The fact that Terriers similar to those of the Central Highlands, but probably with a slight admixture of Skye blood in them, were also bred in the island of Mull, seems to have caused confusion in the minds of a few people as to what really is a Skye Terrier. The name Skye Terrier is of comparatively recent application, and it was applied to the Terriers of the western islands of Scotland, which were covered with long, lank hair, almost trailing to the ground. Richardson describes the Skye as long in the body, low on the leg, and covered with very long hair; and he says the name was given 'from its being found in greatest perfection in the western isles of Scotland, and the island of Skye in particular.' Any other name might have been given to this breed of Terrier, and had it been known by a different one it would be absurd to think of changing it now. The dog for which the name has lately been claimed, if not the Highland Terrier itself, appears to be closely related to it, and its being bred in Skye can change it into a Skye Terrier in no other sense than it would change a Dandie Dinmont into a Skye Terrier if it were bred there.

The researches of naturalists prove that the covering of animals adapts itself to the climate in which they are placed. Many examples might be given to show that the coat Nature provides for quadrupeds which have to endure cold and wet resembles that of the Skye Terrier in having an outer covering of hair and an inner coat of short wool. The Collie may be taken as one. There is no dog in this country so much exposed during all weathers as the Scotch Sheepdog, and his coat, like that of the Skye, is a combination of hard and soft hair. However great the advantage of the outer coat may be in throwing off the rain and sleet, unless the dog were also provided with the inner coat, which not only excludes the wet, but keeps him warm, he would be unable to withstand the rigorous climate of the Scotch Highlands. The swine native to the northern parts of Scotland were covered with short wool, and the sheep of Shetland and Iceland had, in addition to their wool, an outer covering of hair.

How long Nature might take to change the coat of any animal it is impossible to say, but in the case of the Skye Terrier there was at least three centuries during which the process of adaptation to climate might be going on. That it would require such a length of time is not likely. The fact that the descendants of dogs brought from Skye about forty years ago, and which have all along been carefully housed and fed, continue to exhibit the same peculiarity of coat, shows that it does not change readily, and that the adaptation must have been completed long before these dogs left the island, else the hereditary influences could not be so great. Martin, Pennant, Macculloch, and others, who wrote of the Hebrides, inform us that the houses of the inhabitants were of the rudest description in their time; and where men are themselves badly housed it is not likely they would pay much attention to the kennels of their dogs. That Skyes were left a good deal to their own resources at one period of their history some of their habits sufficiently prove.

A gentleman who wrote about forty years ago says of them: 'The Terriers which I have had of this breed show some curious habits, unlike most other dogs. I have observed that, when young, they frequently make a kind of seat under a bush or hedge, where they will sit for hours together, crouched like a wild animal. Unlike most other dogs, too, they will eat (though not driven by hunger) almost anything that is given them, such as raw eggs, the bones and meat of wild ducks or wood-pigeons, and other birds, that every other kind of dog, however hungry, rejects with disgust. In fact, in many particulars their habits resemble those of wild animals; they always are excellent swimmers, taking the water quietly and fearlessly when very young.' It is only in young animals that the habits of remote ancestors can be seen. Training speedily obliterates all trace of them.

It is seldom they quarrel amongst themselves; however, if they do begin, they fight viciously, and take every opportunity of having a new settlement of their differences. Two of unequal weight sometimes fall out, and the weaker, instead of acknowledging defeat, requires upon every fresh occasion to have it demonstrated that he is not the better dog of the two. To all vermin they are determined enemies, but when attacking the larger sorts they do so with generalship; yet a bite from the adversary often makes them forget their tactics, and when they do close they can both give and take as much punishment as any dog of their weight. They are keen hunters, have good scent, and are fond of the gun. Their speed is not great, but they stick to a scent most pertinaciously, and will follow a wounded animal for miles.

For all purposes for which the Terriers are used they are of service. As house-dogs they have much to recommend them. They are watchful to a fault; and they require less exercise to keep them in health than almost any other Terrier. When kept as house-dogs merely, it is of little consequence what weight they are; but when required to go to ground, they must neither be big in size nor too light in weight. There has been much difference of opinion expressed as to what should be considered the proper weight of a Skye Terrier. The claim has frequently been made on behalf of the Dandie that there is no Terrier so game as he is. This claim may or may not be a just one; but it does seem very strange, if it is just, that the Dandie Dinmont Club should consider 20lb. not too heavy for a Dandie, and professed judges of the breed outside the Club should think an additional half-stone not too heavy to exclude from the prize list; while men who at least pretend to know about Skyes maintain that dogs of this breed should not exceed 141b., and that preference should be given to even lighter weights. Both breeds are used for the same kind of work, and surely it is too much to expect a 141b. Skye to be successful in doing what it requires a 241b. Dandie to accomplish, especially when the latter is the 'gamest of all Terriers.' Fox-terriers are not considered too large at 20lb., and as a Skye has the advantage of two or three pounds in shape, breeders cannot be called unreasonable if they limit themselves to that weight. It does not follow that, because a Skye weighs 20lb., he must necessarily be of large size. Bone and muscle weigh well, and if he has plenty of these, properly put together, he will look smaller than an ill-made dog four or five pounds lighter. This holds true, to a certain extent, with all breeds.