tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post2211522131114470019..comments2024-03-20T17:32:35.238+00:00Comments on Pedigree Dogs Exposed - The Blog: Skye-fallJemima Harrisonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05092892697145388048noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-5288724992237296392020-10-01T02:11:51.305+01:002020-10-01T02:11:51.305+01:00I don't know why being a ratter is so importan...I don't know why being a ratter is so important. One of my Salukis caught a rat in the yard of our town house. She also alerted us to snakes at my father's shed. Another regularly caught possums in our small yard. <br />The Skye we are dog sitting atm is afraid of my old Saluki when she is playing outside, and hides and whimpers. The Skye also hates being carried, especially belly up. Not a problem for the Saluki who is a big baby. The long back and short legs are no advantage. The little dog has difficulty with steps and has a ridiculous, easily knotted coat even though she is just a pet. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-620252256466454262015-04-27T06:04:54.858+01:002015-04-27T06:04:54.858+01:00Jerry Alley you forgot in your flush of excitement...Jerry Alley you forgot in your flush of excitement to leave a link. Its interesting to note anyway that one of the three "Skye terriers" owned by queen Victoria was called Dandie Dinmont. Im sure Sir Walter would've been pleased at least.Antonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14041212020431214852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-67745778829693522152015-04-26T22:44:14.641+01:002015-04-26T22:44:14.641+01:00Well that told you, River P... ;-)Well that told you, River P... ;-)Jemima Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05092892697145388048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-57180832495582048672015-04-26T22:32:12.492+01:002015-04-26T22:32:12.492+01:00If you will check my Pintrest page you will find s...If you will check my Pintrest page you will find several pictures of Mary Queen Of Scots with her Skye Terriers. History also confirms that she favored Skyes. Having owned Skyes for 37 years, being a breeder as well as a judge I feel qualified to certify that you, River P., are definitely an idiot. You could not be more incorrect about the breed, and I doubt seriously if you have ever seen one. It is sad that well meaning people will read your drivel and accept it.as knowledgeable. May I suggest that for the near future that you limit your comments to the African Piss AntJerry Alley Chair: Skye Terrier Rescuenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-32776455586920865122015-02-21T04:07:50.144+00:002015-02-21T04:07:50.144+00:00I think this is a real problem in dog breeding. Mo...I think this is a real problem in dog breeding. Most of the supposed "experts" cannot even recognise that their dogs are deformed never mind that the fact that their dogs are so dangerously inbred. This is what they think defines "pedigree" their inbred monstrosities and not healthy dogs.<br /><br />Of course if you bring this to their attention they attack you for not being an expert. <br /><br />To me it makes complete sense how the only thing any breeders or owner here has said of any worth is that there "might" be a small pocket of dogs of the breed around in the world somewhere who could save the small majority facing complete extinction. Only if of course their pedigrees where actually fully recored which they're not. <br /><br />A true expert of course would suggest outcrossing to a different breed altoghether! Catterpillar? (:<br /><br />Antonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14041212020431214852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-85004341579577436832015-02-17T01:07:54.535+00:002015-02-17T01:07:54.535+00:00Yes, but compared to River P, most people would be...Yes, but compared to River P, most people would be!! Odd how the majority of people on her who have owned the breed show just how unbalanced the original post was, yet Miss Harrison has not replied to any of them, or indeed garnered any evidence to support her "claim". Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-45512541424280978212015-02-13T11:48:38.985+00:002015-02-13T11:48:38.985+00:00I met a Westie yesterday in Australia, he's 15...I met a Westie yesterday in Australia, he's 15 and in very good nick, maybe a bit stiff but otherwise doesn't show his age at all. Still runs around the farm chasing "chooks" and is a well behaved city dog during the week, chauffeured in a plush limo from townhouse to farm every weekend. I have no idea if that age is exceptional for a Westie but I was quite impressed when he leap out of the car after the choooks I must say.Antonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14041212020431214852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-58188948677145578442015-02-08T17:45:30.758+00:002015-02-08T17:45:30.758+00:00West Highland White terriers are short-legged, hai...West Highland White terriers are short-legged, hairy, need regular clipping, and white to boot! Yet they are extremely popular -at least in Spain-, so you never know ...boxerhttp://www.boxerurkabustaiz.es/sorne.