Skye Terrier

Temperament:

Friendly, Fearless, Cheerful
Size: Small
Height: 20-26 cm
Weight: 12-18 kg
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Coat: Longhair
Colors: Black, Gray, Deer Color, Cream
FCI Group: Terriers

This little fellow is a British dog breed recognized by the FCI. It is named after the Isle of Skye, the largest island of the Inner Hebrides, a group of islands on the Scottish coast.

Skye Terrier
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Characteristics

This dog is quite small. He grows to a maximum of 26 cm. But he has grown long and can grow up to 100 cm from the nose to the tip of the tail. So he has the longest back of all terriers. Nevertheless, he does not tend to back problems.

Compared to its size, its coat is extremely long and can sometimes reach the ground. Common coat colors here are black, light gray, dark gray or cream. Characteristic is the black coloring on the ears and the fangs. The top coat of the Skye Terrier is long and smooth, the undercoat is very soft and dense.

As a terrier, this dog also has a distinct character. Therefore, he is only conditionally suitable for beginners. Some Skye Terriers develop a distinct relationship with a single person, but others can get involved with several people. Towards strangers they are often suspicious and dominant, but not aggressive.

The most important thing here is a consistent and strict education. So you can also stop unpleasant barking. This dog is sensitive, but alert. In addition, Skye Terriers are very adaptive. All the more important is a gentle introduction to the environmental conditions.

Coat care:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Shedding:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Energy level:

Little
Medium
High

Trainability:

Little
Medium
Good

Children suitable:

Less
With supervision
Perfect

The right food

Although the Skye Terrier requires a lot of attention from its owner, but in terms of nutrition it is uncomplicated. The only thing to note is that small dogs like this give off a lot of heat. This in turn results in increased fiber metabolism and energy requirements.

On the other hand, the Skye Terrier's stomach is small. Therefore, to meet its energy needs, it needs several, smaller meals throughout the day. There is also food for small breeds, which they can chew more easily and which is geared to the nutritional requirements.

Health & Care

Despite its long coat, the Skye Terrier is easy to groom. It is enough if you reach for the brush and comb him once or twice a week. Practically, the coat grows to a good length. It does not restrict the movement of the little terrier.

Also, as a rule, the fur does not grow over the eyes. This eliminates the need for trimming. The Skye Terrier also hardly sheds. Only you should make sure that you dry the coat after walks. The belly is close to the ground because of the short legs, so it gets wet faster. Urinary tract infections can be favored by it.

Suitable accessories

Since the small terrier is low-maintenance, the basic equipment includes the usual things, such as food and drinking bowl, sleeping place and a suitable brush for grooming. In addition, you should note that this dog needs a lot of employment and exercise.

The Skye Terrier can be challenged with different programs. For example dogdance and tracking are a good training. Here the little bundle of energy finds its balance. Agility and flyball are also good activities. For this, certain toys and treats can be obtained.

Skye Terrier History

Origin & History

Skye Terrier is an old Scottish dog breed. Originally he was bred for hunting otters, badgers and foxes. For this reason, he has a keen sense of smell and is a very good swimmer.

However, the terrier relatively quickly went from being a hunting dog to a fashionable dog. In the 19th century, he became popular in the noble houses. Queen Victoria was so enthusiastic about this breed that she bred it in Windsor Castle. And he also became more and more popular on the European mainland.

In 1872, the city of Edinburgh erected a monument to the Skye Terrier. This was in recognition of his loyalty beyond death. There is a story of a dog named Bobby, who remained at the grave of his owner for 14 years and finally died.

Meanwhile, the Skye Terrier is one of the rarest dog breeds. He is often rejected by people because of his appearance. In 2005, only 30 dogs were born in the United Kingdom.