Which is Better between the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier? A Very Detailed Review.

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Chinese Crested Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested or the Skye Terrier.

Chinese Crested versus Skye Terrier: Overview

Both the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier are similar in size. The Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Chinese Crested belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Chinese Crested versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier

Factor Chinese Crested Skye Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 12 to 14 years
Height 11 to 13 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Weight Up to 12 pounds 25 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1430 $2000
Price Range $1000 – $1600 $2000 – $2000
Temperament Score 76.5 percent 37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination- Yearly Exams Recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia/Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • prcd-PRA DNA Test
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • RCD3-PRA DNA Test
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 75 176
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 61 55

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Skye Terrier is 82 out of 125.

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

    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 Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier are most different:

  • Chinese Cresteds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Skye Terriers can tolerate cold weather.
  • Chinese Cresteds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Skye Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Chinese Cresteds do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Skye Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Both the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinese Crested versus Skye Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier.

    Chinese Cresteds weigh Up to 12 pounds when fully grown. Chinese Cresteds are 11 to 13 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 Chinese Crested versus Skye Terrier

    The lifespan of Chinese Cresteds is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Chinese Cresteds is 12.0 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 Chinese Cresteds.

    Temperament of the Chinese Crested Versus the Skye Terrier

    The Chinese Crested has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Chinese Crested is 76.5 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 76.5 percent, the Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 34 Chinese Cresteds and 8 Skye Terriers.

    Price of Chinese Crested versus Price of Skye Terrier

    The average price of the Chinese Crested puppy is $1430. The price of the Chinese Crested typically ranges from $1000 – $1600. However, the price of a Chinese Crested can be as low as $500 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 157 Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested.

    Chinese Crested Skye Terrier
    Average Price $1430 $2000
    Price Range $1000 to $1600 $2000 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Chinese Cresteds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chinese Cresteds. 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 Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested versus Adopting the Skye Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Chinese Cresteds 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 Chinese Crested named Baboo that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Chinese Cresteds like Baboo on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Chinese Cresteds, 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.

    The Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Buddy is the name of another Chinese Crested (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Chinese Cresteds and Skye Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Chinese Crested versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier

    Chinese Crested Skye Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 61 out of 130 dog breeds 55 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 Chinese Crested has an obedience intelligence rank of 61 out of 130 dog breeds. The Chinese Crested belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Chinese Cresteds tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 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 Skye Terrier is more intelligent than the Chinese Crested.

    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 Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chinese Crested is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Chinese Crested is 75 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chinese Crested

    Popularity of Chinese Crested

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Year Chinese Crested Popularity Rank Skye Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 68 161
    2014 65 177
    2015 75 175
    2016 77 178
    2017 79 172
    2018 79 178
    2019 80 187
    2020 79 183

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chinese Crested versus Skye Terrier

    Chinese Cresteds do not like to be left alone.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chinese Cresteds shed more than Skye Terriers?

    Chinese Cresteds do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Chinese Crested or the Skye Terrier

    Chinese Cresteds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinese Crested or the Skye Terrier?

    Chinese Cresteds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Chinese Crested Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?

    Chinese Cresteds have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Chinese Cresteds Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

    Chinese Cresteds bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Chinese Cresteds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinese Cresteds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinese Crested vs. Skye Terrier

    Chinese Cresteds do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Chinese Cresteds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinese Cresteds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinese Crested or the Skye Terrier?

    Chinese Cresteds get along very well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Chinese Cresteds good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Chinese Cresteds 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 Chinese Cresteds and Skye Terriers?

    Chinese Cresteds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Chinese Crested Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Chinese Cresteds are very easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Chinese Crested Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?

    Chinese Cresteds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinese Crested or the Skye Terrier?

    Chinese Cresteds are OK for new dog owners.

    Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinese Crested

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested:

  • Bolognese (75 percent match with Chinese Crested). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Bolognese.
  • Japanese Chin (75 percent match with Chinese Crested). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Japanese Chin.
  • 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 Chinese Crested vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Chinese Crested Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinese Crested versus Vizsla     Chinese Crested versus Cane Corso     Chinese Crested versus German Pinscher     Chinese Crested versus Australian Terrier     Chinese Crested versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Chinese Crested versus Tibetan Mastiff     Chinese Crested versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Chinese Crested versus Alaskan Malamute     Chinese Crested versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Chinese Crested versus Beagle     Chinese Crested versus Goldador     Chinese Crested versus Goldendoodle     Chinese Crested versus Cairn Terrier     Chinese Crested versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Chinese Crested versus Goldendoodle     Chinese Crested versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Chinese Crested versus Harrier     Chinese Crested versus Bull Terrier     Chinese Crested versus Aussiedoodle     Chinese Crested versus Cavapoo     Chinese Crested versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Chinese Crested versus Bolognese     Chinese Crested versus Standard Schnauzer     Chinese Crested versus Tibetan Terrier     Chinese Crested versus Mastiff     

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Welsh Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Skye Terrier versus Sheepadoodle     Skye Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound     Skye Terrier versus Belgian Malinois     Skye Terrier versus Samoyed     Skye Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Skye Terrier versus Goldador     Skye Terrier versus Leonberger     Skye Terrier versus Patterdale Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Miniature Poodle     Skye Terrier versus Shihpoo     Skye Terrier versus Bulldog     Skye Terrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     Skye Terrier versus Irish Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Affenpinscher     Skye Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Skye Terrier versus Japanese Chin     Skye Terrier versus English Cocker Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Akbash     Skye Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     Skye Terrier versus Bulldog     Skye Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Irish Setter     Skye Terrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     

    Conclusion: Chinese Crested 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 Chinese Crested and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.