Skye Terrier Picture Gallery

Skye Terrier Breeders

Skye Terrier Clubs/Associations

The Full Skye Terrier Description

Skyes are devoted to their owners, but they can be serious, sensitive, and cautious around strangers. They are happiest with gentle children, and love their daily exercise. The Skye's unusual coat must be carefully brushed out several times a week to avoid uncomfortable mats.

Did you know?

The Skye Terrier was a fashionable pet of all degrees after been accepted in court, by the Kings & Queens of England.

So you want to own a Skye Terrier?

The Skye Terrier is cautious with strangers, and often assumes a stern and stand-offish appearance.
The breed is loyal to its owner and forms a strong bond in one to one relationships.
The Skye Terrier displays stamina, courage, strength, and agility.
The Skye Terrier's long beautiful coat may be what attracts you to this breed; make sure you have time to groom the coat weekly to prevent it from matting.
Skye Terriers are easy to exercise and will adjust to city apartment or country home with ease.

Indicative Breed Standard

General Appearance

Long, low and profusely coated, twice as long as high. Moves with seemingly effortless gait. Strong in quarters, body and jaw.

Characteristics

Elegant and dignified.

Temperament

A ‘one-man’ dog, distrustful of strangers, never vicious.

Head and Skull

Long and powerful, strength not sacrificed for extreme length. Moderate width at back of skull, tapering gradually with slight stop to strong muzzle. Nose black.

Eyes

Brown, preferably dark brown, medium in size, close-set and full of expression.

Ears

Prick or drop. When prick, gracefully feathered, not large, erect at outer edges and slanting towards each other at inner edge, from peak to skull. When drop, larger, hanging straight, lying flat and close at front.

Mouth

Jaws strong and level with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck

Long and slightly crested.

Forequarters

Shoulders broad, close to body, chest deep, legs short and muscular.

Body

Long and low, back level. Ribcage oval, deep and long. Short loin. Sides appear flattish due to straight-falling coat.

Hindquarters

Strong, full, well developed and well angulated. Legs short, muscular and straight when viewed from behind. No dewclaws.

Feet

Forefeet larger than hind, pointing truly forward. Pads thick, nails strong.

Tail

When hanging, upper part pendulous and lower half thrown back in a curve. When raised, a prolongation of incline of back, not rising higher or curling up. Gracefully feathered.

Gait/Movement

Legs proceed straight forward when travelling. When approaching, forelegs form a continuation of straight line of front, feet being same distance apart as elbows. Principal propelling power is furnished by hind legs which travel straight forward. Forelegs moving well forward, without too much lift. Whole movement termed free, active and effortless and gives a more or less fluid picture.

Coat

Double. Undercoat short, close, soft and woolly. Outer coat long, hard, straight, flat and free from curl. Hair on head shorter, softer, veiling forehead and eyes. Mingling with side locks, surrounding ears like a fringe and allowing their shape to appear.

Colour

Black, dark or light grey, fawn, cream, all with black points. Any self-colour allowing shading of same colour and lighter undercoat, so long as nose and ears are black. A small white spot on chest permissible.

Size

Ideal height 25-26 cms (10 ins), length from tip of nose to tip of tail 105 cms (411/2 ins). Bitches slightly smaller in same proportions.