Skye Terrier Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Skye Terrier

A Skye Terrier

Origin

Scotland

Classification / standards
FCI	Group 3 Terriers, Section 2 Small #075	standard
AKC	Terrier Group	standard
ANKC	Group 2 (Terriers)	standard
CKC	Group 4 (Terriers)	standard
KC (UK)	Terrier	standard
NZKC	Terrier	standard
UKC	Terriers	standard

Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Skye Terrier is a special type of dog known for its long body and short legs. It's a tough and brave terrier breed. These dogs are originally from Scotland. Sadly, the Skye Terrier is one of the most endangered dog breeds in the United Kingdom today.

What Does a Skye Terrier Look Like?

Skye terriers

Skye Terriers have a unique look with their long bodies and flowing hair. They are quite striking!

Their Coat and Colors

Skye Terriers have a double coat. This means they have two layers of fur. The inner layer is short and soft, like an undercoat. The outer layer is hard and straight, like a topcoat.

The hair on their head is shorter. It covers their forehead and eyes a bit, forming a moderate beard. Their ears usually have lots of hair. If their ears stand up (prick-eared), the hair often falls like a fringe. This highlights the ear shape and blends with the hair on the sides of their face.

Skye Terriers come in several colors. These include fawn, blue, dark grey, light grey, blonde, and black. They always have black points, which means their ears and muzzle are black. They can be one solid color, but it's okay if there are slight shades of that color on their body. Their undercoat might also be a bit lighter. The most important thing is that their nose and ears are black. Sometimes, they have a small white spot on their chest.

Ear Types

Skye Terriers can have two types of ears: prick-eared or drop-eared.

Prick-eared means their ears stand up. They are medium-sized, held high on the head, and point slightly outwards.
Drop-eared means their ears flop down.

There is no big difference between these two types, and one is not preferred over the other.

Caring for a Skye Terrier

Skye Terrier, light grey coat

A Skye Terrier

Skye Terriers were originally hunting dogs. They love to explore safely outdoors every day. They also need a short to medium walk with their owner to stay healthy.

These dogs prefer to live indoors with their families. They should not be kept outside all the time.

Keeping a Skye Terrier's coat neat is quite easy. You just need to comb them about twice a week to prevent tangles. Unlike some other terriers, an occasional bath won't make their coat too soft. Owners should also clean the area around their eyes and mouth often.

Health Concerns for Skye Terriers

It's important to be careful with young Skye Terriers. If they exercise too much when they are very young, especially before 8 months old, it can hurt their bone growth. This can lead to a painful limp or bowed legs.

For the first 8 to 10 months, it's best to avoid activities like jumping, climbing, running, or even very long walks. This helps their bones grow correctly and prevents problems later on.

Some health issues are more common in Skye Terriers:

Degenerative disc disease: This is a common problem for dogs with short legs. About 10% of Skye Terriers might get it. It affects the discs in their spine.
Mammary cancer: This is the main cause of death for Skye Terriers.
Hemangiosarcomas: These are serious tumors that grow in blood vessels.
Autoimmune disease: This is when the body's immune system attacks its own healthy cells.
Hyperthyroidism: This is a condition where the thyroid gland makes too many hormones.

History of the Skye Terrier

A statue of Greyfriars Bobby, a famously loyal Skye Terrier

These dogs were first found on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. That's how they got their name! It can be a bit confusing to trace their history. This is because, for a while, several different dog breeds were all called "Skye Terrier."

There's a famous story about a very loyal dog. This dog was said to be a Skye Terrier. It was with Mary, Queen of Scots when she was executed in 1587.

In 1840, Queen Victoria became a fan of the breed. She owned both drop-eared and prick-eared Skye Terriers. This made the breed very popular. A colorful picture of Skye Terriers was even included in a famous dog book called "The Illustrated Book of the Dog" in 1881.

Because of their growing fame, Skye Terriers came to America. The AKC officially recognized the breed in 1887. They quickly became popular in dog shows. However, their popularity has dropped a lot since then. Today, they are one of the least known terrier breeds. Many people don't realize how popular they once were.

Under Threat

There are worries that the Skye Terrier breed might disappear. In 2005, only 30 Skye Terriers were born in the UK. This makes them the most endangered of the Vulnerable Native Breeds in that country. Experts fear that the breed could vanish completely within 40 years if their numbers don't increase.