How to Groom a Skye Terrier

Skye Terriers are small, stately dogs with dark eyes and black ears. The breed is the result of Maltese dogs mating with the native terriers of the island. Their coats are traditionally very straight and flat, without waviness or curl. Skye Terriers demand a fair bit of grooming attention and should receive a full grooming every 4 to 5 weeks.

Things You'll Need

• Slicker brush
• Pin brush
• Mat rake
• Cotton balls
• Metal comb
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Brush out the dog's coat often with a slicker brush, pin brush and a mat rake to prevent tangling in both the topcoat and the undercoat. The undercoat can become even more matted once it gets wet, so always brush out the coat before a bath. Skye Terriers shed an average amount of hair.

2. Bathe gently without scrubbing very hard. If you over-scrub the coat, it may lose some of its shiny, soft texture and become coarse. During the bath, put cotton balls in the dog's ears to prevent excess water from entering the ear canal. Skye Terriers can get water in their ears very easily.

3. Hand-fluff the dog after a bath. Brush the dog's hair into a neat part down center of the back using combs. Make sure to firmly comb down the sides of the coat to flatten it straight down. Tidy up the ear area, trimming stray hairs if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Skye Terriers have a life expectancy of about 12 to 15 years of age.

• The topcoat of the Skye Terrier should always be flat and straight. The undercoat is much softer, and lies close to the body. The coat may change significantly once the dog is an adult. It can take several years for a full adult coat to develop.

• Be careful with the hair during a bath--avoid splitting and breaking the hairs as this can ruin the appearance of the coat. If the dog isn't in show, then it's acceptable to keep his hair clipped shorter.