The Skye Terrier: A Complete Guide

The Skye Terrier is a fearless, agile chaser with lightning reflexes. He should never be letoff leash unless in a safe, enclosed area.

This dog has always been more than a vermin-buster in a fancy coat. He’s bold and confident, but he’s also friendly, happy, and devoted to his people.

Strangers who wait for him to make the first move will find he accepts them as well. But only once he’s decided they aren’t pushy or a threat.

When it comes to training, he has a mind of his own. But he’s sensitive and responds positively to a firm handler and positive reinforcement techniques.

The Skye Terrier is ready to take on other dogs of any size, and he shouldn’t be left alone with small furry pets. They might mistake them for lunch.

The Skye Terrier is great with well-behaved kids.

On the plus side, he’s a very effective watchdog and more low profile compared to other terriers.

His small size makes him adaptable to any environment, including an apartment or condo. But his barking might annoy the neighbors.

While the Skye Terrier isn’t needy, he expects his fair share of your affection and attention.

Neglect him and he will inform you of your error by digging, chewing, and barking to express his irritation.

The Skye Terrier believes in a give and take relationship. If you treat him with respect, shower him with attention, and give him plenty of affection, he will also give you the same back.

A Skye Terrier will always make you laugh. But when you need to cry, he and his long coat will be there to absorb your tears.

Skye Terrier Puppies – Before You Buy…

What Price are Skye Terrier Puppies?

The price of Skye Terrier puppies is between $700 and $900.

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How to Find Reputable Skye Terrier Breeders?

Get references for a breeder from your veterinarian, local breed clubs, and professional dog shows. Always visit the breeder’s facility. Visit all the areas that their dogs and puppies spend time in.

Note if it is clean, has ample room, and is in good condition.

The space should serve the need of the dogs. There should also be enough space for play and exercise. Ask the breeder for references from previous clients. Contact them!

Search for a breeder who has strong relationships with veterinarians and are willing to show the dog’s health records.

The breeder will ask you just as many questions about yourself, your lifestyle, your home, and your family. This will ensure that you and the puppy are a good match.

If the breeder doesn’t offer a contract that describes their role and yours, beware! Don’t cut corners. Spend time and effort into finding a good breeder.

Your puppy is a serious and long-term commitment. The time that you devote to finding the best breeder will ensure that you are bringing home a happy and healthy dog.

3 Little-Known Facts About Skye Terrier Puppies

  1. The Skye Terrier is an old breed that originated more than four centuries ago on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
  3. The breed has not always been known as the Skye Terrier. He has also been called the Paisley Terrier, the Glasgow Terrier, the Silky Skye Terrier, the Fancy Skye, and the Clydesdale Terrier.
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Physical Traits of the Skye Terrier

The Skye Terrier is loyal and brave.

The Skye Terrier has a sophisticated appearance. His head is long with a slight stop. His ears can be folded or prick, black, and heavily feathered.

His tail is also well-feathered and hangs down, a unique trait for a terrier breed. The medium-sized eyes are brown and alert. His nose is black, and his teeth meet in a scissors bite.

The Skye Terrier’s neck is long and arched. His feet are long and point straight forward. His coat can be blue, black, fawn, cream, or gray, with some darker points.

Long bangs that cover the eyes are a trademark of the breed.

The Skye Terrier’s coat should be brushed at least once a week with a pin brush. Before brushing, make sure to mist the coat with water so that the hair does not break.

Baths are required every two to three weeks, depending on the dog’s activity level.

Check the ears on a weekly basis for signs of infection, irritation, or wax build up. Cleanse them regularly using a cotton ball and a veterinarian-approved cleanser.

Brush their teeth regularly to fight gum disease and prevent tartar from building up.

How Big is a Full-Grown Skye Terrier?

The Skye Terrier stands at 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs about 25 to 40 pounds.

What is the Life Expectancy of the Skye Terrier?

The lifespan of the Skye Terrier is about 12 to 14 years.

Intelligence, Temperament and Personality Traits of the Skye Terrier

Skye Terriers demand to be the center of attention all the time. He will do whatever it requires maintaining that attention, including making mischief around the house.

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Inside the house, they are very laid back. They are happy to laze around on the couch and curl up on the first available lap.

But they do enjoy getting out and moving several times a day. They are avid chasers and will bolt after anything that moves, no matter how big or how small.

The Skye Terrier is unafraid in the face of danger. They are very independent and don’t like being told what to do.

The Skye Terrier is loving, affectionate, and mostly good-natured.

But they are affectionate and loyal dogs who adore their immediate family and make good companion animals. Skye Terriers are not for softies who are prone to bend the rules.

Training should begin early and be conducted with excited praise and lots of treats to keep them interested.

Absolute consistency is a must to raise a well-behaved Skye Terrier because they see rule-bending as an open invitation to take over.

No matter how frustrating your training sessions, you should never physically correct a Skye Terrier.

Harsh discipline will cause him to become defensive. He can also bite, even if all you’re doing is pushing his bottom down into a sit position.

Skye Terriers have an independent streak, but they are also quite needy. They don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time.

If your Skye terrier is feeling ignored or abandoned, he will inform you by chewing, digging, relieving himself indoors, or barking excessively.

Proper exercise can help stave off these behaviors. But Skye Terriers are perfect for people who have flexible schedules, for families with a stay at home parent, and for retirees.

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Skye Terriers have a strong desire to chase, so they don’t do well in homes with cats or other small animals.

Outdoors, Skye Terriers should be kept on a leash or in a fenced yard, both for his safety and the safety of other animals.

In the yard, however, your Skye Terrier should always be supervised because these dogs like to dig.

Skye Terriers can be dog aggressive. They can do just fine living with another dog, as long as they are raised together.

But strange dogs can expect to be greeted with a lot of barking and grousing. They aren’t afraid to pick fights with larger dogs.

The Skye Terrier’s Diet

The Skye Terrier’s diet should be high quality and should consist of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Make sure to include fruits and vegetables. Otherwise, your Skye Terrier might develop health problems later on.

Additionally, even if your Skye Terrier is very active, that does not mean that you are allowed to overfeed him. This breed is prone to weight gain, so make sure to carefully monitor his diet.

How Much Exercise Does a Skye Terrier Need?

Skye Terriers can adjust to any living arrangement, be it a small apartment or a sprawling estate.

They need to get exercise every day, but a brisk walk around your neighborhood or a couple of rounds of chasing balls will satisfy their daily activity requirement.

However, they do not have the drive, athleticism, or endurance to jog or take long hikes. They are better suited for families who like to spend their time indoors.

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Skye Terrier Health and Conditions

Breed health concerns for the Skye Terrier may include chronic hepatitis and back problems.

They can also suffer from renal dysplasia, ectopic ureters, hypochondroplasia, chronic hepatitis, glaucoma, foramen magnum dysplasia, glaucoma, and Skye limp.

My Final Thoughts on the Skye Terrier

The Skye Terrier is loyal, brave, loving, affectionate, and mostly good-natured. He loves being around his family. He is pretty friendly towards strangers, but not just with anyone.

He is more aloof towards unfamiliar dogs and might be even aggressive around them. The Skye Terrier is known for being sensitive, but never submissive.

He is very easy to train but he might be stubborn as well. This can put off inexperienced dog owners.

This dog breed is also known for having a long memory. He does not like being ignored or treated badly.

The Skye Terrier also needs more socialization because of his suspicious nature. Take him to dog parks and allow him to meet other dogs and people and teach him the proper behavior.

The Skye Terrier is a great family dog that goes well with children, as long as they are well-behaved and old enough to understand how to act in a dog’s presence.

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