Skye Terrier breed guide

The Skye is a very intelligent but strong-willed breed, calmer than many terriers. AKC says it is amenable to consistent, positive training, sensitive to correction and withdrawn by harsh methods.

Skye Terriers are known for big feathery ears that stand like bat wings, though some have drop ears that lie flat.

Skye Terriers live 12 to 14 years. Because of the long, low structure they can suffer disk injuries and young Skye Terriers should never go up and down stairs excessively or jump onto hard surfaces from any height.

Owners should watch for signs of cancer such as mammary cancer and hemangiosarcoma and breeders also screen for autoimmune disease, skin allergies, hip dysplasia and luxating patellas.

The long, luxurious double coat looks harder to maintain than it is: it needs weekly brushing and combing with a soft or pin brush and a long-toothed comb to stay free of tangles, but no clipping or scissoring. It should stay natural.

The Skye has minimal exercise needs and is usually content with whatever level of activity suits its owner. Even a short daily outing helps it physically and mentally.

Skye is the largest, most northerly of Scotland's Inner Hebrides islands and in the 1600s the rugged, hard-coated terrier that island farmers bred to control fox and badger became a favorite of British nobles, an unusual development for a working farm dog.

Skye popularity peaked in the late 19th century, when Queen Victoria championed the breed and a historian wrote that a duchess would almost be ashamed to be seen in the park without her long-coated Skye.