Type the name of the breed you're looking for below
[wpdreams_ajaxsearchlite] Don't see the breed your're looking for? Click here and let us know!
Breed Characteristics
1 paw - breed exhibits the least amount of this characteristic
5 paws - breed exhibits most amount of this characteristic
[fbcomments]
Skye Terrier
| Country of Origin | Scotland |
| Weight | Males: 35 - 40 lbs. (16 - 18 kg) Females: 25 - 30 lbs. (11.5 - 14 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 10 inches (25.5 cm) average. Its length should be twice its height. |
| Coat | The Skye is double coated, with a short, soft undercoat and a hard, straight topcoat. The shorter hair of the head veils the forehead and eyes, forming a moderate beard. The ears are generally well feathered and, in prick-eared examples, the hair normally falls like a fringe, accenting the form, and blending with the side locks. |
| Colour | Fawn, blue, dark or light grey, blonde, and black with black points (ears and muzzle) all occur. They may have any self colour, allowing for some shading of same colour on the body and a lighter undercoat, so long as the nose and ears are black. There is generally no further patterning on the body, but a small white spot on the chest is relatively common. |
| Litter Size | 3 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 12 - 14 years |
| Origin & History | Scotland has long been a stronghold of small plucky terriers, and the Skye Terrier is among the oldest of them. They developed along the west coastal area, where they hunted fox and otter from among the rocky cairns. The purest of these dogs were found on the Isle of Skye, and the dogs were then named Skye Terriers. Skye Terriers were first described in the sixteenth century, when it was already noteworthy for its long coat. Some confusion exists in tracing its history because, for a certain time, several different breeds had the same name "Skye Terrier". The loyal dog, present under the petticoat of Mary, Queen of Scots at her execution, has been ascribed as a Skye Terrier. In 1840, Queen Victoria made the breed fancy, keeping both drop-(floppy) and prick-(upwards) eared dogs. This highly increased its popularity in many of the high societies and among commoners, which are very high class. Soon enough, the Skye Terrier came to America because of its extreme popularity throughout its country and some others. The AKC recognized the breed in 1887, and it quickly rose to the show scene position. Even though this was a strong start and the breed's great appearance, its popularity has dropped. Now it is among one of the least known terriers. Many people are unaware of this breed's old popularity because it is not famous now. |
| Personality | The Skye is very good-natured, loyal, polite, loving and affectionate. Brave, bold, spirited, playful and happy, it loves attention. Can become a bit willful with a meek or passive owner, needing a handler with a natural air of authority. Socialize well with different people, noises and sights. This breed likes to chase; take caution with other small non-canine pets. Do not allow this breed to develop Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where the dog believes it is the boss of the home. When this is allowed to happen the dog’s temperament changes for the worse, and may include such behaviors as dog aggressiveness, suspicion of strangers, overprotectiveness, obsessive barking and, in the worst cases, biting. |
Care Requirements
| Health | While the Skye Terrier is a healthy breed when taken care of, there are some problems with being a smaller dog breed, simply from the way the body is shaped: Degenerative disc disease-In this rare disease, the protective covering on the spinal discs begins to wear down and can cause the dog to feel a lot of pain and have troubles with movement. You might notice that the dog doesn't want to move around a lot and has troubles walking as they normally do. This is not necessarily caused by an injury or genetics, but rather it happens spontaneously and can often resolve on its own as well. Surgery and pain medications are sometimes indicated, depending on the severity. Skye Limp or Puppy Limp-Because of the short legs of the Skye Terrier, it can often have troubles when it's young. If the dog is exercised too often before the age of eight months, the distal radial growth plate can close too quickly, causing the dog to have a limp and even bowed legs. Avoid too much activity in the beginning stages of life-i.e. jumping, longer walks, climbing, etc. Mammary Cancer-This is the leading cause of deaths in Skye Terriers. The cancerous growths grow in the mammary glands and often spread quickly to other parts of the body. Autoimmune Disease-Occurs when the immune system begins to attack the dog's body, causing a myriad of symptoms. Hypothyroidism-When the thyroid glands produce too many hormones, causing the body to lose weight and to move at a quicker than normal rate; it can be controlled by medications and monitoring. Emangiosarcomas-A tumor of the blood vessels that can also cause death. |
| Grooming | If the coat is kept long it needs to be brushed frequently or it will mat. Some owners choose to clip the coat shorter for easier care. It may take several years for the full adult coat to come in. This breed is an average shedder. |
| Exercise | The Skye Terrier needs a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of its exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill its primal instinct to walk. Dogs that do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. These dogs will also enjoy a good romp in a safe, open area off lead, such as a large, fenced-in yard. |
| Other Considerations | The Skye Terrier is good for apartment life. It is relatively active indoors and will do okay without a yard. Under threat; There are concerns that the breed is under threat of extinction with only 30 born in the UK in 2005. It is today the most endangered of the Vulnerable Native Breeds of that country, and within 40 years the breed may disappear completely. |
