Fearless, tenacious and loyal – here comes the Skye Terrier!
History
One of the most famous dogs to have ever lived, Greyfriars Bobby, was a Skye Terrier. The story of his unwavering loyalty to his human has been recorded in books and film.
Named after the Isle of Skye in Scotland, these small terriers have a long history. There is some level of confusion about their origin as several different breeds had the name “Skye Terrier”. It is one of 18 dogs native to Scotland.
Legend has it that Mary Queen of Scots had one of these terriers beneath her petticoat at her execution. Undoubtedly traumatic for both human and dog involved!
The dog in its present form appeared in “The Illustrated Book of the Dog” in 1881. This showed the cute Skye Terrier to a large audience and its popularity increased.
The American Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1887 and they were admired on the show-dog scene at the time. Sadly, today Skye Terriers are an endangered dog breed.
Appearance
They are medium-sized, sturdy dogs that are twice as long as they are tall. Their short little legs allow them to chase down small animals like badgers and foxes. And its long back allows it to bend into tight spots. They are heavier and more powerful than they might at first appear.
The Skye Terriers’ undercoat is dense and it has a straight, flat outer coat that grows up to about five inches long. Coat colours are black, dark or light grey, blonde and fawn with dark ears and muzzle
Temperament
Skye Terriers are affectionate, fearless and enjoy personal attention. They love a daily walk and are happy to relax indoors after exercise.
They make a brave guard dog that protects its family. Skyes are independent but love to play games with their people. They can become intensely loyal and attached to one person. Cautious around strangers, of both the human and canine variety, Skye Terriers don’t suffer fools gladly.
