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The Skye Terrier is a Scottish dog breed that is a long, low, hardy terrier and "one of the most endangered native dog breeds in the United Kingdom" according to the Kennel Club.
| Skye Terrier | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 A Skye Terrier | |||||||||||||
| Origin | Scotland | ||||||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||
Appearance
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Coat
editThe Skye is double coated with a short, soft undercoat and a hard, straight topcoat. The shorter hair of the head veils the forehead and eyes, forming a moderate beard. The ears are generally well feathered and, in prick-eared examples, the hair normally falls like a fringe, accenting the form, and blending with the side locks.
Colour
editFawn, dark or light silver-grey, and cream are the standard colours. Regardless of colour all Skye terriers should have black points on their ears. muzzle and nose. There is generally no further patterning on the body, but a small white spot on the chest is relatively common.
Types
editExcept for the shape and size of the ears, there is no significant difference nor preference given between the prick- and drop-eared types. When prick, they are medium-sized, carried high on the skull and angled slightly outwards.
Health
editIn 1998, 'Skye terrier hepatitis' was described from biopsies of the livers of nine related Skye Terriers.[1] This condition is not known in any other breed and the aetiology is unknown. It causes severe liver disease with scar tissue formation that may progress to cirrhosis. Researchers with the Cambridge University Department of Veterinary Medicine found that the condition is not actually a form of hepatitis. Prognosis varies between dogs and no gene has been identified as causing the condition nor has any heritability been properly demonstrated.[2]
A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 12.4 years from a sample of 39 deaths for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.[3]
History
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These dogs were found on the Isle of Skye, and the dogs were then named Skye Terriers. Some confusion exists in tracing its history because, for a certain time, several different breeds had the same name "Skye Terrier". The loyal dog, said to have been present under the petticoat of Mary, Queen of Scots at her execution, has been ascribed as a Skye Terrier. In 1840, Queen Victoria made the breed fancy, keeping both drop-(floppy) and prick-(upwards) eared dogs. A colour lithograph of Skye Terriers was included in "The Illustrated Book of the Dog" by Vero Shaw in 1881.[4][5]
This increased its popularity and the Skye Terrier came to America due to this. The AKC recognized the breed in 1887, and it quickly appeared on the show scene. Its popularity has significantly dropped and now it is one of the least known terriers. There is little awareness of its former popularity.[6]
Under threat
editThere are concerns that the breed is under threat of extinction with only 30 born in the UK in 2005.[7] It is today one of the most endangered of the Vulnerable Native Breeds of that country. The breed may disappear completely within 40 years.[8]
See also
editReferences
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- ^ Haywood, S.; Rutgers, H. C.; Christian, M. K. (1988). "Hepatitis and Copper Accumulation in Skye Terriers". Veterinary Pathology. 25 (6): 408–414. doi:10.1177/030098588802500602. ISSN 0300-9858.
- ^ "Skye Terrier Hepatitis". The Canine Genetic Centre. Cambridge University. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ McMillan, Kirsten M.; Bielby, Jon; Williams, Carys L.; Upjohn, Melissa M.; Casey, Rachel A.; Christley, Robert M. (1 February 2024). "Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death". Scientific Reports. 14 (1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 10834484.
- ^ Shaw, Vero (1881). Skye Terriers (Picture). Archived from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ Shaw, Vero Kemball; Stables, Gordon (1881). The Illustrated Book of the Dog. University of California Libraries. London, Paris, New York: Galpin & Co. p. 488. Archived from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
- ^ Coile, Caroline (2005). "The Terrier Group". Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds (second edition) (2 ed.). Barron's Educational Series. p. 352. ISBN 0-7641-5700-0.
- ^ Savill, Richard (5 July 2006), "Skye Seven raise hope for breed's survival", Daily Telegraph, archived from the original on 21 October 2021, retrieved 1 May 2024
- ^ Elliott, Valerie (12 June 2006), "Fight is on to save dogs that fell out of fashion", The Times