The Sky Terrier

The Sky Terrier is a breed of dog that is known for his long, low body and his dignified personality. There is more then one theory as to where the Sky Terrier came from, one of the stories says that the Sky Terrier is connected to a very old shipwreck. The story is that in the 1600’s, a Spanish ship wrecked in the Scottish Hebrides, the animals that survived the wreck were Maltese dogs that later on mated with the local terrier population creating a terrier that was unique. Many think that that is just a story because text was discovered dating back centuries before the supposed shipwreck, that describes in detail the terrier we all know and love today. This proves that the Sky Terrier was alive and well a long time before the shipwreck and the Maltese dog survivors.

The Sky Terrier has a nice double coat, with the under coat being soft and warm and the topcoat being hard and straight; the coat needs to lay flat against the body and be straight with no curls or any such things in it. The coat should be about 5 inches; the head has a beard and almost a veil-like appearance in the way that the coat lays on it. The color of the Sky Terrier’s coat can be black, grey , blond and blue, with black points on the ears and muzzle. The only other color that is allowed is a small white patch on the chest.

One thing of interest is the fact that the ears can be pick or drop shaped, there is no preference one way or the other. When it comes to grooming the Sky Terrier, one has to keep in mind that the coat needs to be brushed about once a week; also, trimming around the toes and pads are a must to prevent problems developing from dampness and other stuff.

These dogs do not like to be touched unless it is their owners, a strange little bit of personality…these dogs will react if you provoke them so beware, it is best to not overly tease the Sky Terrier because it is something that they do not like at all and will not exactly appreciate you for it. Another thing that they do not like are other animals in the house, they want all their owners attention for themselves and will not like it if they have to share even a little bit with another animal. When it comes to children, they are picky as well, if the dog has been well socialized and if the children are older and well behaved, then the Sky Terrier might accept them. Obviously, this is not a dog for a big family or a family that has smaller children.

On the other hand, these are very good watch dogs and will not fail in letting their owner know when somebody has come to the house…they are considered excellent observers and they are not to be messed with (despite their size).

Regular brushing of the coat is a must and their ears must be cleaned and kept nice and dry to prevent any infections from forming. The hair around the face needs to be kept clean as well. Make sure that this dog gets at least a short walk every day, they do not need a whole lot of time out, but they do need a little to keep them in shape. One more note on the breed: they do shed, so some vacuuming and stuff will be necessary in order to keep the hair in the house in control.

If you have plans to get a Sky Terrier or any pure bred dog for that matter, please remember to get a dog that comes from a breeder that has a good reputation; these are people that care about their animals and the homes that their puppies will end up in. They will be able to give you proof of health certificates and check ups not only on the puppy but also on the parents of the puppy. Take your time and get something that you truly like because nobody wants to be stuck with an unwanted pet for the next 10 to 12 years.