BREED HISTORY

A Unique Scottish Ancestry
by Sine Threlfall. The Official Historian for the Skye Terrier Club.

'Greyfriars Bobby'

The Skye Terrier takes its name from the Island of Skye, which lies off the northwest coast of Scotland and is the largest of a group of islands known as the Inner Hebrides. The breed is known to be the oldest terrier breed of Scotland, going back to the fourteenth century at least.

Terriers were needed wherever there were vermin and the best of these little dogs came from the far west coast of the Highlands of Scotland. It is almost impossible to trace the origin of the breed; to do so one has to piece together all the relevant information which has survived, mainly by oral tradition, for hundreds of years.

It is generally accepted that canine survivors of a wrecked man-of-war from the Spanish Armada bred with local terriers, producing a strain with a long, silky coat. Lady MacDonald of Armadale Castle certainly owned a kennel of terriers of this type. While the story is decidedly romantic there are a few discrepancies which ought to be considered. It is true that many ships from the Spanish Armada of 1588 found their way home blocked and had to sail round Britain, pursued by the English; several of these ships certainly came to grief on the hostile reefs around the coast of Scotland.

The island of Raasay, just off Skye, is supposed to have been a haven for some of the survivors, who made their homes there, so it may be possible to believe that a dog or two could have survived. How many would have been allowed aboard a man-of-war is debatable, however. In any case, the Macdonalds did not have a castle at Armadale until 1815, though the ruins of kennels remain from that time.

So where did the Skye Terrier originate? It is unlikely that the tradition of the Armadale connection would have remained if it contained no truth whatsoever. However, the presence of terriers on the island is recorded prior to 1588, so we have to search further back in time. It is worth bearing in mind that the Western Highlands were first settled by the Picts from Ireland, followed by the Vikings. The Viking invasions were not all pillaging and raping as some stories suggest; the Vikings left their homes in Scandinavia to find a place in which to live and many settled as far south as the Isle of Man.

Studies of the Vikings have shown that they took with them dogs which may also have had an influence on how the Skye Terrier developed. If one looks at the Drever, or Swedish Vallhund as it is better known in Britain, whose history goes back to the Viking times, one can see that the body shape is similar to that of the Skye. Though the Valhund is much more closely linked with the Corgi, the similarity to the Skye is one which must be considered.

We may have something for which to thank the Vikings! Vallhund colouring is different, but brown Skyes are known to appear from time to time so we cannot dismiss the connection too hastily. Certainly Eilean A’Cheo, the Misty Isle, is well named, since the source of the Skye Terrier breed is hidden in the mists of time. In order to understand the geography of the island which gave its name to the breed it is also necessary to learn a little of its history.

Two Scottish clans dominate the story of Skye: the Macdonalds and the MacLeods. Over the years these clans fought a running war, their many bloody skirmishes furnishing material for still more legends of the Misty isle. The chiefs of the clans were well educated men who led their clansmen in many famous battles. The clansmen, however, lived in poor conditions, barely managing to feed their families. When their chieftain wanted to put sheep on his land the people were turned out of their homes, some even being dispatched on ships to colonise Canada and America. Those who stayed behind settled on the coast, learning to fish in order to feed themselves. Despite their harsh treatment, the clansmen rallied when the call went out for troops, and fought to the bitter end.

The Macdonald chief lived in his castle at Duntulm, though earlier homes were found at Dunsgaith and Cnoc in the Sleat Peninsula. In 1670 the chief moved to Armadale in the south of Skye, but in 1690 the house was burnt to the ground by troops of King William 111. This was an act of retribution against Donald, son of Sir Donald Macdonald, who had fought valiantly alongside Viscount Dundee (Bonnie Dundee) at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689. Although badly wounded, Donald had returned to Skye. After the fire the family returned to the castle of Duntulm, which was very damp and draughty by now, making frequent trips to a farmhouse in Armadale. Duntulm Castle was finally deserted in 1732, when the family was established at Monkstadt.

Sir Alexander Wentworth, 10th Baronet, 2nd Lord MacDonald and 17th Chief of Sleat, was born n 1773. In 1798 he built a new mansion in Armadale and made this his home. A family feud in 1799 resulted in a family split when Godfrey, later to become the 19th Chief of the clan, eloped. When he died the titles fell to his second son, as his first born was alleged to be illegitimate according to English law. The family estates at Thorpe in Yorkshire were therefore given to the first born as compensation. Godfrey’s grandson, Alexander Wentworth Bosville of Thorpe, married Alice Middleton in 1886, and when Alice investigated the case she found that the allegation of illegitimacy was quite false.

