A Detailed Comparison of the French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier.

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French Spaniel Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the French 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 French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the French 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 French 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the French 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 French Spaniel or the Skye Terrier

French Spaniel versus Skye Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the French 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.

French Spaniel versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the French 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.

Factor French Spaniel Skye Terrier
Life Span 10 to 12 years. 12 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Height 21 to 24 inches. 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds. 25 to 40 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $4250 $2000
Price Range $3875 – $4625 $2000 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the French 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 a French Spaniel is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Skye Terrier is 82 out of 125.

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

    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 French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Both the French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the French 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 French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the French Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of French Spaniel versus Skye Terrier

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

    French Spaniels weigh 45 to 60 pounds. when fully grown. French Spaniels are 21 to 24 inches. 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.

    Price of French Spaniel versus Price of Skye Terrier

    The average price of the French Spaniel puppy is $4250. The price of the French Spaniel typically ranges from $3875 – $4625. However, the price of a French Spaniel can be as low as $3500 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2 French 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 a 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 French Spaniel is more expensive than the Skye Terrier.

    French Spaniel Skye Terrier
    Average Price $4250 $2000
    Price Range $3875 to $4625 $2000 to $2000

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of French 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 French 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

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

    French Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    French Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    French Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do French Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

    French Spaniels 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: French Spaniel vs. Skye Terrier

    French Spaniels 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: French Spaniel versus Skye Terrier

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

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do French Spaniels shed more than Skye Terriers?

    French Spaniels shed moderately.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

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

    French Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

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

    French Spaniels 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.

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

    French Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

    Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

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

    French Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are French Spaniels and Skye Terriers?

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

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

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

    French Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

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

    French Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

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

    French Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the French 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 French Spaniel:

  • Dutch Shepherd (80 percent match with French Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • 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 French Spaniel vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    French Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Spaniel versus Labrador Retriever     French Spaniel versus Newfoundland     French Spaniel versus Black and Tan Coonhound     French Spaniel versus Miniature Pinscher     French Spaniel versus Swedish Vallhund     French Spaniel versus Catahoula Bulldog     French Spaniel versus Maltipoo     French Spaniel versus Sheepadoodle     French Spaniel versus Toy Poodle     French Spaniel versus Silky Terrier     

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Skye Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund     Skye Terrier versus Bracco Italiano     Skye Terrier versus Shiranian     Skye Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog     Skye Terrier versus Pyredoodle     Skye Terrier versus Bloodhound     Skye Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog     Skye Terrier versus Toy Poodle     Skye Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer     

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