The story of the Skye Terrier goes back as far as the fourteenth century, originating on the Island of Skye off the coast of Scotland. This breed is known as the oldest in Scotland. Like most terriers, they were used to hunt vermin. The most talented in this regard came from the west coast of Scotland.
It is said that a Spanish man-of-war became shipwrecked off the Scottish coast. Local Scotsmen found surviving Maltese dogs among the wreckage, and these dogs interbred with local terriers, producing a breed with a long, silky coat. The Skye Terrier thrived, taking root in the northwestern part of Scotland.
Queen Victoria of England took a liking to these dogs when she took the throne in the 1800s. They became quite popular among the British nobility. Though the popularity of the breed has somewhat diminished since its peak, they have a devoted following.