Therefore Alexander was reinstated as 21st Chief of Sleat in 1910 and known as Macdonald of the Isles. The clan now had two chiefs, the new one leasing 4000 acres of land in Duntulm and living in a house close to the ancient castle, which was excluded from the leasing agreement. The family home is better known now as the Flodigarry Hotel. Sir Alexander and Lady Alice owned a Skye Terrier named Mr. Connis. However, although she was a prolific writer, lady Alice makes little mention of any dogs, so we are left not knowing his ancestry.

Loyalties were obviously torn amongst the natives of Skye. An insight into the past comes to light in a letter Lady Alice wrote whilst on Skye in which she states “We were constantly told of the extraordinary resemblance between Alex and the Chiefs of old, and our dog was a marvel to the people for never, they said, had such a dog been seen in Skye since the right people left”. This statement is the only clue we have of similar dogs having been kept by the Macdonalds in days gone by.

In 1815 the castle at Armadale was built, becoming the home of the Clan Chief until 1934. Sadly very little of the castle remains today, but the Clan Donald Trust have made the grounds the Centre to which clan members from all over the world can come to trace their ancestry.

Origins of the Skye Terrier

Research into the history of the Skye Terrier reveals the early existence of various types of terrier. Three examples of these are the Monkstadt, Drynochs and Camusunary, but these simply refer to the terriers kept on the estates belonging to the Macdonalds, Macleods and MacKinnons. The Macleods of Dunvegan were known to have owned terriers, but even Samuel Johnson, that most prolific of writers, who visited there in 1773, makes no mention of dogs, though he remarks on the abundance of otters, fox and weasel, which were no doubt despatched by a pack of terriers. Captain Macleod of Drynoch also kept a pack of terriers, and Cairn terriers are descended from these.

During the 17th century Farquhar Kelly of Drumfearn kept a strain of working terriers renowned for their hunting abilities, to which their scars bore witness. These were extremely game terriers who carried on their work regardless of losing an eye or a paw in battle. Farquhar Kelly always kept at least one white dog in his pack, despite the general opinion that this colour was of no use; as white dogs were held to be unable to blend into the background they were usually put down at birth..

These white terriers were just as efficient at their work and were the progenitors of the most popular of the Scottish Terrier breeds, the West Highland White terrier. Another family of Kelly’s moved into Drumfearn from Borreraig in Dunvegan in the 1850s. They were the owners of another pack of terriers known locally as the Kelly Terriers, but no description of these dogs has survived.

The Waternish Terriers were the purest strain of terrier to be found on the island. The pictorial evidence of these terriers illustrates the typical working Skye, and a photograph of “Glenifer” (1880) shows him very much a Skye, or he would be if he had a coat. That would have deprived him of his working ability, however. One must remember that the Waternish Terriers are behind the Cairn Terrier of today. Allan Macdonald of Waternish was an early president of the Cairn Terrier Club.

Allan Macdonald owned land in Arisaig on the mainland of Scotland opposite the Sleat Peninusla. In 1761 he married Jean MacKinnon of Corry in Skye and their son, Allan, inherited the state. Allan joined the army in 1799 and retired with the rank of Major in 1821, moving from Arisaig to Ostaig in Skye, which exhibitors today know as the venue for the Skye Terrier Championship Show every five years. With him he brought a pack of terriers. In 1832 he purchased the Waternish Estate where he took a great interest in building up the well known herd of Waternish Highland Cattle as well as working a pack of terriers for bolting otters from cairns under the sea cliffs of Skye, Harris and Uist. Major Allan had two sons, Patrick and Allan.

Allan obtained a commission in the 99th Regiment in 1848, joining his regiment in Tasmania and taking with him several terriers which are generally recognised as being the progenitors of the Australian Terrier. He returned to Britain in 1856 bringing back one terrier which had sailed around the world, and which he left behind in Cork. Captain Allan Macdonald retired in 1857 and took up residence again at Waternish where he enjoyed the life of a gentleman on his estate which boasted an unusual variety of pets, including a tame deer and his fine pack of hunting terriers.

Patrick Macdonald emigrated to Canada in 1863. His son, Allan, was born there, but returned to live with his Uncle at Waternish in 1880, eventually inheriting the estate. Allan continued to keep the terrier pack going as working dogs, but in 1909 this type of dog began to be exhibited at shows in the variety classes, with several Waternish dogs appearing at the Scottish Kennel Club show of 1912 as Cairn Terriers. There can be no doubt that this strain of terriers from Skye, the original Skye Terrier, is responsible for both the Cairn and the Australian Terrier we know today.

