Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Cairn Terrier Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction
- Cairn Terrier versus Skye Terrier: Overview
- Cairn Terrier versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Skye Terrier
- Lifespan of Cairn Terrier versus Skye Terrier
- Temperament of the Cairn Terrier Versus the Skye Terrier
- Price of Cairn Terrier versus Price of Skye Terrier
- Adopting the Cairn Terrier versus Adopting the Skye Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Cairn Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier
- The Popularity of Cairn Terrier versus Popularity of Skye Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus Skye Terrier
- Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Skye Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Skye Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the Skye Terrier?
- Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?
- Do Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?
- Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Skye Terrier
- Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cairn Terrier or the Skye Terrier?
- Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Cairn Terriers and Skye Terriers?
- Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Skye Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Cairn Terrier versus Skye Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Cairn Terrier Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier or the Skye Terrier.
Cairn Terrier versus Skye Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cairn Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Skye Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier 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.
Cairn Terrier versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier
| Factor | Cairn Terrier | Skye Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Weight | 13 to 14 pounds | 25 to 40 pounds |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1600 | $2000 |
| Price Range | $1475 – $1750 | $2000 – $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 75.5 percent | 37.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 69 | 176 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 35 | 55 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier is 86 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Skye Terrier is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cairn Terrier is a better pet than the Skye Terrier. So, you should get the Cairn 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 Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier
The Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Skye Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier.
Cairn Terriers weigh 13 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Cairn Terriers are 9 to 10 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 Cairn Terrier versus Skye Terrier
The lifespan of Cairn Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cairn Terriers 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.
Cairn Terriers live longer than Skye Terriers.
Temperament of the Cairn Terrier Versus the Skye Terrier
The Cairn Terrier has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Cairn Terrier is 75.5 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 75.5 percent, the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 53 Cairn Terriers and 8 Skye Terriers.
Price of Cairn Terrier versus Price of Skye Terrier
The average price of the Cairn Terrier puppy is $1600. The price of the Cairn Terrier typically ranges from $1475 – $1750. However, the price of a Cairn Terrier can be as low as $650 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 132 Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier.
| Cairn Terrier | Skye Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1600 | $2000 |
| Price Range | $1475 to $1750 | $2000 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Cairn Terrier and Skye Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Cairn Terrier puppies or how many Skye Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Cairn Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Skye Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cairn Terrier 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.
Adopting the Cairn Terrier versus Adopting the Skye Terrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Cairn Terriers and many Skye Terriers are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Cairn Terrier named Unknown that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Cairn Terriers like Unknown on pefinder.com.
Also, like Cairn Terriers, Skye Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Bill Bailey is a Male Skye Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Skye Terriers like Bill Bailey that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Hansel is the name of another Cairn Terrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Cairn Terriers and Skye Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Cairn Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier
| Cairn Terrier | Skye Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 35 out of 130 dog breeds | 55 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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:
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 Cairn Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cairn Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Cairn Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 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 Cairn Terrier 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.
The Popularity of Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cairn Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cairn Terrier is 69 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Cairn Terrier
Popularity of Skye Terrier
| Year | Cairn Terrier Popularity Rank | Skye Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 61 | 161 |
| 2014 | 69 | 177 |
| 2015 | 70 | 175 |
| 2016 | 70 | 178 |
| 2017 | 69 | 172 |
| 2018 | 69 | 178 |
| 2019 | 72 | 187 |
| 2020 | 73 | 183 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus Skye Terrier
Cairn Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Skye Terriers?
Cairn Terriers shed moderately.
Skye Terriers shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Skye Terrier
Cairn Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the Skye Terrier?
Cairn Terriers are very easy to groom.
Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?
Cairn 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.
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 Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?
Cairn Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Skye Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Cairn Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Skye Terrier
Cairn Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Skye Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Cairn Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cairn Terrier or the Skye Terrier?
Cairn Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?
Cairn Terriers 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 Cairn Terriers and Skye Terriers?
Cairn Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Skye Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?
Cairn Terriers are not easy to train.
Skye Terriers are not easy to train.
Is the Cairn Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?
Cairn Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cairn Terrier or the Skye Terrier?
Cairn Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cairn 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 Cairn Terrier:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Cairn Terrier and how the Skye Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cairn Terrier and of the Skye Terrier to other breeds:
Cairn Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Cairn Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog Cairn Terrier versus Basset Hound Cairn Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute Cairn Terrier versus Chinook Cairn Terrier versus Lowchen Cairn Terrier versus Newfoundland Cairn Terrier versus Akita Cairn Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd Cairn Terrier versus Border Collie Cairn Terrier versus Afador Cairn Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound Cairn Terrier versus Mal Shi Cairn Terrier versus Great Dane Cairn Terrier versus Pug Cairn Terrier versus Puggle Cairn Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund Cairn Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd Cairn Terrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog Cairn Terrier versus Barbet Cairn Terrier versus Boxer Cairn Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound Cairn Terrier versus Biewer Terrier Cairn Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai Cairn Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog Cairn Terrier versus Keeshond
Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Skye Terrier versus Maltipoo Skye Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel Skye Terrier versus Azawakh Skye Terrier versus German Pinscher Skye Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund Skye Terrier versus Biewer Terrier Skye Terrier versus Azawakh Skye Terrier versus Bloodhound Skye Terrier versus Briard Skye Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Skye Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer Skye Terrier versus Japanese Spitz Skye Terrier versus Barbet Skye Terrier versus Chorkie Skye Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer Skye Terrier versus Schipperke Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier Skye Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog Skye Terrier versus French Spaniel Skye Terrier versus Great Dane Skye Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer Skye Terrier versus Dogue de Bordeaux Skye Terrier versus Cesky Terrier Skye Terrier versus Airedale Terrier Skye Terrier versus American Bulldog
Conclusion: Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.