There can be no question that these dogs, which are so typically Highland in character and appearance, as well as the Clydesdale, the Scottish, the Dandie Dinmont, and the White Poltalloch terriers, are all the descendants of a purely native Scottish original.  They are all inter-related; but which was the parent breed it is impossible to determine.

It is even difficult to discover which of the two distinct types of the Skye Terrier was the earlier—­the variety whose ears stand alertly erect or its near relative whose ears are pendulous.  Perhaps it does not matter.  The differences between the prick-eared Skye and the drop-eared are so slight, and the characteristics which they have in common are so many, that a dual classification was hardly necessary.  The earliest descriptions and engravings of the breed present a terrier considerably smaller than the type of to-day, carrying a fairly profuse, hard coat, with short legs, a body long in proportion to its height, and with ears that were neither erect nor drooping, but semi-erect and capable of being raised to alertness in excitement.  It is the case that drop-eared puppies often occur in the litters of prick-eared parents, and vice versa.

As its name implies, this terrier had its early home in the misty island of Skye; which is not to say that it was not also to be found in Lewis, Oronsay, Colonsay and others of the Hebrides, as well as on the mainland of Scotland.  Dr. Johnson, who visited these islands with Boswell in 1773, noticed these terriers and observed that otters and weasels were plentiful in Skye, that the foxes were numerous, and that they were hunted by small dogs.  He was so accurate an observer that one regrets he did not describe the Macleod’s terriers and their work.  They were at that time of many colours, varying from pure white to fawn and brown, blue-grey and black.  The lighter coloured ones had black muzzles, ears, and tails.  Their tails were carried more gaily than would be permitted by a modern judge of the breed.

In those days the Highlander cared less for the appearance than he did for the sporting proclivities of his dogs, whose business it was to oust the tod from the earth in which it had taken refuge; and for this purpose certain qualities were imperative.  First and foremost the terrier needed to be small, short of leg, long and lithe in body, with ample face fringe to protect his eyes from injury, and possessed of unlimited pluck and dash.

The Skye Terrier of to-day does not answer to each and every one of these requirements.  He is too big—­decidedly he is too big—­especially in regard to the head.  A noble-looking skull, with large, well-feathered ears may be admirable as ornament, but would assuredly debar its possessor from following into a fox’s lair among the boulders.  Then, again, his long coat would militate against the activity necessary for his legitimate calling.