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-3163947682241574862015-02-04T03:40:40.056+00:002015-02-04T03:40:40.056+00:00Hi Sharon, my family totally agrees with you. We w...Hi Sharon, my family totally agrees with you. We would LOVE to know how you managed to get 3 drop eared Skye Terriers...we love that style of ear too. We rescued our first Skye from the woods.... a lost Skye Terrier a number of years ago and fell in love with the breed. We were able to track down who bred the dog; who his sister was, etc. and even to guess how he ended up where he was. He was 4 years old at the time and lived with us to age 14. We soon managed to rescue 3 other Skye Terriers...2 prick-eared and 1 drop-eared, all girls. We had never known there was such a thing as a drop eared. They are from different families. 2 from Peekskill, NY, but bred in Central Florida...original owner passed away. Our drop-eared Skye was rescued from near Atlanta, GA. It should be noted that cancer in humans as we age is common....so having a dog with cancer is not unheard of. While we are not breeders, we have grown to love this breed. There must be some way to save these beautiful dogs.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-81019537457238495552015-02-03T05:44:56.931+00:002015-02-03T05:44:56.931+00:00Yes I was just reading up on the history of the We...Yes I was just reading up on the history of the West Highland white, it makes interesting reading. <br /><br />http://home.planet.nl/~leuse004/historyen.htm<br /><br />These terriers of the Scottish region were all collectively known as the Scottish Terrier. They were commonly interbred. After some of the types were registered in the early 1900's the kennel club and the American kennel club took measures to end cross breeding for good for these. This is when it all came unstuck and the show Skye was also born.<br /><br />The "Westie" in fact wasn't even an all white terrier. Anything white and fluffy and Scottish before registration with the kennel club is included into their history as being a "Westie". I suppose this make believe is to try and bolster the imaginary fact that the breed isn't the "mish mash" the Scottish terrier, to me what must have been a perfectly acceptable healthy dog much like unregistered JRTs are today.<br /><br />Take away Kennel Club registrations, closed stud books and conformation shows and the Skye will either go extinct or find a new purpose in a much invigorated form. No doubt, even as a pet.<br /><br />I have to say Im appalled for the JRTs that are rapidly becoming a show dog for all the same reasons. Sadly these show dogs influence is becoming greater, even in the general population as the working dog is too game for the average pet owner and a pedigree is sold as proof of breed. I can recognise in some countries the rather dull show (especially the Australian JRT) types influence in character and conformation and its not a good thing, diseases are now also raising their ugly head too.<br /><br />History it seems definitely has a nasty habit of repeating itself.<br /><br />Im all for performance testing and appraisals within breed clubs with permanently open stud books or improvement registers that include all acceptable types the broader the better. The problem is "acceptable types" causes mayhem and personal agendas that often lead to political infighting and and and so standards need to be brief and quite vague and let the dogs differ slightly between regions. Seems we need to learn to agree to disagree for our breed of choice and let the dogs do the speaking.<br /><br />A pet dog breed needs as much performance testing as a dog breed used for retrieving birds of course, unless you are simply willing to take your chances on a rescue of any type that takes your fancy.<br /><br />I prefer to get a dog based on reputation and knowledge of it's parents ability and character alone, that suits me fine for both a pet and a working dog, I treat them the same. Im not against dogs with pedigrees I just avoid them but especially if they are showing pedigrees. Antonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14041212020431214852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-50515310344545366012015-02-03T03:19:51.488+00:002015-02-03T03:19:51.488+00:00Going back to the ratting thing quite few of the s...Going back to the ratting thing quite few of the sharper breed types like Border collies and the more primitive breeds etc will take to ratting I know this but again its a type.