Skye Terrier
The Skye Terrier was developed in Scotland on the Isle of Skye during the 1500's, and is thought to be one of the oldest terrier breeds. This region is very rugged and this dog learned to survive there. It was originally used for hunting foxes, badgers and weasels. Its ancestors are thought to be Maltese dogs that survived a Spanish wreck off the island, and the local terriers. It competed in the first dog show ever, the Birmingham Dog Show in 1860. It was a well-established breed in Britain at the beginning of the 1900's and soon after in North America. This dog is long in body, with the desired ratio of length to height being 2:1. The prick ears are a very distinctive feature, but the ears can be either prick or drop.
Height: 10" (25.4cm) for dogs, 9.5" (24.1cm) for bitches
Weight: 19 - 23 lbs (8.5 - 10.3 kg)
Coat Type: The coat is very long. The outer coat is hard and straight with no waves and about 5.5" (14 cm) in length; the undercoat being soft. The hair on the head is shorter forming a veil over the forehead and eyes. It may take up to three years for the coat to develop to its full extent. This long flowing coat of the Skye Terrier, which parts down the back, requires a good deal of grooming on a regular basis to stay clean and untangled.
Temperament: The Skye Terrier is loyal and lively; it is affectionate with its family, but some may be aloof.
Special Interest: The Skye Terrier is in several paintings of Sir Edwin Landseer, an artist famed for depicting dogs in his work. Queen Victoria kept Skye Terriers in her royal kennels and bred them. One of them was immortalized in a painting with her, called "Queen Victoria and Skye Terrier", by W. Nicholson.
Classifications:
AKC: Group 4 - Terriers
CKC: Group 4 - Terriers
KC: Sporting - Terrier Group
FCI: Group 3
ANKC: Group 2 - Terriers
Save to del.icio.us
Save to Digg
