THE SKYE TEKBIER. 203 



The Skye, as known to the frequenters of our shows, is a low, weasel-like 

 dog, whether possessed of drop or prick ears, but the former variety is considerably 

 longer than the latter, and more elegant in shape ; for this reason he is more popular 

 in the south, where until recently he was very fashionable as a ladies' pet, in which 

 capacity however he is now superseded by the dachshund, fox terrier, or colley. 

 Without any further reference to Mr. Gordon Murray's type, I shall describe this 

 breed under its two recognised varieties, the drop-eared and prick-eared, merely 

 remarking that though both are used, or said to be used in Scotland for the 

 pursuit of vermin, in England they are solely bred as companionable dogs. 



THE DROP-EARED SKYE TERRIER. 



This dog is the longest of our native breeds, with the single exception of the 

 turnspit, now almost or quite extinct. He is, however, rivalled in this respect by the 

 dachshund, each being as nearly as may be three and a half times as long as he is 

 high when stretched out and measured from tip of tail to end of nose. He is a very 

 good house dog, being clean and possessed of an even temperament, not nearly so 

 quarrelsome as the Dandie, or the fox terrier, and although long in coat not at all 

 inclined to be proportionately offensive to the owner ; indeed, with the exception of 

 the pug, the Maltese, and smooth terrier, I know no dog less objectionable on that 

 score. To keep his long coat clean is, however, a troublesome task, as it is greatly 

 inclined to mat when the dog is exercised on dirty roads, and if it is allowed to get 

 dry when in this state, nothing but a long soaking in warm water and the careful 

 use of the comb will get it straight again. This difficulty no doubt has operated 

 against the more general adoption of the Skye terrier as a ladies' pet. 



The following are the points of the Skye terrier : 



Value. 



Head 15 



Ears and Eyes 10 



Length of body and 

 neck 15 



40 



Value. 



Symmetry 15 



Length of coat 10 



Texture of coat . . . . 10 



35 

 Grand Total 100. 



Value. 



Colour 5 



Carriage of tail 10 



Legs and feet 10 



25 



1. The head (value 15) looks large when the coat is dry, but when wetted it is 

 found to be long and rather narrow between the ears, increasing in width between 

 the eyes, with a flat skull, little or no brow, and a pointed nose. The teeth should 

 meet level, and be very strong. Nose and roof of mouth black, or very dark brown. 



2. Ears and eyes (value 10). The ears are set on rather high, and are by 

 no means large in leather, being barely three inches long, but the hair on them 

 makes them look much longer, mixing with that arising from the head, neck, and 

 cheeks. In this variety they should fall perpendicularly and close to the cheeks. 

 The eyes are brown, varying in shade from a hazel to a dark brown. They are of 

 medium size, and sharp in expression rather than soft. 