<br /><br />On the very emotive (apparently) issue of long or short legs in the JRT it all depends on what you need in a JRT which might determine if they are a shorter type or longer in the leg. By the way I also think its healthy to have a useful variety in any type.<br /><br />Im based in China at the moment and not too far from us is a soya factory yard. They ferment soya in extremely large (very attractive) earthenware pots sunk into the earth, glazed shiny black inside from years, generations of soya production. As far as factories go this soya one is quite charming, organic, more like a farm. The smell is pungent but deliciously yeasty savoury from a distance. <br /><br />The antique and newly seasoned pots sunk in rows outdoors present a problem when it comes to rats and mice as they they live in the dark shelter beneath the rims. <br />Factory dogs which are a motley bunch of quite primitive Oriental looking medium sized dogs here chase these rats which they also catch and readily eat. These dogs can only catch them in the open once flushed by much smaller dogs and in this case fairly newly introduced JRT's. <br /><br />I've spent many a pleasant afternoon chatting with the soya baron in his excellent and perhaps paradoxical Oxford English accent while watching his dogs at work. <br />The most prized dogs on the property are the two very short legged, longer backed (just an illusion actually) JRTs. He had bought three from one litter no pedigree, purchased based on working reputation, classic all white brown patch short haired types. Two grew up very short and one with long thin legs. The short ones have no difficulty at all zipping beneath the rims of the pots and are extremely successful in dispatching mice and rats. The longer legged one just doesn't have the speed as he must crouch down and wiggle (admittedly very fast) but he doesn't often catch anything unless one of the others has flushed it his way. He spends most of his time trying to dig passages unsuccessfully through the thick woven matting between the pots. <br /><br />All depends on the terrain who is best and where. Horses for courses and all that.<br /><br />Obviously these dogs are some of the happiest dogs on the planet as they live for the job. These short, proportionally also small headed JRTs are highly esteemed for the job as a result. You see not everyone is hunting ground hogs in Punxsutawney or where ever and what ever they do out there. <br /><br />For general terrain I think both short and long legs would be ideal in fact, like around a farm yard for instance. I think its pointless to discriminate because the working and pet ones without pedigrees are indeed generaly happy healthy dogs after all (:<br /><br />I can think of other situations too where the shorter ones have proven ideal, hunting in boulder country in Africa the shorter ones have a big advantage being close to the ground. They dont fall off easily being close to gravity and can get between and under easily too. I also know of a taller one crossed with whippet who makes the best silent pointer in the grass at the edge of forest thicket for shooting wild African boar. Stealth plus gamness. She can spend hours tracking primates too, absolutely silent then dead still nose pointing into a tree.......many more jobs than just flushing a fox in the home counties, absolutely!Antonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14041212020431214852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-33166954985692793172015-02-03T03:19:00.713+00:002015-02-03T03:19:00.713+00:00@14:17 I agree with the first there is definitely ...@14:17 I agree with the first there is definitely breeder blindness to many suggestion of welfare issues in breeds that are clearly suffering, this is legendary, the hush hush its ok no one will notice is a problem. The dogs certainly notice, though.<br /><br />As far as ratting is concerned and this is a completely different subject of course but I must here disagree. On behalf of all the perfectly good dogs who wont catch a rat and all the best ones that do what you claim is just not true.<br /><br />What Im saying is of course perfectly obvious, a lot of breeds are not hunting dogs at all, in any sense. They don't have the drive or gameness. Then there are those that do that are bred for hunting that aren't interested in a mouse or rat either. These are specialists, a retriever isn't much interested for example.