^© The Kennel Club - Unauthorised Reproduction of Text and Images Prohibited

The Kennel Club Picture Library - © David Dalton

General Appearance
Long, low and profusely coated, twice as long as high. Moves with seemingly effortless gait. Strong in quarters, body and jaw.

Characteristics
Elegant and dignified.

Temperament
A ‘one-man’ dog, distrustful of strangers, never vicious.

Head and Skull
Long and powerful, strength not sacrificed for extreme length. Moderate width at back of skull, tapering gradually with slight stop to strong muzzle. Nose black.

Eyes
Brown, preferably dark brown, medium in size, close-set and full of expression.

Ears
Prick or drop. When prick, gracefully feathered, not large, erect at outer edges and slanting towards each other at inner edge, from peak to skull. When drop, larger, hanging straight, lying flat and close at front.

Mouth
Jaws strong and level with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
Long and slightly crested.

Forequarters
Shoulders broad, close to body, chest deep, legs short and muscular.

Body
Long and low, back level. Ribcage oval, deep and long. Short loin. Sides appear flattish due to straight-falling coat.

Hindquarters
Strong, full, well developed and well angulated. Legs short, muscular and straight when viewed from behind. No dewclaws.

Feet
Forefeet larger than hind, pointing truly forward. Pads thick, nails strong.

Tail
When hanging, upper part pendulous and lower half thrown back in a curve. When raised, a prolongation of incline of back, not rising higher or curling up. Gracefully feathered.

Gait/Movement
Legs proceed straight forward when travelling. When approaching, forelegs form a continuation of straight line of front, feet being same distance apart as elbows. Principal propelling power is furnished by hind legs which travel straight forward. Forelegs moving well forward, without too much lift. Whole movement termed free, active and effortless and gives a more or less fluid picture.

Coat
Double. Undercoat short, close, soft and woolly. Outer coat long, hard, straight, flat and free from curl. Hair on head shorter, softer, veiling forehead and eyes. Mingling with side locks, surrounding ears like a fringe and allowing their shape to appear.

Colour
Black, dark or light grey, fawn, cream, all with black points. Any self-colour allowing shading of same colour and lighter undercoat, so long as nose and ears are black. A small white spot on chest permissible.

Size
Ideal height 25-26 cms (10 ins), length from tip of nose to tip of tail 105 cms (411/2 ins). Bitches slightly smaller in same proportions.

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - September 2000

Glossary of Canine Terms

Health Information

The Kennel Club operates health screening schemes with other organisations.  Some are clinical veterinary screening schemes and some are DNA screening schemes, which may be relevant to this breed.

The current health screening requirements and recommendations for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders of this breed show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by an Accredited Breeder.

Breed specific summary results from the Purebred Dog Health Survey in 2004 are available.  Individual summaries are only available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

The Kennel Club Illustrated Breed Standards Containing full descriptive standards for 192 breeds, as well as representation for the six Kennel Club recognised breeds that are currently without standards, this beautifully illustrated volume is a must for all dog enthusiasts. This third edition has been completely revised and updated by a panel of experts and incorporates the very latest standards for breeds in each group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

• SKYE TERRIER CLUB. Sec. Mrs S Breeze. Tel No: Not available, please contact the Kennel Club.

This breed of dog is a 'Vulnerable Native Breed'.

Date:

Last updated on:

Categories:

Discover Dogs, Terrier Group 

This article has been read 22041 times.