The Skye terrier is a very striking dog. Small, with an elongated body and a bushy, long coat, this dog is one of the rarest of the terriers and undoubtedly one of the most elegant dog breeds. Their long ears covered with long, straight, coarse hair are the most notable feature of this breed. In the past, these dogs were used to hunt burrowing animals, but today this practice has fallen into disuse and Skye Terriers are ideal pets to have in small flats, due to their low need for physical activity. Also, these dogs are excellent companions for the elderly as they need a lot of company and cannot be left alone for a long period of time, otherwise they can become aggressive or suffer from separation anxiety.
If you want to adopt a Skye terrier and want to know everything about them, don't miss this breed file on our site in which we are going to give you all the information you need to get to know these small dogs better.
Origin of the Skye terrier
This breed appears to be one of the oldest of all the terrier breeds and dogs of this type were described as far back as the 16th century. Bred to hunt burrowing animals, the Skye Terrier ranks alongside the Afghan Hound among the most attractive and graceful hunting dogs of all. The name of this breed derives from its place of origin, the Isle of Skye off the Scottish coast.
In 1840 the breed gained popularity among the aristocracy of the United Kingdom, due to Queen Victoria's fondness for these dogs. This popularity, however, has not surpassed the passage of time and this breed is one of the least widespread today.
Physical characteristics of the Skye terrier
The ideal height at the withers for males is 25 to 26 centimeters. The ideal length for males, from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, is 103 centimeters. Females are slightly smaller, but maintain the same proportions.
The FCI breed standard does not indicate an ideal weight, but Skye terriers tend to be around 11 kilograms, with males being slightly heavier than females. The body of this dog is short and elongated According to the breed standard, it must be twice as long as it is tall, which gives it a particular morphology. The deep chest and length of the body could be that of a tall dog, and contrast nicely with the short but muscular legs of the Skye terrier.
The head is powerful, long and moderately wide. The strong and symmetrical muzzle ends in a black nose. The medium eyes are brown, preferably dark, and very expressive. The ears can be erect or hanging, but in any case they are covered with the abundant long hair characteristic of the breed
The Skye Terrier's tail is covered in abundant fringes, giving it an elegant appearance that harmonizes with the rest of the body. When the dog is active it lifts its tail, but never higher than horizontal.
The hair of the Skye terrier is perhaps one of its most remarkable characteristics and the one that gives the breed greater elegance. It is a double coat formed by an inner layer of short, thick, soft and woolly hair, and an outer layer of long, hard, straight, flattened hair without curlsMay be black, grey, fawn, or cream in color with dark markings. It can also be any solid color, as long as it has shades of the same color, the undercoat is lighter, and the ears and nose are black.
Skye terrier character
The elegant and graceful appearance of these dogs hides their true tenacious and brave character The Skyes are very loyal and affectionate dogs with their own, but they tend to be more affectionate with one person, which is why they are considered "one-owner dogs."
It is very important to start socializing these dogs early because as adults they tend to be reserved with strangers and can even be aggressive. With other dogs and with other pets they tend to be aggressive, either due to territoriality, social hierarchy, competition or predation. However, when well socialized, Skye terriers can readily accept people and familiar dogs, although they will never be the friendliest dogs out there.
On the other hand, although they tend to be reserved with strangers, these dogs need a lot of company and just seeing them from time to time is not enough when. They do not tolerate long periods of solitude well and need to be with their family as much as possible.
These dogs can be excellent pets for older people or for young people who do not have children. That yes, the owners must have a lot of time to be with their pets or, failing that, be able to take their Skye terrier to work so that they are not left alone. These dogs are not good pets for families with children, because they tend to bite when disturbed or when they feel threatened.
Skye terrier care
The hair of these terriers does not require special care, but it takes more time than for other breeds. It is necessary to brush the hair three or four times a week so that it does not get tangled. In addition, it is a useful practice to reduce the amount of hair on furniture and clothing, since Skyes shed regularly It is not necessary to bathe these dogs with very often, but only when they are dirty.
Skye terriers do not require much exercise and one or two moderate walks each day may be enough to keep them fit. What they do demand in great quantity is company, so it is not good to leave them alone for a long time.
Because of their small size and low demand for exercise, these dogs can live well in a small apartment. Also, unlike other terriers, their calm nature makes them ideal for city life. They can also benefit from a garden where they can play and run freely, but they must live inside the house with the rest of the family.
Skye terrier education
In addition to proper socialization, it is important to follow a good training program in order to control the dogs and maintain a harmonious coexistence. The ideal is a canine obedience program that focuses on essential aspects of a pet and not just competitive exercises. Training must be carried out with positive methods, since these dogs are very sensitive to punishment and do not tolerate well traditional methods based on correcting misbehavior through punishment, like no other animal.
Among the canine behavior problems that this breed usually presents, are aggressiveness (when dogs are not properly socialized) and separation anxiety. Both problems are related to improper treatment by the breeder and the owner, and have a solution based on dog training, socialization and proper behavioral management.
Skye terrier he alth
This breed, while tending to be he althy, does exhibit some distinctive he alth problems. Some of these problems have to do with the particular morphology of Skye terriers, while others are common to several dog breeds. Problems common to the breed include:
- spinal problems
- bone deformities in extremities and arthritis
- cancer
- autoimmune diseases
- allergies
- thyroid gland dysfunctions
Even if you don't suffer from any disease, it is advisable to go to the veterinary every 6 months to prevent and detect any he alth problem, and follow the Skye terrier vaccination schedule.
