Post by charmingnancy on Aug 11, 2009 13:20:40 GMT -5
Skye Terrier
Group: 4- Terriers
Origin: Scotland
Purpose: Go to ground after badgers, foxes, otters and rabbits
Description:
An alert terrier with great style, elegance and dignity, gay with friends and reserved with strangers. A working terrier, capable of overtaking its game and going to ground, displaying stamina, courage, strength and agility.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
Coat and Colour: Coat double. Undercoat short close, soft and woolly. Outercoat 5 1/2 inches (14 cm) with no extra credit for any greater length. Hard, straight and flat. Body coat hanging straight down each side, parting from head to tail, Hair on head shorter, softer and veiling forehead and eyes, with moderate beard and apron. On ears, overhanging inside, falling down and mingling with side locks, surrounding the ears like a fringe and allowing their shape to appear. Any colour, including but not limited to black, dark or light blue, grey, fawn, or cream. Shade of head and legs should approximate that of body. In dogs of all colours, muzzle, ears, and tip of tail are preferably dark.
Head: Should be long and powerful, with slight stop, but never coarse. Strength should not be sacrificed for extreme length. Moderate width at back of skull tapering gradually to a strong muzzle. Muzzle dark and nose always black. Powerful jaws and mouth, incisor teeth closing level or upper teeth just fitting over lower. Eyes brown, preferably dark brown. Medium size, close set, full of life and intelligence. Ears (prick or drop) gracefully feathered and symmetrical. When prick, not large, erect at outer edges and slightly wider apart at peak than at skull, should be placed high on skull. When drop, placed lower on head; larger ears are permitted and they should hang flat against the skull.
Neck: Long and gracefully arched.
Forequarters: Straight front. Good layback of shoulders with tight placement of shoulder blades at withers. Elbows close to body. Legs short, muscular and straight.
Body: Pre-eminently long and low. Back level. Chest deep. Ribs a deep oval giving a flattish appearance to sides.
Hindquarters: Full, well developed and moderately angulated. Legs short, muscular and straight when viewed from behind. No dewclaws. Large hare feet pointing forward. Pads thick. Nails strong and preferably black.
Tail: When hanging, upper section pendulous, and following line of rump; lower section thrown back in a gentle arc. When raised, a prolongation of the line of the back. Though not preferred, sometimes carried high when happy, excited, or angry. When this is a matter of spirit, not conformation, no penalty should follow. Well feathered.
Gait: The legs should be carried straight forward when traveling. When approaching, the forelegs should form a continuation of the straight line of the front without paddling or weaving, the feet being the same distance apart as the elbows. The principal propelling power is furnished by the hind legs and should be straight forward without weaving. The whole movement should be fluid without waddle or bounce. Movement is important in a Skye Terrier since conformation may be concealed by a profuse coat. Therefore, the dog must be in motion to reveal its true conformation.
Faults: Dogs at shoulder over 12 inches (30 cm) and bitches over 11 1/2 inches (29 cm). Dogs under 8 inches (20 cm.) and bitches under 7 1/2 inches (19 cm). These measurements are definite limits and any height over or under is to be considered a very serious fault. Any softness or curl of outercoat A single or sparse coat. Lack of ear or face curtains. Short, weak or coarse head. Snipey muzzle. Nose any colour other than black. Wry mouth. Undershot or overshot jaw. Light or yellow-coloured eyes. Ears that are not symmetrical. Prick ears that are low set. Semi-prick ears. Drop-ears with a lift. Lazy carriage of prick ears. Short neck. Fiddle front or out at elbows. Straight shoulders. Shoulder blades wide apart at withers. Weak or crooked front legs. High on leg or cobbiness. Sway back or roach back. Shallow or barrel chest. Weak hindquarters. Straight stifles Weak or crooked hind legs as viewed from behind. Cow-hocks. Dew-claws on hind legs. Splay, paper, or catfoot. Tail with twist or curl or continuously carried above the line of the back. Tail poorly feathered.
Size:
Ideal measurements - Dogs, height at shoulders 10 inches (25 cm); length, chest bone over tail at rump 20 inches (51 cm); head 8 1/2 inches (22 cm); tail 9 inches (23 cm). Bitch, height at shoulder 9 1/2 inches (24 cm); length chest bone over tail at rump 19 inches (48 cm); head, 8 inches (20 cm); tail 8 1/2 inches (22 cm).
A slightly higher or lower dog of either sex is acceptable, providing body, head and tail dimensions are proportionately longer or shorter. It should be noted that the ideal ratio of body length to shoulder height is 2 to 1.