<br /><br />While it could make me feel warm and fuzzy to offer up anecdotal evidence I have in fact kept, we have kept over the years many hunting dogs, mostly hunting dogs. Borzoi to Pointers (sigh) JRT's, retrievers, Africanis (not the pedigree number) even a pitbull etc. Most have been sufficiently game to do a job on a large farm where I grew up. Some of these dogs progeny and their descendants are still hunting and producing hunting dogs in various forms often crossed with other breeds as is the way in some parts of the world where there isn't a neurosis about pedigree. I can still see the influence of our Borzoi for example in the coursing hounds of our district up in the cool highlands where they are used to catch deer. This is to say Im not entirely unfamiliar with hunting dogs. <br /><br />Most of ours haven't been much interested in a rat or mouse except the JRTs the pit and the African dog and quite obsessively and succesfully so. <br /><br />Im not very familiar with the showing world of dogs but Im sure a lot have lost the ability if not the instinct to do the job they first started out doing but some have retained a fair degree of gameness this I know to be true. So even if the Sky looks like it can't it very well might still want to or even be fairly successful at it, yes. <br /><br />While retaining a healthy degree of scepticism I don't think there is a need to disagree with everything pedigree showing people with experience of a breed say because that is perhaps not as constructive as engagement is where possible.<br /><br />TBC...Antonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14041212020431214852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-22547208051057351632015-02-02T14:17:19.702+00:002015-02-02T14:17:19.702+00:00Same old, unless you live with the bred, I've ...Same old, unless you live with the bred, I've been in the bred so many years years, I know best. Either ignoring the statistical evidence or twisting to suit them.<br />I live with dogs and they are also brilliant and can catch rats and don't need to have a long back and short legs to do so. Some of the best terriers for ratting are the longer legged in variety. It actually don't take much to catch a rat, other than luck. All dogs if allowed to know they are a dog, if given the opportunity can catch a rat, it's a dog thing, something they do, even if they are not a Skye terrier.<br />I wonder why not many new people are coming into the breed ? Taking a stab at an answer, would be because of people like you stuck in the Victorian ideology of breeding dogs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-3645657398160840482015-02-01T23:33:42.987+00:002015-02-01T23:33:42.987+00:00The writer of this article obviously has never spe...The writer of this article obviously has never spent a moment with the Skye Terriers of the USA. I cannot speak for the Skyes of other countries as I have not seen them but I would assume that they are of similar quality as I have seen and judged several imports. My Skyes do well in the confirmation ring and I hunt them for rats on the river that is close to my home. Trust me they can still do what they were bred for. I have never had Skye with a back problem and I have had Skyes for 32 years. Yes there is a limited gene pool, but there is a treasure of dedicated breeders who are working very carefully to enlarge the available gene pool and reduce tight in breeding.. And yes the breed has low numbers but it is the result of our not introducing new people into the breed rather than some supposed fault with Skyes. May I humbly suggest that the writer spend some time with a Skye and its breeder. I can recommend several in various countries. What you will find are people dedicated to the health and well being of their chosen breed. Don't spend to much time with a Skye or you will have to print a retraction to the nonsense that you have loosed on the public. Shame on you.Jerry Alley Kamal Saluki & Skye Terriersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-2115022479609628362015-01-31T13:35:04.035+00:002015-01-31T13:35:04.035+00:00We must presume you are an expert then ?We must presume you are an expert then ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-64836882926365622612015-01-30T14:04:39.129+00:002015-01-30T14:04:39.129+00:00River P with regards to Dogs says so much and know...River P with regards to Dogs says so much and knows so littleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-75899511427306625732015-01-29T10:26:30.974+00:002015-01-29T10:26:30.974+00:00If anyone thinks breeding dogs with unmanageable c...If anyone thinks breeding dogs with unmanageable coats is a good idea take a look at these horrific images of Puli dogs entrapped in their own coats unable to walk see or hear.<br /><br />https://www.thedodo.com/shaggy-dog-transformed-uk-949470523.html<br /><br />It's simply inhumane to breed dogs like this. It might be fine for some dedicated showing owners but its a complete and utter nightmare for any dog whose coat is even slightly neglected. Lets face it this atrocity will happen to most of these breeds. Any dog that cannot more or less look after its own coat is in danger as they are totaly dependant on humans who are all too unreliable.<br /><br />This applies to cats as well. <br /><br />It should be outlawed to breed for characteristics that endanger the welfare of the dog. End of story.<br />Antonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14041212020431214852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-36960737722061785032015-01-28T02:30:04.593+00:002015-01-28T02:30:04.593+00:00Oh yes thanks for that @11:59
