Skye Terrier Grooming

The Skye Terrier is a small- to medium-sized breed with a long, flowing double coat. And though at first glance the coat may appear to be extremely high-maintenance, that's not really the case. Overall Skye Terrier grooming doesn't take a great deal of time, and will depend largely on owners' preferred hairstyles.

See below for further info about maintaining the Skye Terrier coat.

Despite its luxurious appearance, Skye Terrier grooming only takes a fair amount of work overall. While Skyes shed moderately and their coats mat and tangle a bit, they'll only need brushing 1-2 times per week. They will need frequent baths, though, to keep the long hair silky and clean. And depending on your preferred style, Skyes will need haircuts every 2-3 months.

Brushing: Owners will need both a pin brush and a good 2-in-1 comb. Brush as follows: first wet the coat with mist from a spray bottle (and you can add a bit of de-tangling solution to the water if you like). Then starting at the shoulders, go through the entire coat section by section with the brush, using long, sweeping strokes; you may want to use the comb to go through the hair on the head and ears. If you encounter a tangle or mat, first try working it out with your fingers, then continue working through it with the comb.

Bathing: Your Skye Terrier may be small enough to bathe in the kitchen sink; otherwise, a bathtub or outdoor kiddie pool will work. To bathe: first give the dog a thorough brushing, then wet the coat entirely. Add a small amount of shampoo to the dog's back, then lather well, working downward as you go. (And be sure to use canine shampoo and conditioner, as the kind made for humans can irritate the dog's skin.) Lather the legs, underbelly, and tail, then finish with the head, ears, and face--and you might want to use a washcloth on these areas to avoid getting soap in the dog's eyes. Rinse well, then repeat the process with conditioner. After the final rinse, towel- and/or blow-dry, then give the coat another quick brush-through to make it look clean and neat.

Haircuts: This breed's long coat means numerous hairstyles are possible--and depending on your chosen style, your Skye will need a trim every couple or three months to keep it looking good. Though owners can certainly learn to cut their dogs' hair themselves, at least one trip to a professional groomer is recommended. The groomer can demonstrate the proper hair cutting method, and provide tips on how to groom a Skye Terrier in general.