Quick Links: Table of Contents
- German Shepherd Dog Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction
- German Shepherd Dog versus Skye Terrier: Overview
- German Shepherd Dog versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shepherd Dog and the Skye Terrier
- The Similarities Between the German Shepherd Dog and the Skye Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of German Shepherd Dog versus Skye Terrier
- Lifespan of German Shepherd Dog versus Skye Terrier
- Temperament of the German Shepherd Dog Versus the Skye Terrier
- Price of German Shepherd Dog versus Price of Skye Terrier
- The Intelligence of the German Shepherd Dog versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier
- The Popularity of German Shepherd Dog versus Popularity of Skye Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: German Shepherd Dog versus Skye Terrier
- Do German Shepherd Dogs shed more than Skye Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the German Shepherd Dog or the Skye Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the German Shepherd Dog or the Skye Terrier?
- Does the German Shepherd Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?
- Do German Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?
- Can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: German Shepherd Dog vs. Skye Terrier
- Can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Shepherd Dog or the Skye Terrier?
- Are German Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are German Shepherd Dogs and Skye Terriers?
- Is the German Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Shepherd Dog
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Skye Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: German Shepherd Dog versus Skye Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
German Shepherd Dog Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd Dog and the Skye Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd Dog or the Skye Terrier.
German Shepherd Dog versus Skye Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the German Shepherd Dog and the Skye Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Shepherd Dog is a large-sized dog while the Skye Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the German Shepherd 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.
German Shepherd Dog versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd Dog and the Skye Terrier
| Factor | German Shepherd Dog | Skye Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| 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 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 75 to 95 pounds | 25 to 40 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1280 | $2000 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | $2000 – $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 85.3 percent | 37.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 2 | 176 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 3 | 55 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd Dog is 77 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 German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd Dog and the Skye Terrier
Below is a list of where the German Shepherd Dog and the Skye Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the German Shepherd Dog and the Skye Terrier
The German Shepherd Dog and the Skye Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Shepherd Dog and the Skye Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of German Shepherd Dog versus Skye Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Shepherd Dog and the Skye Terrier.
German Shepherd Dogs weigh 75 to 95 pounds when fully grown. German Shepherd Dogs are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall 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 German Shepherd Dog versus Skye Terrier
The lifespan of German Shepherd Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Shepherd Dogs 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 German Shepherd Dogs.
Temperament of the German Shepherd Dog Versus the Skye Terrier
The German Shepherd Dog has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the German Shepherd Dog is 85.3 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 85.3 percent, the German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 3383 German Shepherd Dogs and 8 Skye Terriers.
Price of German Shepherd Dog versus Price of Skye Terrier
The average price of the German Shepherd Dog puppy is $1280. The price of the German Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of a German Shepherd Dog can be as low as $195 and as high as $6500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1776 German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog.
| German Shepherd Dog | Skye Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1280 | $2000 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1500 | $2000 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the German Shepherd Dog and Skye Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many German Shepherd Dog puppies or how many Skye Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of German Shepherd Dogs. 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 German Shepherd Dog 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 Intelligence of the German Shepherd Dog versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier
| German Shepherd Dog | Skye Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 3 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:
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 German Shepherd Dog has an obedience intelligence rank of 3 out of 130 dog breeds. The German Shepherd Dog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd 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.
The Popularity of German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog and the Skye Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shepherd Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Shepherd Dog is 2 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of German Shepherd Dog
Popularity of Skye Terrier
| Year | German Shepherd Dog Popularity Rank | Skye Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 | 161 |
| 2014 | 2 | 177 |
| 2015 | 2 | 175 |
| 2016 | 2 | 178 |
| 2017 | 2 | 172 |
| 2018 | 2 | 178 |
| 2019 | 2 | 187 |
| 2020 | 3 | 183 |
Tolerates Being Alone: German Shepherd Dog versus Skye Terrier
German Shepherd Dogs do not like to be left alone.
Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do German Shepherd Dogs shed more than Skye Terriers?
German Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Skye Terriers shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the German Shepherd Dog or the Skye Terrier
German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd Dog or the Skye Terrier?
German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.
Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Does the German Shepherd Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?
German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?
German Shepherd Dogs 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 German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
German Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: German Shepherd Dog vs. Skye Terrier
German Shepherd Dogs 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 German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
German Shepherd Dogs 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 German Shepherd Dog or the Skye Terrier?
German Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are German Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?
German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd Dogs and Skye Terriers?
German Shepherd Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Skye Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the German Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?
German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to train.
Skye Terriers are not easy to train.
Is the German Shepherd Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?
German Shepherd Dogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Shepherd Dog or the Skye Terrier?
German Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Shepherd Dog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog:
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 German Shepherd Dog and how the Skye Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the German Shepherd Dog and of the Skye Terrier to other breeds:
German Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds
German Shepherd Dog versus Hovawart German Shepherd Dog versus Treeing Walker Coonhound German Shepherd Dog versus Cairn Terrier German Shepherd Dog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier German Shepherd Dog versus Bedlington Terrier German Shepherd Dog versus Boston Terrier German Shepherd Dog versus Pharaoh Hound German Shepherd Dog versus Aussiedoodle German Shepherd Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog German Shepherd Dog versus American Pit Bull Terrier German Shepherd Dog versus Bearded Collie German Shepherd Dog versus Golden Retriever German Shepherd Dog versus Pharaoh Hound German Shepherd Dog versus Patterdale Terrier German Shepherd Dog versus German Pinscher German Shepherd Dog versus Great Dane German Shepherd Dog versus Keeshond German Shepherd Dog versus Border Collie German Shepherd Dog versus Sheepadoodle German Shepherd Dog versus Harrier German Shepherd Dog versus Chinook German Shepherd Dog versus Japanese Spitz German Shepherd Dog versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon German Shepherd Dog versus Australian Terrier German Shepherd Dog versus Mal Shi
Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Skye Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai Skye Terrier versus King Shepherd Skye Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Skye Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel Skye Terrier versus Chorkie Skye Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel Skye Terrier versus Dachshund Skye Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound Skye Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur Skye Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier Skye Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog Skye Terrier versus Great Dane Skye Terrier versus Pyredoodle Skye Terrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Skye Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Skye Terrier versus Lhasa Apso Skye Terrier versus Finnish Spitz Skye Terrier versus Cavachon Skye Terrier versus Gordon Setter Skye Terrier versus Shiranian Skye Terrier versus Belgian Tervuren Skye Terrier versus Bernedoodle Skye Terrier versus Beagle Skye Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel Skye Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli
Conclusion: German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd Dog and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.