Appearance
The Skye Terrier is a long, low to the ground dog with an elegant appearance. The head is long with a slight stop. The ears are prick or folded, black, and heavily feathered. The tail is also well feathered and hangs down, a unique trait for a terrier breed. The medium sized eyes are brown and alert. The nose should be black and the teeth meet in a scissors bite. The neck is long and arched, and the topline should be level. The feet of the Skye Terrier are hare-like and long – they should point straight forward. The coat comes in blue, many shades of gray, cream, fawn or black, with darker points. Long bangs that cover the eyes are a trademark of the breed.
Size and Weight
The ideal height for male Skye Terriers is ten inches at the shoulder, and for females, 9.5 inches. The correct ratio of body length to body height is 2:1. There is no weight standard, but Skye Terriers can weigh up to 25 pounds.
Coat and Color
The Skye Terrier coat is long and luxurious. It is parted down the center of the back from head to tail and hangs straight down either side. The undercoat is soft and dense, the outer coat is straight. They have a beard, an apron, and long bangs that cover the eyes. Most owners pull the bangs back with a barrette, so that the dog's vision is not obstructed.
The coat may be black, blue, dark gray, light gray, sliver, fawn or cream. At the skin, the color is uniform across the body, but as the hair grows, various shades are apparent. Some sport black points on the ears, muzzle and tail tip.
Grooming Needs
The Skye Terrier coat should be brushed at least once per week with a pin brush. The coat should be misted with water before brushing 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 regularly with a veterinarian-approved cleanser and cotton ball. Brush the teeth at least once per week to prevent tartar buildup and fight gum disease. Additionally, nails should be trimmed once per month if the dog does not wear the toenails down naturally.