The height and length measurements should be taken with the Skye standing in a natural position with the feet well under it. A box caliper is used, vertically and horizontally. For the height, the top bar should be across the back at the highest point of the withers. The head is measured from the tip of the nose to the back of the occipital bone, and the tail from its root to tip.
Temperament:
Fearless, good-tempered, loyal and canny; never shy or ill-tempered.
Health:
Health issues include premature closure of distal radius, copper toxicosis, and hypothyroidism.
Average Lifespan:
12 - 14 years. This breed is relatively long-lived.
History:
Developed in possibly the sixteenth century, they are named after their ancient homeland the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides which is off the coast of Scotland. They are thought to be relative to the Cairn Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Scottish Terrier and Sealyham Terrier. Queen Victoria is said to have bred the Skye Terrier in her royal kennels.
There are a few theories to the origin of the breed. First, some believe the Waternish Terrier was the real beginning Skye Terrier, which was an ancestor of the Cairn Terrier and the Australian Terrier. Others believe the breed originated from Maltese type dogs that came from a shipwreck, and went to land and bred with the native dogs in the 1600s. The Maltese shipwreck theory is one that has plagued many dog breed origin theories. The breed was originally called the Terrier of the Western Islands, eventually finding his way to the largest island in the Inner Hebrides, the Isle of Skye. Apparently an old Scottish motto has helped describe the history of the changes in the breed, referring to the fact that one should not mess with a good terrier.
The Skye Terrier was originally bred to go to ground after badgers, foxes, otters and rabbits. They haven't changed much since their previous years, although one difference is that their ears used to be more often drop than erect. Only until 1890 did the erect ear become popular and the drop ear become hardly seen anymore. For a time, the Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier were believed to be the same breed, with Cairns simply being called Short-haired Skyes.
There is a story of a famous Skye Terrier named Bobby. In 1858, a shepherd without family or friends died and was laid to rest in Greyfriars' Churchyard in Edinburgh. His little dog stayed and slept on his grave for many years. The dog would not leave him, except to go the cafe that he and his owner used to go to every day. He would go there, get a meal, and return back to his masters' grave site. The little dog was so dedicated that he stayed there until he died years later. A monument was erected for the dog's incredible vigilance and faithfulness near the churchyard.
Sources:
Skye Canada
Puppy Dog Web
Pictures:
Photobucket
Group: 4- Terriers
Origin: Scotland
Purpose: Go to ground after badgers, foxes, otters and rabbits
Description:
An alert terrier with great style, elegance and dignity, gay with friends and reserved with strangers. A working terrier, capable of overtaking its game and going to ground, displaying stamina, courage, strength and agility.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
Coat and Colour: Coat double. Undercoat short close, soft and woolly. Outercoat 5 1/2 inches (14 cm) with no extra credit for any greater length. Hard, straight and flat. Body coat hanging straight down each side, parting from head to tail, Hair on head shorter, softer and veiling forehead and eyes, with moderate beard and apron. On ears, overhanging inside, falling down and mingling with side locks, surrounding the ears like a fringe and allowing their shape to appear. Any colour, including but not limited to black, dark or light blue, grey, fawn, or cream. Shade of head and legs should approximate that of body. In dogs of all colours, muzzle, ears, and tip of tail are preferably dark.
Head: Should be long and powerful, with slight stop, but never coarse. Strength should not be sacrificed for extreme length. Moderate width at back of skull tapering gradually to a strong muzzle. Muzzle dark and nose always black. Powerful jaws and mouth, incisor teeth closing level or upper teeth just fitting over lower. Eyes brown, preferably dark brown. Medium size, close set, full of life and intelligence. Ears (prick or drop) gracefully feathered and symmetrical. When prick, not large, erect at outer edges and slightly wider apart at peak than at skull, should be placed high on skull. When drop, placed lower on head; larger ears are permitted and they should hang flat against the skull.
Neck: Long and gracefully arched.
Forequarters: Straight front. Good layback of shoulders with tight placement of shoulder blades at withers. Elbows close to body. Legs short, muscular and straight.
Body: Pre-eminently long and low. Back level. Chest deep. Ribs a deep oval giving a flattish appearance to sides.
Hindquarters: Full, well developed and moderately angulated. Legs short, muscular and straight when viewed from behind. No dewclaws. Large hare feet pointing forward. Pads thick. Nails strong and preferably black.
Tail: When hanging, upper section pendulous, and following line of rump; lower section thrown back in a gentle arc. When raised, a prolongation of the line of the back. Though not preferred, sometimes carried high when happy, excited, or angry. When this is a matter of spirit, not conformation, no penalty should follow. Well feathered.