John Tolmie of Uignish (1793 - 1844) was a lover of animals and was known to have kept a kennel of Skye Terriers which were greatly sought after for their hunting abilities, and in particular for dispatching otters. Mention of Mr, Tolmie is made by James Wilson in his book “A Voyage Around the Coasts of Scotland”, published in 1842, in which he records receiving the gift of a black-faced sheep and a brace of Skye Terriers, which were named Uigish and Folliart. It is unfortunate that so little evidence of the breed known today as the Skye Terrier is to be found on the Island of Skye, but we must be grateful for writers who have taken the time to describe their findings.

In the sixteenth century Caius wrote of “lap dogs which were brought out of the barbarous borders from the uttermost countryes northward, and they by reason of the length of their heare, made show neither face nor body, and yet these curres forsooth because they are so strange, are greatly set by, esteemed, taken up, and of made of , in room of the spaniell gentle, or comforter”. In the latter half of the sixteenth century the Bishop of Ross describes “a scenting dog of low height, indeed, but of bulkier body, which when creeping into subterranean burrows, routs out foxes, badgers, martens and wild cats from their lurking places and dens”.

Much later in 1860 Charles Richard Weld published a book of his travels in the Highlands, Orcadia and Skye in which he describes a journey from Sligachan to Kyleakin. He records that two miles from Broadford they realised that Captain Wood’s Skye Terrier was missing. The dog is described as a charming little animal of the true breed, now very rare on the island. Despite the author’s concern that the dog may be lost Captain Wood assured him that the dog was well known throughout Skye and frequently stayed behind waiting for the next mail car for a lift! As Captain Wood lived at Reraig near Balmacara the dog would have to cross on the ferry and walk a further five miles before reaching home.

In 1878, the “Highlander” newspaper reported that a Mr. Campbell of Portree had exported a number of Collies and Skye Terriers to a customer at the Zoological Gardens in Paris. There was a possibility of further orders.

Apart from written evidence the only other association with the island terriers comes from the celebrated Scottish landscape artist, Horatio McCulloch, of the Cullins. During one of his trips to Skye he met his future wife, Marcella McLellan of Gillean, near the township of Tarskavaig. it is known that he had several Skye Terriers at his Edinburgh home and it is possible that he brought them from Skye with his wife.

McCulloch had a number of paintings of his dogs, including one of Oscar by Macnee, Bessy by John Glass (which was exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy in 1856) and a Skye Terrier by Thomas Duncan. After his death in 1856 Horatio McCulloch was laid to rest in Warriston Cemetery in Edinburgh and in 1873 a Celtic Cross was erected in his memory. At the base is a bas-relief of a palette, brushes and laurel wreath, while on the other side a Skye Terrier faithfully watches over his master.

The Early Days of the Skye Terrier in Scotland.

Although we have relatively little information from its native isle, the breed is fortunate to have had some extremely famous owners, so we have some information about their devoted dogs. The tragic Mary, Queen of Scots, after nineteen years of imprisonment by the English, was beheaded on the 8th February 1587. While her clothes were being removed after the execution, the Queens Skye terrier crept out from under her skirts to position itself by the severed head of its mistress. The distressed dog was removed and bathed to remove any smell of the Queen’s blood but, despite coaxing, refused to eat and died of a broken heart.

Nearly three hundred years later, during the Indian Massacre of Cawnpore in 1857, an eye witness describes how sepoys stole guns, bags of rupees, gold watches and Skye Terriers. It seems almost incredible that Skye Terriers should have ventured as far as India until one realises that many soldiers and their families from Edinburgh were involved in the mutiny and from the 1850s the Skye was the most popular dog to be found in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, no doubt some of them accompanied their families abroad.

The most famous Skye Terrier of all, Greyfriars Bobby, was born in 1856. Bobby was owned by John Gray, a police constable, and accompanied his master on duty as he patrolled the pens at the Cattle Market and Grass market to ensure that there were no thefts. The police were expected to patrol in pairs and to have a watchdog, which was bought for them by the constabulary. Bobby and his master had only a short working life together when John Gray died of tuberculosis in 1858 and was buried in Greyfriars churchyard. For the next fourteen years Bobby kept a vigil by his master’s grave, rejecting the Grays home and preferring the shelter of a neighbouring gravestone.

Despite his lonely vigil Bobby had many friends who kept him well nourished. These included the Traill family, who owned a restaurant. In his later years Bobby would stay overnight with the Traills. It was there that he died, by the Traill’s fireside when he was fifteen years old.

