204 THE DOGS OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 



3. Length of body and neck (value 15). The back is very long but strongly 

 coated with muscle, and quite straight, the roach back of the Dandie being 

 specially objected to. The neck is also long, and unless the whole length 

 amounts to three-and-a-half times the height of the dog at the shoulders, it is 

 not considered sufficient, a greater proportional length being preferred. In spite 

 of the great length of the back the ribs are round, and the chest barrel-like, 

 the back ribs extending far towards the hips. Shoulders strong and often rather 

 upright. 



4. The symmetry (value 15) of this variety of the Skye terrier is very con- 

 siderable, as will be seen by referring to the illustration retained from the last 

 edition on account of the perfection of shape and points generally displayed 

 therein. 



5. The length of coat (value 10) on the body should be considerable, but should 

 not be so great as entirely to eclipse all his shapes and to touch the ground the 

 proper length is well displayed in the illustration accompanying this article. On 

 the head it should be long, and over-hanging the eyes, and often so as to completely 

 conceal them. The tail should be also well feathered, but not so as to make it 

 look bushy or woolly. On the legs also is a certain amount of feather, without 

 matting. 



6. In texture of coat (value 10). It is generally admitted that there should be 

 a mixture of hard long and straight hair, with a soft and woolly undercoat. On the 

 back the coat should be so straight and free from curl as to part naturally down the 

 middle ; and though this parting is usually assisted by the comb, it cannot be shown 

 by this means if the coat is by nature full of curl, and of a woolly texture. But 

 although the outer coat is hard and straight, the inner wool is so thick on the body 

 that when wetted it prevents the outer from collapsing and adhering to the sides. 

 On the head this is not, however, the case, and when wet it shows its shape to be 

 very different from that displayed in the dry state. In many dogs brought from 

 Skye, the coat is woolly throughout, and on that account it has been contended that 

 this is the true type, but I have described it as approved of by all the best judges 

 without reference to any other source. 



7. The colours (value 5) most in demand are slate and black, or black with 

 white hairs (grizzle), silver grey and fawn are not now so much fancied as formerly, 

 but the former is certainly very handsome, and is in great demand for ladies' 

 pets. It should always be tipped with black, and the fewn with that colour or 

 dark brown. 



8. The carriage of tail (value 10) should be low, not being raised above the back 

 except under great excitement, when this defect may be excused. 



9. Legs and feet (value 10). The legs should be straight, and the elbows 

 as well as stifles by no means out. The thighs are fully clothed with muscle 

 down to the hocks. Feet round and well clothed with hair, but not overdone. 

 There should be no dew claws. The height of the Skye should be about nine 

 to ten inches, and the length thirty-five to forty inches, weight sixteen to twenty 

 pounds. 



