by people who appreciate the unusual outline and the quiet, loyal personality.

Temperament and family life

The Skye is a one-family dog. It is devoted and brave, and it can be affectionate with those it trusts, but it tends to be reserved or aloof with strangers. Visitors may need time to win its confidence, and the dog may bark in warning.

The breed usually prefers adults and older children. It dislikes rough handling and is not generally the right choice for a household with toddlers. With other dogs it can be aggressive, especially toward the same sex, and small animals are prey. Early, ongoing socialization is crucial. Skye Terriers can be sensitive and may sulk if scolded.

Exercise and training

The Skye needs modest exercise: daily walks, a bit of play, and time to sniff. It is not built for long runs or jumping, and the long back deserves protection. The breed is content to be with its family and is happy in a modest home.

Training demands patience. Skye Terriers are intelligent but slow to mature and prefer to do things their own way. Gentle, firm, and consistent guidance with plenty of rewards works better than force. They can be difficult to housebreak, and a gradual introduction to grooming helps with later handling.

Grooming and shedding

The long coat is the major challenge. It should be brushed thoroughly at least two or three times a week, reaching down to the skin, and combed after walks to remove burrs and debris. Without regular work the hair mats and tangles. The breed sheds moderate amounts of loose hair, which tends to stay caught in the coat until brushed out.

Bathe every few weeks if the dog is dirty. Trim the nails, clean the ears, and keep the hair around the eyes tidy. Many owners trim the coat shorter for ease.

Health

Skye Terriers are generally healthy in good lines, but the long back leaves them prone to intervertebral disc disease, so keeping a lean weight and limiting jumping from furniture is wise. Hip dysplasia, thyroid disease, skin allergies, and heart disease are also seen. The breed's small population means careful selection by breeders is important, and screening of hips and thyroid function is recommended.

General information like this cannot replace an examination, and a veterinarian is the person to consult about a particular Skye Terrier.

History

The Skye Terrier is generally traced to the Isle of Skye and the western Highlands of Scotland, where it was valued as a working terrier, and it became fashionable in the nineteenth century, with Queen Victoria among its admirers. The story of Greyfriars Bobby, a dog that watched over his master's grave in Edinburgh, is often told about a Skye Terrier, although accounts differ. The breed's numbers declined during the twentieth century, and it is now a rare dog.

Is the Skye Terrier right for you?

A Skye Terrier suits adults who want a serious, devoted dog of modest size and will keep up with grooming. It does well in apartments if walked daily. It is not a match for families with small children, for those who want a friendly dog with everyone, or for owners who skip brushing.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a gentler cousin of similar build, and the Sealyham Terrier is a sturdier alternative. For a lower-maintenance coat, look at the Cairn Terrier or the Scottish Terrier.