A member of the terrier group, the Skye Terrier originated on the Isle of Skye off the coast of Scotland. Bred for vermin hunting, this terrier is short on leg, long on body, and has a large head. Elegant, and dignified, this pooch is will hunt, but also enjoys a lazy day on the couch with the family.
Loyalty and devotion are in this breed’s wheelhouse for sure. One famous Skye named “Greyfriar’s Bobby” guarded the grave of his master for 14 years until the dog also passed on the be with his master. A statue was placed in Edinburgh, Scotland in memory of Bobby the Skye Terrier and his unfaltering devotion.
The Skye Terrier requires a devoted master to brush out his long coat or else the tangles will soon become painful mats. Daily brushing and weekly baths keep this dog’s coat manageable and fresh.
Anyone that meets this breed is truly blessed. The Skye Terrier is a rare breed and is dangerously close to extinction. In fact, it is the most endangered of the Vulnerable Native Breeds of the United Kingdom. Experts fear the Skye Terrier could die out within a few generations after only 44 were born in 2012. There are now roughly the same number of Skye Terriers alive in the world as there are tigers, according to figures from breeding clubs in America and Finland.
So if you own a Skye Terrier, consider yourself doubly blessed and treat him like a treasure!
Author: Michelle Toth
Michelle "Shell" Toth is a lifelong resident of Geauga County and is the owner of Shell's Dog Design in Newbury. She is a member of the International Professional Groomers, Inc. and has 30 years of experience in the pet care industry. Shell's Dog Design is committed to responsible pet care solutions and has a pet style for every lifestyle.