Skye Terrier History

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Skye Terrier History by Sine Threlfall, Isle of Skye, Scotland

The Skye Terrier is generally accepted as the oldest dog of all the Scottish terriers,

with mention of earth dogges going back as far as the sixteenth century.

These dogs were not the glamourous type we see in the ring today, but were a small,

wirey, working terrier, whose job was to harry otters from their hiding places in gullies

on the rocky coastline, or do likewise to a fox on the hill. Their reputation as fearless

spread the length and breadth of Scotland, sometimes for fighting amongst

themselves - it was not unknown for a dog to have lost a paw, but this did not deter

him from working - and many were eagerly sought after by many estates.

Scenting

From these hardy terriers, the Skye, Cairn, Scottish and West Highland White

terriers evolved. Little mention of the breed came to light for many years though

the Bishop of Ross mentions a low scenting dog which crept into subterraneous

burrows routing out foxes, badgers, martens and wild cats in the second half of

the sixteenth century, and Caius wrote in 1576 of Iseland Dogges, so the basic

ingredients for the above mentioned terriers was well in place.

A fanciful notion that long-haired dogs swam ashore from Spanish ships wrecked

on reefs while being pursued by the English fleet after the Armada, adds an extra

bit of glamour to the story. It is true some ships were wrecked off the west coast of

Scotland, so it is not impossible, and the myth goes on to say that Lady MacDonald

of Armadale castle housed a kennel of these handsome dogs.

There is no record of this being the case, but Lady Alice MacDonald of the Isles - this

title being taken after a family feud split the MacDonalds in 1799 - kept a Skye terrier

who was named Mr. Connis. On one occasion, whilst staying on Skye, Lady Alice wrote,

"Our dog was a marvel to the people for never, they said, had such a dog been seen in

Skye since the right people left."

Skye terriers have several "royal" connections with Mary, Queen of Scots supposedly

hiding hers beneath her dress when she went to her death.

The Victorian era brought the Skye terrier out of hiding and into the public eye.

For a start, gentleman travellers took to exploring the highlands of Scotland and

reported on its wild and rugged beauty. This in turn led the Queen to travel and a

gift of two terriers was presented to her by the Duke of Argyll.

The Queen fell in love with the country and the dogs and Skye terriers became a

part of her life following this early introduction.

A lovely story is recounted about the Rev. Rosslyn Bruce who was summoned to

Windsor with his famous Rona. The Queen wanted a bitch puppy out of Rona, but his

bitch had come in season so he decided it would not be proper to bring her along and

instead brought her sire, Lord Lennox, intending to explain his predicament.

Sniffing

On arrival, he was given instructions to bow, but not to speak until he was spoken to.

When the queen arrived, Rosslyn let Lennox off his lead so she could see him better - the

Queen smiled but uttered not one word. The dog came up to her and she patted him, then

he trotted off down the path sniffing at the flowers. As you can imagine, Rosslyn was

praying Lennox wouldn't lift his leg and the dog returned to his side without incident.

The Queen thanked him and said she would like to have her very much. The meeting was

over and he never got the chance to explain!

Rona's daughter was later sent to Windsor and the Queen named her Rona II.

The Skye had arrived!

Dog shows were starting up and the "royal" connection made the breed one of the most

popular. It had always been so in Scotland, and in Glasgow and Edinburgh the breed

was to be found on most doorsteps.

It was at this time that Greyfriars Bobby came to the public attention. Bobby's owner died

when he was two, but for the next fourteen years, despite having a home, Bobby would

lie on his master's grave at Greyfriars Kirk. Every day he would go to the Traills restaurant

and would be fed there and in his later years, the Traill family took him in and cared for him

and it was at their fireside that Bobby died aged 16.

Memorabilia

Such was the admiration for this loyal wee dog he was even allowed to be buried just

inside the church gates and baroness Burdett Coutts had a statue of him erected

nearby - one of the most visited monuments in Edinburgh today. Walt Disney made the

film of his story in the 1960's, and memorabilia of his is displayed at the Museum of Edinburgh.

The earliest dog shows had classes for Skye Terriers, most of these being drop ears, but

fanciers in England mostly preferred the prick variety. Classes were available for both

drop and prick ears at many shows. Breeders and dealers in Scotland had a ready market

south of the border and beyond for their stock. Among these, Duncan Cunningham,

William Miller and the Rev. David Dobbie, who presented Queen Victoria with Diana of

Aldivalloch, were noted breeders. Incidentally, the Rev. Dobbie advertised his stock for sale

from 5 pounds to 1,000 pounds!