The story of Bobby’s devotion caught the imagination of Scots from Inverness in the Highlands to the Scottish borders and eventually his fame spread across the world. In 1912 Eleanor Atkinson wrote “Greyfirars Bobby”, which became a best seller, though her version is far removed from the actual story. In the 1960’s Walt Disney made the film “Greyfriars Bobby”, based on Eleanor Atkinsons book. A Skye Terrier look alike was cast in the leading part and became a celebrity in his own right. This canine film star was bought by the Chief Constable of Edinburgh who later gave him to a children’s home where he lived until he was almost eighteen years old.

Today any visitor to Edinburgh should make time to go and see the statue erected in memory of Greyfriars Bobby in 1873 by Baroness Burdett-Coutts. It is situated in Candlemakers Row, close to Greyfriars churchyard where John Gray is buried. A visit to Greyfriars churchyard should also be included, a memorial to Bobby presented by the Dog Aid Society of Scotland, can be seen just inside the gates. The memorial was unveiled by the Duke of Gloucester in 1981. Friends of Bobby in America donated a gravestone which was erected in the churchyard in memory of John Gray. Huntley House Museum on the Royal Mile is also well worth visiting, as photographs of Bobby, his drinking bowl, collar and other memorabilia kindly donated by the Traill family are on display.

Dr. John Brown, a physician in Edinburgh, wrote several essays about his canine friends including one on Peter, his Skye Terrier. Dr. Brown also campaigned for a Dogs Home to be set up for strays in Edinburgh. Unfortunately some Skyes were unwanted, for there was much poverty in the city in the mid 1850’s. One stray found a welcome with Thomas Stevenson and was named Coolin. Thomas’s son was just seven years old at the time but was to become one of the greatest adventure writers of all time, Robert Louis Stevenson.

Years later the eminent surgeon, Sir Walter Simpson, presented Louis and his wife Fanny with a black Skye Terrier. All his life Louis was plagued by ill health, having to spend winters “taking the air” in Switzerland. Naturally his dog Wattie, went too, though he seemed none to impressed with hotels and lifted his leg wherever he fancied! Wattie was said to be much alarmed by his master’s sledging activities hiding his head in Fanny’s shawl and occasionally peeping out to check that Louis was still in one piece.

Being a terrier, Wattie liked nothing better than a good scrap. This was rather one sided in Davos, where the local dogs were obliged to wear muzzles at all times. In 1884, however, the Stevensons moved to Bournemouth, where Wattie continued his sporting activities, with many a serious injury testing the vet’s skills; his opponents in England were not required to wear muzzles! His early death came about on the occasion when, still recovering from his latest hard battle, he launched into another offensive, which proved to be his last. His distraught owners were so heart broken they could never bring themselves to have another dog.

W. H. Naismsith, founder of the Scottish Mountaineering Club, describes an expedition to Kingshouse in Glencoe in 1896. he and his companion cycled the one hundred and twenty miles from Edinburgh in two days and on their arrival were greeted noisily by a Skye Terrier and two young Collies. They made their peace with the dogs by inviting them to share their dinner!

Charles St. John in his book “Wild Sports and Natural History of the Highlands” writes of the Skye Terrier having a great deal of intelligence, learning to watch his masters looks and understand his meaning in a wonderful manner. He goes on to describe the working Skye in great detail.. The book is well worth reading, though modern conservationists will be horrified to learn of so many killings in the name of sport.

The Drop Ear Skye Terrier

Dog shows began in about 1860 and from then on it is possible to trace all the winners up to the present day through the official Stud Books. The earliest show dogs came from Scotland, some of them actually from Skye. Drop ears were in the majority until the turn of the century, when exhibitors favoured the prick eared variety. This is still the case today. Despite this preference the drop ear appears occasionally, though on the continent of Europe this seldom occurs because of the strict regulation which came into effect in 1934 forbidding the interbreeding of prick ears to drop ear dogs.

In most countries the drop ear dog is so unusual that it is treated as a novelty, but a great many Skyes have been drop eared, including the Countess of Aberdeen’s Ch. Aberdeen Mike, Lassikin and Monarch of Haddo, Lady Marcia Miles’ Ch. Grey Dusk, Ch. Merrymount Sundown, Sun Chariot and Sungleam, Lady Williamson’s Elizabeth, Mrs. L. Austin’s Ch Glenshiel Duchess, Mrs. J. Bower’s Ch Kirkleyditch Windflower and Miss N. Bowers Ch Kirkleyditch Carbon Copy, Mrs. L. Hames’ Ch Checkbar Dew Drop, Mr & Mrs Goose’s Ch Coruisky Master Robbie, Evans Ch Norwest Wandering Star and the American import Ch Skyecrest Lady of the Evening and more recently McLeod’s Ch. Esgia Cassiopeia. In 1992 the sight of five drop ears at a British show caused quite a stir and hopefully we will see the original type return in numbers.

