On Scotland’s secluded Isle of Skye, this graceful but tough nobleman was bred as an exterminator. Long, low, and level, Skyes is 9 or 10 inches tall with a long, flat-lying coat and a peekaboo hairstyle. Skyes are famous for their huge, feathery ears that stick up like bat wings, but they can also have ‘drop ears,’ which lie flat on the large, long head. Short, powerful legs and a deep chest are hidden beneath the thick coat. These sleek but hefty terriers are twice as long as they are tall when viewed from the side.
Skye Terrier
courageous / good-tempered / canny
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
10 inches (male)
9.5 inches (female)
Weight
35-45 pounds (male)
slightly lighter (female)
Life Expectancy
12-14 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!
Energy Level
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.
Barking Level
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a Skye Terrier
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
Skye Terriers can sustain disk injuries due to their long and low structure, and Skye puppies should never be allowed to go up and down stairs excessively or jump onto hard surfaces from any height. Skye owners should keep an eye out for any signs of malignancy, including breast cancer and hemangiosarcoma. Autoimmune disease, skin allergies, hip dysplasia, and luxating patellas are among the other problems that conscientious breeders look for.
Grooming
The Skye's long, luxuriant double coat appears more difficult to maintain than it is. It does require weekly brushing and combing with a soft or pin brush and a long-toothed comb to keep it tangle-free, but the breed does not require clipping or scissoring, and the coat should be left in its natural state. Nails should be kept short; a trim every couple of weeks to a month is typically sufficient. To avoid ear infections, check your ears at least once a week and clear out any excess wax or debris. Baths can be given as needed usually once a month is plenty. Scrubbing the coat while shampooing might cause it to mat.
Exercise
The Skye Terrier has minimal exercise requirements and will usually be pleased with whatever amount of activity his owner finds comfortable. Even a brief daily excursion will be beneficial to him both physically and mentally. Skyes enjoy playing with their owners and participating in canine sports, and the breed can be found competing in dog shows, agility, obedience, and earthdog activities.
Training
The Skye is a highly clever but strong-willed breed that is calmer than many terrier types. They are open to training as long as it is constant and done positively. They are sensitive to criticism and will avoid harsh or negative training approaches. They can be stubborn, like other terriers, but they like interacting with their humans and are eager to please. Skye is naturally reticent and should be socialized from an early age to ensure a pleasant and outgoing disposition. There is no more lovely companion for people who understand the character of the breed and raise the dog with affection, correct training, and socialization.
Nutrition
The Skye Terrier should thrive on high-quality dog food, whether purchased commercially or cooked at home with your veterinarian's supervision and consent. Any diet should be tailored to the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to becoming overweight, so keep an eye on your dog's calorie intake and weight level. Treats can be a valuable training aid, but feeding too much can lead to obesity. Discover which human foods are suitable for dogs and which are not. If you have any concerns regarding your dog's weight or diet, consult with your veterinarian. At all times, clean, fresh water should be available.
History
Skye is the largest and most northerly of the Inner Hebrides islands in Scotland. The rough, hard-coated terrier raised by the island’s farmers to manage the fox and badger population became a favorite of British aristocrats in the 1600s, which was an unusual development for a working farm dog. Skye popularity peaked in the late 1800s, when Queen Victoria championed the breed. A historian stated that “a duchess would almost be ashamed to be seen in the park unaccompanied by her long-coated Skye.”