The Rev. Rosslyn Bruce first came across the breed whilst staying with his uncle in

Edinburgh and later his daughter Rhalou Kirby Peace continued under her Kirby prefix.

In the early part of the twentieth century, the Countess of Aberdeen owned a very strong

kennel of drop and prick ears, and Mr. Miller's Scott kennel was also to the fore, whilst in

England James Pratt was a celebrity with his group of Skyes often seen walking in Hyde Park.

Sir Claud and Lady Alexander had many a good Skye (and Clydesdale terriers, too) including

Ch. Young Roseberry, Ch. Accrington Wonder and Ch. Wee Mac of Adel who won the terrier

group at Crufts in 1907 and Ch. Ballochmyle Chance to name a few. Then along came the

Wolverley kennel owned by Mrs. Hughes.

The kennels were designed to ensure not one hair could be torn out, the staff ensured the

dogs were fed with only the best food from their own kitchen in the kennel complex, and

the dogs were groomed to perfection.

The star of the kennel was undoubtedly Ch. Wolverley Chummie, who was never beaten

in competition and won 27 CCs. He was considered to be the ideal Skye terrier and can still

be seen today at the Zoological Museum in Tring. Several other fine Skyes came from the

kennel, including Chs. Wolverley Duchess and Jock.

Miss Alice Wishaw bred the lovely drop Ch. Grey Dusk, who along with Grey Cloud, Grey Dawn

and Ch. Grey Light came from the same litter. In later years, she teamed up with Miss Tatham

and registered their Skyes under the equally successful Southernhills prefix.

The Merrymount kennels need no introduction, as they are still recognized today. Lady

Marcia Miles grew up with Skyes. Her mother, the Hon. Mrs. Jocelyn, owned the beautiful

drop ear Ch. Prince Donard, but it was the Wolverley Skyes who grabbed the youngster's

imagination and fed her desire to have the best kennel of Skyes terriers in the Country.

Champions

In her long association with the breed, she bred over a hundred champions at home and

abroad and her bloodlines could be found in almost every Country in which the Skye terrier

could be found.

Among her outstanding champions were Ch. Royalist of Merrymount, Int.Ch. Merrymount

You'll Do, Ch. Merrymount Mid-Day Sun, Ch. Merrymount Sunset (a great brood bitch) and

the drops Ch. Merry mount Sun Chariot, Sungleam and Sundown.

Ch. Merrymount Sundown was owned by Miss Mina Alexander, daughter of Sir Claud and

Lady Alexander, of the Faygate Skyes and Australians. One of the most colourful characters

around, Mina bred Chs. Faygate Dusk, Twilight and Miss Spiv.

The Bracadale, Luckie, Mynd, Rhosneigr, Jebusa and Marajayn kennels and many more

all have their place in our history, and indeed there are all the present-day kennels who are

making history at this very moment. We recently lost Gisela Dalrymple, who bred the highly

successful Balquhatson Skyes, but long standing such as Tarskavaig, Glenshiel, Silhill,

Kirkleyditch and Maraquita continue and new starts have come from the Glorfindel, Reignmakers,

Thistlegate and Salena kennels. Drop ears are now very much in the minority, but Cathie and

George McLeod imported two from Sweden with Ch. Silverprint Goodfellow at Esgia

winning 11 CCs. Both gained their titles and a drop eared daughter currently has one CC.

Glamourous

Although the breed is regarded as glamourous, it has not often been the star of the show, so

mention should be made of Ch. Silhill Silver Secret and Ch. Jebusa Miranda at Mariquita who

have won the Terrier Group at Crufts in 1974 and 1992 respectively.

Very few Skyes have won groups - until the 1990's only a handful of Skyes won the Terrier Group,

but the 1990's saw more, which is very rewarding after those barren years.

The new century, with the Group running to four placings has seen the Skye being placed more

often which can only be a good thing.

I only hope our breed will continue to find dedicated people who will not be driven by the

desire to win above all else, but are willing to ensure the breed is safe-guarded from extinction.

Reprinted with permission from Our Dogs magazine in Manchester, England.

Note:

The above article was written in Great Britain, and all the breeders and champions named in the

article are, of course, British. A great deal of credit for the development and promotion of the present

day Skye goes to many breeders in numerous other countries around the world, including Canada's

own late Mrs. Marjorie Adams of Talisker fame.