The Paisley Terrier was a breed of terrier-type dog originating in Scotland. The Paisley was bred primarily as a pet and show dog, and is considered a version of the extant Skye Terrier, and was the progenitor of today's Yorkshire Terrier. The breed was called the Paisley Terrier since most of the dogs came from the town of Paisley, Scotland, but it was also called the Clydesdale Terrier, for another location - Clyde Valley - where the dogs were also heavily bred.
In a book written in 1894, the author Rawdon Lee speculates that the Paisley Terrier was created by fanciers in Glasgow who selected Skye Terriers with short backs and long, silky coats, "until they bred fairly truly." Going on to describe the breed, Lee writes that "though he can kill rats, and maybe other vermin, the Paisley Terrier is essentially a pet dog and is usually kept as such."
The breed was indeed primarily a pet, but it was also a popular show dog. In 1903, the breed was referred to as, "a fancier's dog, a sport from the Skye Terrier stock," and despite some fanciers of the time claiming that the breed had the, "hardiness and fitness for terrier work... it is evident that a dog with a coat that looks like silk is simply a toy." Owners and breeders in the 1800s placed a high value on the beautiful blue and tan coat, and would cover the dog's feet and tie the hair back over their eyes to keep the coat looking at its best for dog shows.
The Kennel Club recognized the Paisley Terrier in 1888 as a variety of the Skye Terrier, even though separate show classes had been held for the two types in 1887. However, there were so few entries that the Kennel Club did not continue to encourage offering the category at further exhibitions.
The breed's success as a show dog may actually have led to its decline. Judges would give awards to the dogs with the long, attractive coat, since length of coat was a principal factor in Skye Terriers. The Paisleys, bred for long but soft coats, would win a majority of the prizes. Skye Terrier fanciers objected to the type being shown with Skyes, since they considered the Paisleys to be another breed or possibly even a Skye crossed with Dandie Dinmont Terriers. The interest of fanciers declined as the controversy increased, and the breed began to disappear.
A book published in 1918 describes Paisley Terriers as rare and states, "I doubt that you'll ever see one in the United States." But with recent historical focus on past breeds that is growing within the United States, there is a likelihood that there will be attempts to resurrect the breed, much the way we did the Irish Wolfhound.
The famous 1860s show dog Huddersfield Ben came from Paisley Terrier stock in the 1860s, and is considered by all authorities to be the founding sire of the Yorkshire Terrier breed - although the Yorkshire Terrier was not recognized until 1890. It is also the ancestor of many other breeds, notably the Silky Terrier and the Biewer Terrier.
If extinct breeds interest you, check out our other article Four Extinct Dog Breeds You've Probably Never Heard Of!
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