Information on AKC Skye Terrier Puppies
Skye Terrier Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Skye Terrier is a dog of style, elegance and dignity: agile and strong with
sturdy bone and hard muscle. Long, low and level-he is twice as long as he is
high-he is covered with a profuse coat that falls straight down either side
of the body over oval-shaped ribs. The hair well feathered on the head veils
forehead and eyes to serve as protection from brush and briar as well as amid
serious encounters with other animals. He stands with head high and long tail
hanging and moves with a seemingly effortless gait. He is strong in body, quarter
and jaw.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size--The ideal shoulder height for dogs is 10 inches and bitches
9½ inches. Based on these heights a 10 inch dog measured from chest
bone over tail at rump should be 20 inches. A slightly higher or lower dog
of either sex is acceptable. Dogs 9 inches or less and bitches 8½ inches
or less at the withers are to be penalized. Proportion--The
ideal ratio of body length to shoulder height is 2 to 1, which is considered
the correct proportion. Substance--Solidly built, full of
strength and quality without being coarse. Bone is substantial.
Head
Long and powerful, strength being deemed more important than extreme length. Eyes brown, preferably dark brown, medium in size, close-set
and alight with life and intelligence. Ears symmetrical and gracefully feathered. They may be carried
prick or drop. If prick, they are medium in size, placed high on the skull,
erect at their outer edges, and slightly wider apart at the peak than at
the skull. Drop ears, somewhat larger in size and set lower, hang flat against
the skull. Moderate width at the back of the skull tapers gradually to a strong muzzle.
The stop is slight. The dark muzzle is just moderately full as opposed to snipy.
Powerful and absolutely true jaws. The nose is always black. A Dudley, flesh-colored
or brown nose shall disqualify. Mouth with the incisor teeth closing level,
or with upper teeth slightly overlapping the lower.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck--Long and gracefully arched, carried high and proudly. The backline is level. Body pre-eminently long and low, the chest deep, with oval-shaped
ribs. The sides appear flattish due to the straight falling and profuse
coat. Tail long and well feathered. When hanging, its upper section
is pendulous, following the line of the rump, its lower section thrown back
in a moderate arc without twist or curl. When raised, its height makes it
appear a prolongation of the backline. Though not to be preferred, the tail
is sometimes carried high when the dog is excited or angry. When such carriage
arises from emotion only, it is permissible. But the tail should not be
constantly carried above the level of the back or hang limp.
Forequarters
Shoulders well laid back, with tight placement of shoulder blades at the
withers and elbows should fit closely to the sides and be neither loose
nor tied. Forearm should curve slightly around the chest. Legs short, muscular
and straight as possible. "Straight as possible" means straight
as soundness and chest will permit, it does not mean "Terrier straight." Feet-- Large hare-feet preferably pointing forward, the
pads thick and nails strong and preferably black.
Hindquarters
Strong, full, well developed and well angulated. Legs
short, muscular and straight when viewed from behind. Feet as in front.
Coat
Double. Undercoat short, close, soft and woolly. Outer coat hard, straight
and flat. 5½ inches long without extra credit granted for greater length.
The body coat hangs straight down each side, parting from head to tail.
The head hair, which may be shorter, veils forehead and eyes and forms a
moderate beard and apron. The long feathering on the ears falls straight
down from the tips and outer edges, surrounding the ears like a fringe and
outlining their shape. The ends of the hair should mingle with the coat
of the neck. Tail well feathered.
Color
The coat must be of one over-all color at the skin but may be of varying
shades of the same color in the full coat, which may be black, blue, dark
or light grey, silver platinum, fawn or cream. The dog must have no distinctive
markings except for the desirable black points of ears, muzzle and tip of
tail, all of which points are preferably dark even to black. The shade of
head and legs should approximate that of the body. There must be no trace
of pattern, design or clear-cut color variations, with the exception of
the breed's only permissible white which occasionally exists on the chest
not exceeding 2 inches in diameter.
The puppy coat may be very different in color from the adult coat. Therefore,
as it is growing and clearing, wide variations of color may occur; consequently,
this is permissible in dogs under 18 months of age. However, even in puppies
there must be no trace of pattern, design, or clear-cut variations with the
exception of the black band encircling the body coat of the creme colored dog,
and the only permissible white which, as in the adult dog, occasionally exists
on the chest not exceeding 2 inches in diameter.
Gait
The legs proceed straight forward when traveling. When approaching,
the forelegs form a continuation of the straight line of the front. The feet
being the same distance apart as the elbows. The principal propelling power
is furnished by the back legs which travel straight forward. Forelegs should
move well forward, without too much lift. The whole movement may be termed free,
active and effortless and give a more or less fluid picture.
Temperament
That of the typical working terrier capable of overtaking
game and going to ground, displaying stamina, courage, strength and agility.
Fearless, good-tempered, loyal and canny, he is friendly and gay with those
he knows and reserved and cautious with strangers.
Disqualification
A Dudley, flesh-colored or brown nose shall disqualify.
Approved February 10, 1990
Effective March 28, 1990
