The history of the Skye Terrier is woven into the fabric of Scotland…literally! Not only is the Skye Terrier the only dog breed to be honored with its own tartan, but dogs are also celebrated with their own pet holiday: International Skye Terrier Day.
Created in 2020, the purple, green and orange of the vibrant checkered pattern represent the Isle of Skye, while the gray and black threads symbolize the terrier’s coat.
![Photo of gray Skye Terrier with the Isle of Skye in the background](https://www.dogtipper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/featured-Intl-Skye-Terrier-Day-900x506.jpg.webp)
When is International Skye Terrier Day?
International Skye Terrier Day takes place on February 21, the date chosen to commemorate the launch of the Skye Terrier tartan.
Fun Facts About Skye Terriers
To mark International Skye Terrier Day, here are some interesting facts about the breed:
The Skye Terrier was named in honor of the dog’s homeland, the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
Before becoming the favorite pet of aristocrats and royalty, the Skye Terrier was a hunter of game such as badgers, foxes and otters.
The breed can sport erect ears or drooping ears.
A Skye Terrier named Glamoor Good News stood on top of the podium at the 1969 Westminster Dog Show.
At the 2014 AKC National Championship, Cragsmoor Good Time Charlie was named Best in Show, a title he also achieved in 2015 at the National Dog Show.
A Skye Terrier’s coat can be many colors: black, blue, cream, fawn, gray and platinum silver.
Long live the Skye Terrier! The lifespan of this hardy breed is on average 12 to 15 years.
Although the Skye Terrier undoubtedly holds the top spot in the hearts of anyone lucky enough to be a pet parent of one of these breeds, the dogs languish at the bottom of the annual list of the American Kennel Club’s most popular dog breeds, landing at number 189 in 2022.
Skye Terrier Statues
Robert Lewis Stevenson’s dog
Literature lovers who got lost in the pages of Robert Louis Stevensonthe classic adventure novel of Treasure Island can create a treasured canine-themed memory with a visit to the Edinburgh suburb of Colinton, where a statue celebrating the author’s childhood was erected in 2013.
Located outside Colinton Parish Church (a place of worship that once echoed the sermons of Stevenson’s grandfather), the sculpture depicts the writer’s canine companion since childhood, a Skye Terrier named Cuillinafter a mountain range on the Isle of Skye.
Although he is not immortalized in a statue like his dog Cullin, there is a photo of Wogsanother Skye Terrier whose friendship was dear to the author (who famously declared “You think dogs won’t be in heaven? I tell you, they’ll be here long before us.”)
Queen Victoria’s dogs
The statue of Island, a Skye Terrier who once captured the heart of the English monarch, commands the admiration of all who pass by the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney, Australia. The depiction of Queen Victoria’s canine companion “speaks” to tourists in a human voice and thanks everyone who tosses coins (all of which are donated to a children’s charity) into the fountain he guards.
With his canine companion Islay, Queen Victoria also had a four-legged friend, a Skye Terrier, named Bozowhose name was inspired by a pseudonym of Charles Dickens, Boz was given by the Queen to his mother in 1857, but when the Duchess of Kent died in 1861, the dog came to live with the Sovereign.
The monarch’s barking companion was so beloved that his image was immortalized in the paintings of Sir Edwin Landseer (who said he preferred the long-haired Skye Terrier “better than any dog I ever had l “honor to paint for Her Majesty.”) and Friedrich. Wilhelm Keyl, who painted the portrait of the dog on the grounds of Frogmore, where a statuette of Boz still stands.
Bobby Greyfriars
![Statue of Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh](https://www.dogtipper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/greyfriars-bobby-900x506.jpg.webp)
One of the world’s best-known tributes to a dog in the memorial statue of Bobby Greyfriars. Since 1873, the sculpture has taken pride of place atop a fountain near George IV Bridge in Edinburgh. The bronze image celebrates the life of the dog who remained near the grave of his human (night watchman John Gray) for 14 years, until January 14, 1872, the day they were reunited in death.
In 2023, a tiny cherry coffin containing the ashes of Tamthe Skye Terrier that starred in the 1961 Disney film Greyfrair Bobby, was brought to Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh. Lost for many years, Tam’s remains were found after an 18-month search, and a procession of pipers and a Skye Terrier guard of honor led the dog to his new resting place. The beloved dog (who later took the name Bobby in homage to the dog he had portrayed on the big screen), helped raise money for many charitable causes during his life.
Isle of Skye Statue
We enter the gardens for today #objectoftheweek. Our much loved sculpture ‘The Homecoming’ was commissioned by the Skye Terrier Club and sculpted by Georgie Welch. It was unveiled by HRH The Princess Royal in 2014 and is located on the castle lawn. #skyeterriers pic.twitter.com/l0zZT3mNMY
– Armadale Skye Castle (@ArmadaleCastle) July 31, 2020
Britain’s most endangered native dog breed could disappear forever within the next 40 years, leaving only statues of Skye Terriers, like those on the grounds of Armadale Castle on the Isle of Skye, to mark their existence.
Unveiled in 2014 by HRH Princess Anne, “Back to home”, which was created by sculptor Georgie Welch, features both an “upprick ear” and a “drop ear” Skye Terrier.
The Countess of Aberdeen’s dogs
Since 1909, a tribute to two Skye Terriers named Monarch And Feuriach graced the grounds of Haddo House Country Park in Scotland. The couple were friends of Ishbel, Countess of Aberdeen, who lost her two loyal friends in quick succession when Monarch died of a broken heart following the death of Feuriach. The moving memorial was created by French sculptor Harold du Chene De Vere.
More Famous Skye Terriers
Years before presenting an invention that would get the world talking, the creator of the telephone claimed to have taught Find, his Skye Terrier, to speak. Using a technique he learned from his elocutionist father, Alexander Graham Bell was able to manipulate the shape of his dog’s mouth to form the phrase “How are you, Grandma?” »
Although the name of his Skye Terrier seems to have been lost in the mists of time, the convict’s loyalty Mary, Queen of Scots“The pet dog continues to live on through the story of Mary’s execution. Led to the scaffold on February 8, 1587, the queen’s canine companion accompanied her until the end, hiding in the folds of her skirt while the ax fell.
Adopt a Skye Terrier
Although dog lovers generally turn to a renowned breeder When wanting to welcome a Skye Terrier into their hearts and homes, it is possible for dog lovers to adopt a member of the breed.
Potential pet parents can contact Skye Terrier Club of America Rescue Program.
More Pet Vacations
You’ll find hundreds of dog vacations here on DogTipper, including these others Pet holidays in February:
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![Black Skye Terrier on a green grass lawn with the words International Skye Terrier Day at the top of the image](https://www.dogtipper.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/pinterest-skye-terrier-900x1350.jpg.webp)