Which is Better Between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier?

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Australian Cattle Dog Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Australian Cattle Dog and for the Skye Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Cattle Dog or the Skye Terrier.

Australian Cattle Dog versus Skye Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Australian Cattle Dog is a medium-sized dog while the Skye Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Australian Cattle Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Skye Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Australian Cattle Dog versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Cattle Dog to the Skye Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier

FactorAustralian Cattle DogSkye Terrier
Good For Novice Owners1/54/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Life Span12 to 15 years12 to 14 years
Height17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living2/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/52/5
Tolerates Being Alone3/52/5
Kid-Friendly3/54/5
Does NOT Shed3/53/5
Weight30 to 50 pounds25 to 40 pounds
Easygoing2/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/54/5
Dog Friendly4/52/5
Easy To Groom4/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Low Prey Drive2/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander2/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
General Health5/55/5
Easy To Train5/52/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Does NOT chew on things1/53/5
NOT Rambunctious1/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/53/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years13.0 years
Average Price$840No Data
Price Range$500 – $996No Data
Temperament Score79.6 percent37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia (evaluation at two years or older)
  • Eye Examination – Min Age 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • prcd-Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy RCD4
    		• No Data
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)1055

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Cattle Dog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Skye Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Australian Cattle Dog is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Skye Terrier is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Skye Terrier is a better pet than the Australian Cattle Dog. So, you should get the Skye Terrier!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier are most different:

    • Australian Cattle Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Skye Terriers are good for new dog owners.
    • Australian Cattle Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Skye Terriers are very friendly towards strangers.
    • Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to train. However, Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    The Similarities Between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier

    The Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier are most similar:

    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Australian Cattle Dog versus Skye Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier.

    Australian Cattle Dogs weigh 30 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Australian Cattle Dogs are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Skye Terriers weigh 25 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Skye Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Australian Cattle Dog versus Skye Terrier

    The lifespan of Australian Cattle Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Cattle Dogs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Skye Terriers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Skye Terriers is 13.0 years.

    Australian Cattle Dogs live longer than Skye Terriers.

    Temperament of the Australian Cattle Dog Versus the Skye Terrier

    The Australian Cattle Dog has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Australian Cattle Dog is 79.6 percent while the temperament score for the Skye Terrier is 37.5 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 79.6 percent, the Australian Cattle Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 37.5 percent, the Skye Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 201 Australian Cattle Dogs and 8 Skye Terriers.

    The Intelligence of the Australian Cattle Dog versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier

    `
    Australian Cattle Dog Skye Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 10 out of 130 dog breeds 55 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions!

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Australian Cattle Dog has an obedience intelligence rank of 10 out of 130 dog breeds. The Australian Cattle Dog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Australian Cattle Dogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The Skye Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 55 out of 130 dog breeds. The Skye Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Skye Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Australian Cattle Dog is more intelligent than the Skye Terrier.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Cattle Dog versus Skye Terrier

    Australian Cattle Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Australian Cattle Dogs shed more than Skye Terriers?

    Australian Cattle Dogs shed moderately.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Australian Cattle Dog or the Skye Terrier

    Australian Cattle Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Cattle Dog or the Skye Terrier?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Australian Cattle Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?

    Australian Cattle Dogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Skye Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Australian Cattle Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Skye Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Australian Cattle Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Australian Cattle Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Australian Cattle Dog vs. Skye Terrier

    Australian Cattle Dogs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Skye Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Australian Cattle Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Australian Cattle Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Cattle Dog or the Skye Terrier?

    Australian Cattle Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Australian Cattle Dogs good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Skye Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Australian Cattle Dogs and Skye Terriers?

    Australian Cattle Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Skye Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Australian Cattle Dog Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Australian Cattle Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?

    Australian Cattle Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Cattle Dog or the Skye Terrier?

    Australian Cattle Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Australian Cattle Dog versus Skye Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Australian Cattle Dog and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.