Skye Terrier

Breed characteristics

Size: Small-Medium
Exercise: Up to 1 hour per day
Size of home: Small house
Grooming: More than once a week
Coat length: Long
Sheds: Yes
Lifespan: Over 12 years
Vulnerable native breed: Yes
Town or country: Either
Size of garden: Small/ medium garden

One of the original terriers of the Hebrides, the Skye was described by Dr John Caius, Court physician to Elizabeth I in his book “of English Dogges” in 1570. The Skye plays a part in the development in all the terrier breeds of Scotland.

He was used to hunt fox and badger so needed to be game and fearless. Despite these qualities in the field, it is the most loyal and devoted of companions – a quality made legendary in the story of Greyfriars Bobby, a dog owned by a Scottish shepherd. When his master died Bobby returned daily to the grave for 14 years and was fed by local residents. When Bobby died in 1872 a monument was erected in Greyfriars churchyard in Edinburgh. Queen Victoria acquired a Skye in 1842 and this helped to widen popularity of the breed.

The modern Skye is larger and longer and more heavily coated than its ancestors.

Read the breed standard

Images for this breed

The Terrier breed group

Dogs originally bred and used for hunting vermin. 'Terrier' comes from the Latin word Terra, meaning earth. This hardy collection of dogs were selectively bred to be extremely brave and tough, and to pursue fox, badger, rat and otter (to name but a few) above and below ground. Dogs of terrier type have been known here since ancient times, and as early as the Middle Ages, these game breeds were portrayed by writers and painters.

Colour Watch

Category 0: Breeds with no NBS colour registration options.

Read more about Colour Watch.

Breed Standard colours

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

Black
Cream
Cream Black Points
Dark Grey
Fawn
Grey
Light Grey
Silver
Silver Black Points

Other colour/s

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Non-breed-standard colours

Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

Whether you’re thinking of buying a puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. To tackle these issues we advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.

More about health

Important health schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice.

Check inbreeding calculators

Currently there are no additional health screening schemes or DNA tests for this breed. You may want to speak to your breeder, vet or local breed club about any health issues in the breed.

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email:

Sarah Downes

Breed watch

Category 1

Currently no points of concern specific to this breed have been identified for special attention by judges, other than those covered routinely by The Kennel Club's breed standard.