Some very fine drop ears have risen to the top in America, the outstanding Ch. Milchrista’s Doctor Pem having been a big winner in the sixties. He went on to sire several drops, many of which became Champions, including Ch. Malgrem’s Missus and Ch. Malgrem’s Dr. Pem 111. Ch. Twin Town Sweet William, a cream drop, was the first of this colour to take his title in America and Ch. Teakwood’s Dew Drop, Ch. Dunvegan Cladich Brigadoon, Ch. Skyecrest Rugby and Ch. Skyecrest Lady Mona are all excellent specimens of the American drop ear.

In Sweden and Finland drop ears appear from time to time. Ch. Floriando sired two drops, one of them being Silverprint Goodfellow at Esgia, who was imported into Britain. Ch. Lollipos Good Locomotion and Ch. Fairsky’s Engel in My Heart gained their titles in Sweden and Ch. Suskey’s Butterscotch and Ch. Skyemoor Lucky Love in Finland.

In Australia the drop ear has become fairly common due to inbreeding as the available stock is limited. This has resulted in an above average number of drops, including Ch. Danehill Gay Princess, Ch. Skyehom MacDougal, Ch. Gardonay Silver Melody, Raldoris Howdoee and Ch. Skyeclan Bohemian Rhapsody. Those who have been lucky enough to own a drop ear will tell you that they are different from the prick eared variety. Having a Skye Terrier is a special experience, but having a drop ear defies description!

Skye Terrier Affixes  Past & Present

Abbeywater    Aberdeen   Acheo   Adel   Aelfric   Aiminghigh   Aitchjay  Applecross   Arkond   Arym  Azrakhan  Auchenbathie

Ballochmyle   Balquatson   Battramsley   Betsett   Bhuidh  Blairside   Blaven   Bracadale   Brackenville   Brakemill   Bymbriger  Burmar  Burnhervie

Cabrins   Caelum   Canister   Carmicks  Celticbridge   Chasegate   Checkbar  Coralynne   Corsky   Coruisky   Coruisk   Craigmohr   Crowfield  Crumstone   Culsh

Davesfame   Delhorn   Dolphaz   Donard   Doubletop   Douce  Drewsteignton   Drumfearn

Eastneuk   Esgia   Fairby   Fanling   Fartonia   Faygate   Fenbeach  Feorlig   Feryemount   Fiataich   Fiskavaig

Fael   Gallondean   Galochsi   Glenshiel   Glordfindel   Greenside  Greenway   Grovenor   Grunaker  Gumshoe

Happyhill   Hingjake   Holmesdale   Hornblower

Index

Jansown   Jebusa   Jeraro   Joyscavey

Kalow   Kasmiks   Kayenne  Kenmilltri  Kenocto   Kilfinian   Kingdick   Kirkby   Kirkleyditch Kizimarc   Klerikos   Knowlespring   Kyloran

Lynaire  Luckie

Mallysmar   Malsville   Maridale   Mariquita   Marjayn   Marinsley  Maui  Meerend   Merchiston   Merrymount   Meurig   Mizbrooke  Moontana   Mynd

Netherby   Nettleham   Noreaster   Norwest

Oldmeer   Oran   Orasaidh   Osmart

Parlour  Papplewick   Peacecot   Peacehaven   Perluche   Pendlebrook  Pendlepindi   Pensford   Pensing   Perlor   Perrylands   Petwalk   Pyon

Quarrydale

Rasenglade   Ravag   Reeberich   Reignmakers   Rhoderns  Rhosneigr   Roban   Ronang   Roshven

Aint Antoine   Salena   Scarista   Seamap   Senkrah   Shawrigg   Silhill  Silisia   Skcantdu   Skeitos   Skellgarth   Skyeline   Skyerise   Skyetalian  Skyelander  Skyhigh   Skykim   Skynoustie   Southernhills   Spenmoss   Speywood   Starleypoint   Sternoc  Stradbally  Struanmore   Sukis   Suncharm

Talyot   Tarskavaig   Teagholme   Thisltegate   Triermain  Tsuki

Valclusa   Vanghapar   Venthamcourt

Wallasey   Wearnstone   Wellknowe   Wemoway   Weybourne  Whicheeta  Whodeanie   Wishanger   Wismar   Wolverley

Yoxford

Zuthisl