Gait: The legs should be carried straight forward when traveling. When approaching, the forelegs should form a continuation of the straight line of the front without paddling or weaving, the feet being the same distance apart as the elbows. The principal propelling power is furnished by the hind legs and should be straight forward without weaving. The whole movement should be fluid without waddle or bounce. Movement is important in a Skye Terrier since conformation may be concealed by a profuse coat. Therefore, the dog must be in motion to reveal its true conformation.
Faults: Dogs at shoulder over 12 inches (30 cm) and bitches over 11 1/2 inches (29 cm). Dogs under 8 inches (20 cm.) and bitches under 7 1/2 inches (19 cm). These measurements are definite limits and any height over or under is to be considered a very serious fault. Any softness or curl of outercoat A single or sparse coat. Lack of ear or face curtains. Short, weak or coarse head. Snipey muzzle. Nose any colour other than black. Wry mouth. Undershot or overshot jaw. Light or yellow-coloured eyes. Ears that are not symmetrical. Prick ears that are low set. Semi-prick ears. Drop-ears with a lift. Lazy carriage of prick ears. Short neck. Fiddle front or out at elbows. Straight shoulders. Shoulder blades wide apart at withers. Weak or crooked front legs. High on leg or cobbiness. Sway back or roach back. Shallow or barrel chest. Weak hindquarters. Straight stifles Weak or crooked hind legs as viewed from behind. Cow-hocks. Dew-claws on hind legs. Splay, paper, or catfoot. Tail with twist or curl or continuously carried above the line of the back. Tail poorly feathered.
Size:
Ideal measurements - Dogs, height at shoulders 10 inches (25 cm); length, chest bone over tail at rump 20 inches (51 cm); head 8 1/2 inches (22 cm); tail 9 inches (23 cm). Bitch, height at shoulder 9 1/2 inches (24 cm); length chest bone over tail at rump 19 inches (48 cm); head, 8 inches (20 cm); tail 8 1/2 inches (22 cm).
A slightly higher or lower dog of either sex is acceptable, providing body, head and tail dimensions are proportionately longer or shorter. It should be noted that the ideal ratio of body length to shoulder height is 2 to 1.
The height and length measurements should be taken with the Skye standing in a natural position with the feet well under it. A box caliper is used, vertically and horizontally. For the height, the top bar should be across the back at the highest point of the withers. The head is measured from the tip of the nose to the back of the occipital bone, and the tail from its root to tip.
Temperament:
Fearless, good-tempered, loyal and canny; never shy or ill-tempered.
Health:
Health issues include premature closure of distal radius, copper toxicosis, and hypothyroidism.
Average Lifespan:
12 - 14 years. This breed is relatively long-lived.
History:
Developed in possibly the sixteenth century, they are named after their ancient homeland the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides which is off the coast of Scotland. They are thought to be relative to the Cairn Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Scottish Terrier and Sealyham Terrier. Queen Victoria is said to have bred the Skye Terrier in her royal kennels.
There are a few theories to the origin of the breed. First, some believe the Waternish Terrier was the real beginning Skye Terrier, which was an ancestor of the Cairn Terrier and the Australian Terrier. Others believe the breed originated from Maltese type dogs that came from a shipwreck, and went to land and bred with the native dogs in the 1600s. The Maltese shipwreck theory is one that has plagued many dog breed origin theories. The breed was originally called the Terrier of the Western Islands, eventually finding his way to the largest island in the Inner Hebrides, the Isle of Skye. Apparently an old Scottish motto has helped describe the history of the changes in the breed, referring to the fact that one should not mess with a good terrier.
The Skye Terrier was originally bred to go to ground after badgers, foxes, otters and rabbits. They haven't changed much since their previous years, although one difference is that their ears used to be more often drop than erect. Only until 1890 did the erect ear become popular and the drop ear become hardly seen anymore. For a time, the Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier were believed to be the same breed, with Cairns simply being called Short-haired Skyes.
There is a story of a famous Skye Terrier named Bobby. In 1858, a shepherd without family or friends died and was laid to rest in Greyfriars' Churchyard in Edinburgh. His little dog stayed and slept on his grave for many years. The dog would not leave him, except to go the cafe that he and his owner used to go to every day. He would go there, get a meal, and return back to his masters' grave site. The little dog was so dedicated that he stayed there until he died years later. A monument was erected for the dog's incredible vigilance and faithfulness near the churchyard.
Sources:
Skye Canada
Puppy Dog Web
Pictures:
Photobucket