Which is Better between the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier? A Very Detailed Review.

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Boykin Spaniel Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel or the Skye Terrier.

Boykin Spaniel versus Skye Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Boykin Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

Boykin Spaniel versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier

Factor Boykin Spaniel Skye Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Height 14 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
General Health 2/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Weight 25 to 40 pounds 25 to 40 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1130 $2000
Price Range $962 – $1450 $2000 – $2000
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 102 176

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel is 71 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 Boykin Spaniel. 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 Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are most different:

  • Boykin Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Skye Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Boykin Spaniels have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Skye Terriers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • The Similarities Between the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier

    The Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Boykin Spaniel versus Skye Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier.

    Boykin Spaniels weigh 25 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Boykin Spaniels are 14 to 18 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 Boykin Spaniel versus Skye Terrier

    The lifespan of Boykin Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Boykin Spaniels is 11.0 years.

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

    Skye Terriers live longer than Boykin Spaniels.

    Temperament of the Boykin Spaniel Versus the Skye Terrier

    The Boykin Spaniel has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Boykin Spaniel is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Boykin Spaniel has an above-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 Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 2 Boykin Spaniels and 8 Skye Terriers.

    Price of Boykin Spaniel versus Price of Skye Terrier

    The average price of the Boykin Spaniel puppy is $1130. The price of the Boykin Spaniel typically ranges from $962 – $1450. However, the price of a Boykin Spaniel can be as low as $100 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 82 Boykin Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Skye Terrier puppy is $2000. The price of the Skye Terrier typically ranges from $2000 – $2000. However, the price of the Skye Terrier can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Skye Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Skye Terrier is more expensive than the Boykin Spaniel.

    Boykin Spaniel Skye Terrier
    Average Price $1130 $2000
    Price Range $962 to $1450 $2000 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Boykin Spaniel and Skye Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Boykin Spaniel puppies or how many Skye Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Boykin Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Boykin Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Skye Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Skye Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Boykin Spaniel puppy or the Skye Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Popularity of Boykin Spaniel versus Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Boykin Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Boykin Spaniel is 102 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Boykin Spaniel

    Popularity of Boykin Spaniel

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Year Boykin Spaniel Popularity Rank Skye Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 121 161
    2014 108 177
    2015 107 175
    2016 110 178
    2017 98 172
    2018 100 178
    2019 89 187
    2020 87 183

    Tolerates Being Alone: Boykin Spaniel versus Skye Terrier

    Boykin Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Boykin Spaniels shed more than Skye Terriers?

    Boykin Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Boykin Spaniel or the Skye Terrier

    Boykin Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Boykin Spaniel or the Skye Terrier?

    Boykin Spaniels require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Boykin Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?

    Boykin Spaniels have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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 Boykin Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

    Boykin Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Boykin Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Boykin Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Boykin Spaniel vs. Skye Terrier

    Boykin Spaniels 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 Boykin Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Boykin Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

    Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boykin Spaniel or the Skye Terrier?

    Boykin Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Boykin Spaniels good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Boykin Spaniels 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 Boykin Spaniels and Skye Terriers?

    Boykin Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Boykin Spaniel Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Boykin Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Boykin Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?

    Boykin Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Boykin Spaniel or the Skye Terrier?

    Boykin Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

    Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Boykin Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Boykin Spaniel that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Boykin Spaniel:

  • Australian Shepherd (79 percent match with Boykin Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Australian Shepherd.
  • Bearded Collie (77 percent match with Boykin Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Bearded Collie.
  • Curly-Coated Retriever (75 percent match with Boykin Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Curly-Coated Retriever.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Skye Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Skye Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Skye Terrier:

  • Lakeland Terrier (78 percent match with Skye Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Boykin Spaniel vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Boykin Spaniel and how the Skye Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Boykin Spaniel and of the Skye Terrier to other breeds:

    Boykin Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Boykin Spaniel versus Maltipoo     Boykin Spaniel versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Boykin Spaniel versus Cane Corso     Boykin Spaniel versus Japanese Spitz     Boykin Spaniel versus Scottish Terrier     Boykin Spaniel versus Afador     Boykin Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle     Boykin Spaniel versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Boykin Spaniel versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Boykin Spaniel versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Boykin Spaniel versus Portuguese Water Dog     Boykin Spaniel versus Sealyham Terrier     Boykin Spaniel versus Labrador Retriever     Boykin Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer     Boykin Spaniel versus Pomsky     Boykin Spaniel versus Patterdale Terrier     Boykin Spaniel versus Komondor     Boykin Spaniel versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Boykin Spaniel versus Belgian Malinois     Boykin Spaniel versus Schnoodle     Boykin Spaniel versus Pomapoo     Boykin Spaniel versus Chinook     Boykin Spaniel versus English Setter     Boykin Spaniel versus Carolina Dog     Boykin Spaniel versus American Bulldog     

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Skye Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund     Skye Terrier versus Pomeranian     Skye Terrier versus Affenhuahua     Skye Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer     Skye Terrier versus Brittany     Skye Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Brussels Griffon     Skye Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Skye Terrier versus Great Dane     Skye Terrier versus Keeshond     Skye Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Chorkie     Skye Terrier versus Collie     Skye Terrier versus Golden Retriever     Skye Terrier versus Silky Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Boston Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Bulldog     Skye Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog     Skye Terrier versus Samoyed     Skye Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Skye Terrier versus Basset Hound     Skye Terrier versus Great Dane     Skye Terrier versus Bloodhound     Skye Terrier versus Pyredoodle     

    Conclusion: Boykin Spaniel 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 Boykin Spaniel and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.