Skye Terrier

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Description

This small, good natured breed is often thought of as an elegant looking breed. The Skye Terrier has a sturdy bone structure and hard muscles that surround its body. Twice as long as it is high, the Skye Terrier sits low to the ground, but carries its long fur coat well. The fur around its face helps to both protect the mouth and eyes from outside obstacles, but also creates a feathered look that's both distinctive and graceful.

Generally standing with its head help up high, the Skye Terrier trots along with a steady gait, tail dangling to the ground. The brown eyes are earnest and the darker they are, the better. The coat is well feathered ideally, and has two coats - one undercoat and one outer coat.

This low sitting terrier has a strong muzzle feature as well as a black nose and a jaw that sets the teeth in a scissors bite. The feet should be pointing straight forward, almost as though it were a hare.

Affectionate and well-mannered, the Skye Terrier is a delightful addition to any family, but will require a lot of attention to be happy and satisfied. Playful and genuinely loving, the Skye Terrier is a breed that is suitable in most environment settings and locations.

History

The Skye Terrier's history is one that is widely disputed. Some believe that the Skye Terrier came from the story of a shipwreck. It is thought that in the 1600s, a ship from Spain crashed against the rocks of the island of Skye. When this happened, the survivors included Maltese dogs that then interbred with the local terriers. This new breed even became popular with Queen Victoria in the 1800s.

Others seem to believe that the Skye Terrier is actually a cross between the Celtic terriers and the Swedish Vallhund of the Viking invaders, or perhaps these breeds then mated with the Maltese.

Temperament

Loving and affectionate, the Skye Terrier doesn't anger easily. Almost polite in nature and an easy going breed, this type of terrier is often seen at dog shows and breeding competitions because of its ability to interact with strangers without any troubles.
However, this good nature must be nurtured from the early puppy years. The Skye Terrier needs to have extensive socialization with people when they are young in order to be calm around people. When the puppy is not raised in the presence of others, they can become nervous around strangers as well as overly protective of their family.

Loyal in nature, the Skye Terrier is the perfect fit for a loving family that is able to give the terrier a lot of attention. In order to be happy, the Skye Terrier needs to have a lot of interaction with people. This will mean you need to play with this breed on a regular basis, and while it may be left alone, longer periods of isolation are not suggested.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Skye Terrier who is nervous around strangers may have troubles when those same strangers go to touch them. These terriers can bite and bark at people they don't feel comfortable around, so this is something to realize when you are introducing your dog to friends and family.

The Skye Terrier is also a natural chaser, which can lead to troubles in outdoor settings if they are not on a leash. They will run after smaller animals and other moving things, if they catch their eye. Other dogs can also become the target of their chase, if they feel they are being provoked. A bit aggressive with other dogs, the Skye Terrier is also prone to barking when it is upset or wants to express their discomfort.

The Skye Terrier may not be the best fit for a home with children and smaller pets, as it can become a situation in which this dog becomes aggressive to these inhabitants. Unless you are familiar with the background of the terrier and know that it has been socialized, this may not be the best choice for this kind of home.

But for the single or the older couple, the Skye Terrier is often a great choice as it requires little activity. It will also alert the owners of strangers, making it a great guard dog, if only for the barking alerts.


Personality

The Skye is brave, good-natured, and loyal to his own family. He doesn't make friends with just anyone and prefers people to take their time in approaching him. He's reserved and cautious toward strangers, traits that make him an excellent watchdog.

The Skye has been called canny, a Scottish word with a variety of meanings, all of which can be applied to almost any terrier--prudent, astute, skilled, and steady. He's sensitive but not submissive with a mind of his own.

He has a long memory and will remember slights or mistreatment. Skyes like to be part of the family and will become bored, wilful, and unhappy if neglected.

Height and Weight

The ideal height for a Skye Terrier is 10 inches for a male and 9.5 inches for a female. Generally a Skye Terrier weighs 25 to 40 pounds.