SKYE TERRIER 



render it impossible for them to do full merits to their 

 hunting powers. 



The head of the Skye terrier is long and flat, and it 

 possesses the peculiarity of being narrower at the back 

 than it is at the front. This is a point that is insisted upon 

 by breeders, but it is not always an easy matter to see the 

 formation, owing to the wealth of hair. On this account 

 some people insist upon having the head thoroughly wetted 

 before deciding as regards the merits of a Skye, as the hair 

 will then cling to the skull and show its shape. There is 

 a slight ridge between the eyes, and the muzzle, which is 

 strong and well filled in beneath them, tapers gradually 

 from this point to the nose. The teeth must be level ; the 

 eyes dark hazel in colour, set rather close together and of 

 medium size, the working type showing very well-defined 

 bristly eyebrows. The ears are of two kinds — namely, prick, 

 which are carried erect, rather small in size, turned rather 

 inwards at the tips, and showing plenty of hair ; or drop, 

 in which case they are somewhat larger and lie flat to the 

 sides of the head. The neck is gracefully arched and of 

 fair length, but looks shorter than it really is on account 

 of the coat it carries ; the shoulders moderately sloping ; 

 the chest deep, but not too wide ; the body very long 

 indeed, with well-sprung ribs and powerful loins ; whilst 

 the back is slightly arched towards them. The fore-legs 

 should be short, straight, and heavy in bone ; the feet large, 

 with thickly-padded soles, and the hind-legs very muscular 

 at the thighs. The tail is of fair length, it is carried rather 

 low and well feathered. The outer coat in the case of 

 the show variety is long, free from curl, and harsh on 

 the body, rather shorter on the head, but still long enough 

 in the case of many dogs to quite conceal the eyes ; 

 whilst the under coat is short, close, and sealskin-like. 

 In the working type the coat is short, very hard and 

 close. The recognised colours are blue, grey, and fawn ; 

 the average weight being about i8 lbs. in dogs and i6 lbs. 

 in bitches. 



177 M 



