Skye Terrier

The Skye Terrier is a long, low Scottish terrier from the Isle of Skye and the western Highlands, developed to hunt vermin, fox, badger, and otter in rough country. Its outline is easy to recognize: a sturdy body much longer than it is tall, a strong head, feathered prick or drop ears, and a hard outer coat that falls over a softer undercoat. Coat colors include shades such as black, blue, gray, fawn, and cream, usually with darker points.

A Skye Terrier can be devoted to its household yet reserved with strangers, so early socialization is important. The coat must be brushed down to the skin to prevent mats, with attention to the ears, feet, and furnishings; pet trims reduce work but do not remove the need for maintenance. Moderate exercise suits most adults, while excess weight and repeated jumping are unkind to the breed's long back. Skyes are uncommon today, and preservation-minded breeders usually discuss temperament, orthopedic soundness, and the value of maintaining a small gene pool responsibly.

Colors: Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Dark Gray, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Light Gray, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, Yellow