14/05/2024
Meet Moana the Skye Terrier!
Once held dear by Royalty, this breed is now endangered. She is the only one that we know of in the Bay of Plenty region. Originally from the foggy Isle of Skye in Scotland, these endearing canines make fiercely loyal companions. Skye's are extremely good watch dogs and easy to train, as puppies they need to learn who is in charge or they will try and take control. Moana is regularly shown at dog shows and has done her share of winning, she was well socialised as a puppy which is vitally important to her development.
Her pedigree name is NZ CH Dragonbeag Moana of Skulamus. Her dam a prick eared import from UK & her sire a drop eared import from Finland. She was born 25/12/2019.
What does a Skye Terrier look like?
The charming Skye Terrier boasts a luscious, lengthy coat and comes in various shades such as black, blue, gray, and cream. They have drop ears that hang down or prick ears that are bat-like and stand straight up. Many Skyes have long bangs, or fringes, which can obscure their eyes. They act as a veil to protect their eyes from damage while hunting.
These dogs are not very big, but they are longer than they are tall. Most of these lovable pups measure under ten inches in height. Males typically weigh between 35-40 pounds, while females weigh 25-31 pounds. Like many other small breeds, these guys have a pretty long lifespan: they can live up to 15 years with proper care.
What is the origin of the Skye Terrier dog?
Skye Terriers come from the Isle of Skye, off the coast of northwest Scotland. In the 16th century, Spanish Armada sailors brought ashore some small white dogs, similar to the Maltese. These soon mixed with Scottish Terriers. That fateful crossing led to the development of the Skye Terrier.
Originally used for hunting foxes and badgers, these plucky little dogs became very popular during the Victorian era. In fact, Queen Victoria bred Skye Terriers in her kennels! By the mid-16th century, many of the nobility owned Skye Terriers. In fact, some of the first dog shows featured them. They were accepted by the AKC back in 1887.
Greyfriars Bobby was a Skye Terrier who became known in the 19th century for (as legend has it) spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner, until his own death on 14 January 1872. Today the story of the beloved Greyfriars Bobby is part and parcel of Edinburgh history. A commemorative statue was erected in his honour.
To read more about Greyfriars Bobby, follow the link below:
https://parliamenthouse-hotel.co.uk/edinburgh-guide/attractions/greyfriars-bobby/ #:~:text=He%20was%20a%20Skye%20Terrier,was%20erected%20in%20his%20honour.