That German site sh...Oh yes thanks for that @11:59<br /><br />That German site shows the change of the dog from a working dog to a show dog very nicely. I can read and understand German perfectly just dont ask me to speak any.<br /><br />"Shaws Flora" pictured is a lovely dog. As the caption states this dog represents the original working Sky. I can easily see Greyfriars Bobby in there, they look almost identical. Bobby cast from a live example has a very slightly more luxuriant curly coat is the only difference. There would have been more healthy and slight variety in the dog then, but nothing approaching as extreme as what we have today.<br /><br />Then came the show bench and it all went wrong as we can graphically see. The type changed completely. Im guessing the Scottish terrier fits in here somewhere too as a deviation.<br /><br />The showing version is not the same dog at all sadly. I would agree that the original working dog was longer than tall, a bit like many JRT's today rectangle rather than square etc.<br /><br />The coat changed dramatically into what looks like long soft and useless for day to day wear and the ears went up into a strange also covered in silky hair happening. All in all a bit like what happened to the Yorkshire terrier which is a complete travesty as a show dog. What a pity the tail vanished between its legs too or do they do this naturally when leashed, that embarrassed look.<br /><br />I love that original dog it looks charming with its stiff eyebrows and whiskers, it can see properly too! I reckon you could easily use any of the other small terriers on the modern show dog to improve them if desired. Cairn, Norwich types like that. The coat needs shortening too its completely dysfunctional even for a family pet. Believe me I know I kept Sealyhams and far far far highly recommend a cross with a short haired JRT in there and fairly recently if not F1.<br /><br />Just makes you wonder what breeders were thinking it does. I definitely agree that the dog as a functional pet companion and or working dog has been ruined in favour of an abomination of a fanciers dog. But I guess that's all people know these days so its hardly a wonder the defenders are up in arms.<br /><br />Yes absolutely Im sure they are still adorable beneath all of that if their characters haven't been ruined too, they are dogs after all. Does it tend to be a one persons dog as someone here suggested because that's a real problem and not in any way a virtue in my books at least.<br /><br />Hey eleven is not old for a little terrier. That's prime time.Antonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14041212020431214852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-71772150127787796772015-01-27T11:59:04.383+00:002015-01-27T11:59:04.383+00:00The Skye (as in Isle of Skye) has always been a lo...The Skye (as in Isle of Skye) has always been a long and low terrier with lots of coat. In London, at the Natural History Museum, you can see Wolverley Chummie, born in 1899. He lived until he was 11 years old.<br />Unfortunately I cannot add a photo in this comment, but here is a link.<br />http://piclib.nhm.ac.uk/results.asp?image=100929&itemw=4&itemf=0003&itemstep=1&itemx=1<br /><br />Here again you can find a photo of Wolverley Duchess, born 1894. You can see the proportions and coat better.<br />http://www.skye-terrier.net/html/marz1.html<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-38984413915637874692015-01-27T11:52:18.597+00:002015-01-27T11:52:18.597+00:00Stories I read about Queen Mary of Scots, was the ...Stories I read about Queen Mary of Scots, was the dog was a small black spaniel and as small spaniels were the court dogs of this time, I seriously doubt the provenance of saying, the dog found under her petticoat was a Skye Terrier. I have yet to find a painting of Queen Mary of Scots with a Skye type dog, but paintings of her with small type spaniels can easily be found.