One of the oldest Scottish breeds, the Skye Terrier makes a good watchdog and house-dog. Although he is distrustful of strangers he is devoted and loyal to family and friends, courageous but not aggressive. His long coat makes him a very glamorous dog, but he requires weekly brushing and occasional bathing to keep him in good condition. A plus is that his coat rarely sheds. Because he is low to the ground, mud does stick to his furnishings, but it can quickly and easily be brushed out when dry.

Although the majority of Skye Terriers are prick-eared, there is also a variety known as ‘drop-eared’, in which the ears hang flat against the skull.

The Skye was once known as the Terrier of the Western Isles, evolving into what we now call the Skye Terrier, with a mix of breeds behind him, including Cairn Terrier prototypes. One of the most famed of the breed was Greyfriars Bobby, who, in Edinburgh, around 1858, took up a vigil at his master’s grave in Greyfriars Churchyard, until he, too, died. Greyfriars Bobby was buried in unconsecrated ground in the churchyard and his devotion is commemorated by a memorial plaque in the street and by a tablet on his grave.