Skye Terrier Breed History

Various theories have been put forward as to the true origin of the Skye Terrier, the most 'romantic' being that they are descended from dogs brought ashore by sailors shipwrecked in the sinking of the Spanish Armada off these shores which bred with local terriers. Whether this be true or false would be difficult to prove as this event took place a very long time ago before such things as dog shows were held, but Skyes were known as such approximately three hundred years ago. Then they appeared to have been all drop-eared and shorter-coated, the long coats having evolved to suit the damp climate of the islands of Skye and Colonsay where they were kept in great numbers.

These Terriers of Skye were rated highly as working dogs and with that dash of romance added , the legend was made. They were greatly prized by the Scottish Lairds who used them for bolting foxes, badger and wild cats from the cairns and rough ground and for the hunting of otters.

When the Victorian gentlemen decided to explore the wild untamed country of North Britain, they were enthralled by the scenery and took some of these terriers back south with them. Travelling became the thing to do in that era and soon, the secret was out - Queen Victoria had toured Scotland and became a keen fancier of the Skye, therefore so in turn, were many Victorian ladies. So adaptable a dog is the Skye Terrier, that he filled the position of being a lady's companion so admirably that it was said at that time that 'no Duchess would care to be seen out walking without her Skye Terrier'!

Dog shows started to spring up from the 1860s with Skye terriers included from the earliest days. The wee, working dog from Skye had come a long way in a comparatively short time and adapted to its new role with ease.

All the early show dogs came from Scotland. A steady flow of dogs made their way south and early breeders and fanciers prominent at this time were Duncan Cunningham, James Kidd and H. Martin.

In the early years of the twentieth century, the Countess of Aberdeen housed a large kennel of both prick eared and drop eared Skyes. Among her famous champions were Gillie Glass and Buchan Bailllie.

In the 1920s, Miss Murdoch's kennel in Blanefield, Stirlingshire was much respected. Though she rarely showed south of the Border, she was very difficult to beat "at home". her kennel included Para Handy and the famous Ch. Catriona. She also exported stock to France and this helped to establish the famous "de la Chamadiere" kennel in that country.

Mr John Millar of Paisley was another successful breeder over many years, producing several champions for the Merrymount Kennels of Lady Marcia Miles in Shropshire. Unfortunately he gave up breeding Skyes just after the Second World War. From then on until 1960, there were no kennels in Scotland and very few indeed in England, apart from Merrymount the main British affixes of that era were Ballochmyle, of the Mynd, Meerend, Faygate, Rhosneigr, Jebusa, Happyhill and Marjayn. However, two ladies were to be responsible for resurrecting the breed in Scotland and beyond - and both lived on the Isle of Skye.

Mrs Mary McDonald (Acheo) living in Ardvasar, had bought her first Skye from John Millar in 1939 but only had one or two until 1960. She had at that time Genteel Silver Sail and the Douce Granite. Mrs Margaret MacDonald (Tarskavaig) bought Merrymount Gay Countess from Lady Marcia Miles in 1960, closely followed by Rhosneigr Rushing Dame from Mrs Marian Crook a year later. Then followed Merrymount Gay Chummie and Burmar Cream Bun from Mesdames Marshall and Burton. From this small nucleus of dogs in these two kennels was provided directly or indirectly the foundation stock of most of the Skye Kennels which have evolved since then on both sides of the Border. Names like Eastneuk,Scarista, Coruisk, Speywood, Perlor (already well known for Scottish Terriers) and the two Staffordshire Kennels Senkrah and Shawrigg. Balquhatston, Orasaidh, Esgia, Struanmore, Gallondean, Kyloran, Coralynne, Rhoderns, Glorfindel in Scotland. In England the Silhill Kennels were establish in the Midlands, the Mariquita Kennels in Yorkshire in the 70s, and Reignmakers and Skykim a decade or so later along with a few other small kennels.

The Skye of today is mainly the companion and family dog - adaptable to living in town or country, and they still have a faithful band of admirers who maintain small select kennels and show regularly. He is now much larger than his ancestors and therefore too large to 'go to ground' etc as they did. He has, however, lost none of the pluck and sporting instincts of these ancestors and is no lap dog! Drop ears are few and far between now, but the Esgia Kennel has, more than any other, kept the drop-ear to the fore. Importing stock from the Silverprint Kennel in Sweden thay have made up to date two drop Champions, namely Ch. Silverprint Goodfellow at Esgia and the bitch Ch. Silverprint North Star At Esgia. For faithfulness, loyalty and truly handsome appearance there are few to compare and the Skye is without doubt the most glamourous specimen in the Terrier Group of today.

Above all he is renowned for his great loyalty and long memory. The most famous story of all must be of the little drop-eared Skye 'Greyfriars Bobby', who when his master died, refused to leave his grave and remained there for fourteen years. A monument was raised in Edinburgh to his memory. Many other stories have been told of owners having been parted from their Skyes by circumstances for long numbers of years and these dogs, who remembered their masters instantly on their return and took their place at their side as if they had never been parted.

Skyes are not dogs who fuss over strangers as so many breeds do as they are generally either one-person or one-family dogs with a few chosen friends they have made from regular meetings - while strangers are usually treated quite courteously but with suspicion.

The history of the breed can only continue if we have dedicated breeders who are interested in keeping the breed going so they can continue to flourish for another century or more.

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