<br />At this time Skye terriers would not of been court dogs, they were hunting dogs, so very unlikely she had one in court as a lap dog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-18959792085446060922015-01-27T04:23:21.481+00:002015-01-27T04:23:21.481+00:00Was the Sky always a dachshund type hound dog? Tha...Was the Sky always a dachshund type hound dog? That statue doesn't look like one to me.Antonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14041212020431214852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-60275389958408143412015-01-27T04:19:58.548+00:002015-01-27T04:19:58.548+00:00Anon@15:15 I think this hysteria around designer d...Anon@15:15 I think this hysteria around designer dogs is misplaced.<br /><br />All pedigree dogs are in fact designer dogs even some of the most primitive looking ones or the oldest recognised breeds. Just because a breed has been around for a couple of hundred years doesn't make it less of a designer dog than one created yesterday, it just makes them more prone to health problems because of closed stud books which has led to inbreeding over many years, plus in most case inbreeding and linebreeding to fix desirable traits based on the popular dogs winning in the show ring.<br /><br />Some of these breeds are more popular than others and have retained sizeable numbers but this doesn't mean they are any less prone to being crippled messes.<br /><br />This is different for working dogs which are bred for function, as the criteria is based on performance rather than a fix standard. These breeders will in some cases readily outcross to another breed even to tweak that performance, but functionality is prized beyond all else.<br /><br />Besides the worry you have about "designer dogs" the confidence placed in health testing to cure pedigree dogs of health problems and genetic bottle necks is also misplaced. <br /><br />The only way that can be achieved is to outcross to unrelated breeds once in awhile much like "designer" dogs are produced or most pedigree dog long time ago. The problems start arising when designer dogs are in fact bred like pedigree dogs are today for showing and to fix type. The default method of inbreeding and line breeding within closed stud books to fix traits to a fixed standard to win ribbons. More and more diseases appear this way not to mention loss of function and illnesses associated with exaggerations like whacky giant bat ears, excessive coats or flat noses, long backs short legs etc are awarded and rewarded to the breeds detriment. <br /><br />Side by side all pedigree dogs represent in fact a "mish mashed" single species Canis lupus familiaris<br /><br />All the time and energy in health testing does not automatically give a breeder a Noddy badge. Improving genetic diversity in a way that matters does though for all breeds even new or "designer" ones.<br /><br />I suggest you read http://www.border-wars.com/2013/05/health-testing-in-dogs-is-limited.html because there are in fact ways to help the Sky terrier regain genetic diversity and be healthy at least if you avoid any exaggerations associated with illness and lack of function.<br /><br />Dog breeds are a lot more flexible and forgiving to out crossing to other breeds than people realise even with just the three hundred and thirty nine FCI recognised breeds alone staring at us right in the face. Many breeds, shapes but one species all Canis lupus familiaris.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Antonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14041212020431214852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-61598984628478097332015-01-26T23:17:36.078+00:002015-01-26T23:17:36.078+00:00Jemima, you clearly do not know Skyes.
First o...Jemima, you clearly do not know Skyes. <br /><br />First of all, in the United States, 1 in 3 of ALL canines will contract cancer. Period. It is considered due to environmental and dietary issues in large part. ONE IN THREE DOGS WILL CONTRACT CANCER. <br /><br />Secondly, since the 1980's about 20-25 Skyes have had confirmed cases of renal dysplasia. This is less than 1% of the gene pool. <br /><br />Thirdly, most breeders today are looking very hard and long at pedigrees and doing health testing before breeding. We want to avoid those problems. There are only about 3000 Skyes in the world, but we can find diverse genes by importing from other places, and by importing semen for AI's. You don't have to throw the baby out with the bath water just because the baby got dirty.<br /><br />My own Skyes have lived from 12 to 14 plus years. I have friends who have had Skyes live 15 plus years and others who died far too young. But again, ONE IN THREE DOGS OF ALL BREEDS WILL DIE OF CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES. CHECK THE FACTS WITH THE CENTER FOR CANINE RESEARCH. <br /><br />Skyes have a long back, and have been known for centuries as low, long, and level. You claim they are not recognizable from Skyes 100 years ago. That is untrue. First of all, I own 3 drops. They all look remarkably like Greyfriar's Bobby. Secondly, I would be more than happy to post some lithographs for you from 100 years ago to show you what Skyes actually looked like then. They were low, long, and level. <br /><br />Yes, many today have longer hair than in the past. They are not hunted as much as in the past. When they run in the fields all day, you cannot maintain that lovely, long coat. But that is not a change in the structure of the dog; that is a change in the manner of care for the coat. <br /><br />My Skyes are loving, loving, devoted members of my family. They are excellent with children. We love them, and it hurts to hear people like you who clearly do not know or understand the breed or the people trying to perpetuate the breed to attack it in such a frivolous manner. Yes, my dear, frivolous. Why don't you go meet Maude Hawkes or Gail Marshall, Skyes breeders in the UK, who are also judges, and in Maude's case, a geneticist, and ask them about our breed? <br /><br />After World War II, it is true that the genetic pool was very depleted. I imagine the breed almost died out at that time, and might have died out but for the concentrated efforts of some very devoted breeders. We are lucky today that the numbers are creeping up again. They are a lovely breed, and certainly not deserving of the bad rep you have dished out on them here. <br /><br />By the way, did you know that Mary Queen of Scots died with a Skye beneath her skirts? Or that Queen Victoria is painted with several Skyes? <br /><br />Check with the Skye Club if you want correct information about our breed. Sharon K. Middletonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-15140042561000013782015-01-26T23:05:33.453+00:002015-01-26T23:05:33.453+00:00As an owner of Skyes for over 18 years, I can say ...As an owner of Skyes for over 18 years, I can say that the breed is healthier today than it was when I first got involved in it. In 20 years, there have only been about 20 to 25 cases of known renal dysplasia in the WORLD. Yes, we worry about genetic anomalies because of our tight gene pool, which is also why most Skye breeders are working hard to expand our gene pool by importing dogs, and semen for AI's from unrelated dogs. That is how we expand a gene pool in a rare and endangered species like Skyes. ALL canines have a 1 in 3 chance of developing cancer in their lifetime, usually due to environmental issues and diet. To say that Skyes should die out is outrageous. Skyes have long been known as long, low and level. Our standard calls for 2 times the height for the length because in dachshunds, 1.5 times tends to result in bad backs. I have seen few Skyes with bad backs over the years. Yes, now and then you see one with elbow dysplasia or premature closure. We are all working together worldwide to do OFA certifications on our dogs, and to breed healthy dogs to healthy dogs, to eradicate those problems, like they did with PRA in English cockers. I love my Skyes. They are a nice size, and are fun dogs. Mine are good with children, and in fact, my grandkids love them. My grandson loves to show one of our Skyes. . They are protective, loving, and loyal. They are a mid-sized dog with short legs. Mine have lived 12 plus to 14 plus in age. That is not a bad life span for a mid sized dog. Others I know have died older, and others younger of cancer, but again, 1 in 3 dogs of any breed or of mixed breed will contract cancer in the United States. Did you know that Mary Queen of Scots died with a Skye beneath her skirts? Did you know that I own 3 drop eared Skyes, and they all closely resemble Greyfriar's Bobby? Did you know if you look at lithograps of Skyes from even the mid 1800's, they look much like Skyes do today. Your author has no idea what they are saying when they say they look nothing like they used to look. That is ridiculous. I will be happy to post photos if you would like to see historical photos of Skyes and current ones. This article is a horrible travesty and unfair representation of our beloved breed. The author clearly knows little about Skyes. It is sad that all many people will hear about Skyes is what this fool has written today. Sharon K. Middletonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1183957703077342201.post-85574295771894340592015-01-26T22:59:54.524+00:002015-01-26T22:59:54.524+00:00I've had skye terriers for 41 years. In those ...I've had skye terriers for 41 years. In those 41 years of skyes I have had no breed specific health problems, and have had few health issues. I have NEVER, EVER had a back problem with any skye, and they were longer than many seen in the ring today. This article and many of the comments only prove that the writers have little, if any, actual Knowledge of skye terriers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com