Breed Comparison: Giant Schnauzer Versus Skye Terrier

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Giant Schnauzer Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer or the Skye Terrier.

Giant Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Giant Schnauzer is a large-sized dog while the Skye Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Giant Schnauzer belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Giant Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier

Factor Giant Schnauzer Skye Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 80 pounds 25 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2220 $2000
Price Range $1800 – $2500 $2000 – $2000
Temperament Score 77.4 percent 37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 77 176
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 28 55

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer is 70 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 Giant Schnauzer. 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 Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier are most different:

  • Giant Schnauzers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Skye Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Giant Schnauzers are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Skye Terriers are good for new dog owners.
  • Giant Schnauzers are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Skye Terriers are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Giant Schnauzers are very easy to train. However, Skye Terriers are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Giant Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier.

    Giant Schnauzers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Giant Schnauzers are 23 to 27 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 Giant Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier

    The lifespan of Giant Schnauzers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzers.

    Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Giant Schnauzer

    The Giant Schnauzer has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Giant Schnauzer is 77.4 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 77.4 percent, the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 265 Giant Schnauzers and 8 Skye Terriers.

    Price of Giant Schnauzer versus Price of Skye Terrier

    The average price of the Giant Schnauzer puppy is $2220. The price of the Giant Schnauzer typically ranges from $1800 – $2500. However, the price of a Giant Schnauzer can be as low as $1200 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer is more expensive than the Skye Terrier.

    Giant Schnauzer Skye Terrier
    Average Price $2220 $2000
    Price Range $1800 to $2500 $2000 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Giant Schnauzers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Giant Schnauzers. 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 Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier

    Giant Schnauzer Skye Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 28 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:

  • 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 Giant Schnauzer has an obedience intelligence rank of 28 out of 130 dog breeds. The Giant Schnauzer belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Giant Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Giant Schnauzer is 77 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Giant Schnauzer

    Popularity of Giant Schnauzer

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Year Giant Schnauzer Popularity Rank Skye Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 83 161
    2014 83 177
    2015 81 175
    2016 79 178
    2017 80 172
    2018 78 178
    2019 71 187
    2020 67 183

    Tolerates Being Alone: Giant Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier

    Giant Schnauzers do not like to be left alone.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Giant Schnauzers shed more than Skye Terriers?

    Giant Schnauzers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Giant Schnauzer or the Skye Terrier

    Giant Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Giant Schnauzer or the Skye Terrier?

    Giant Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Giant Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Giant Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Giant Schnauzer vs. Skye Terrier

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Giant Schnauzers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Giant Schnauzer or the Skye Terrier?

    Giant Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Giant Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzers and Skye Terriers?

    Giant Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Giant Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Giant Schnauzers are very easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Giant Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?

    Giant Schnauzers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Giant Schnauzer or the Skye Terrier?

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzer

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer:

  • Airedale Terrier (76 percent match with Giant Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Gordon Setter (79 percent match with Giant Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Gordon Setter.
  • 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 Giant Schnauzer vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Giant Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Giant Schnauzer versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Giant Schnauzer versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Giant Schnauzer versus King Shepherd     Giant Schnauzer versus Cockapoo     Giant Schnauzer versus Papillon     Giant Schnauzer versus Australian Cattle Dog     Giant Schnauzer versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Giant Schnauzer versus Chihuahua     Giant Schnauzer versus Field Spaniel     Giant Schnauzer versus Morkie     Giant Schnauzer versus Aussiedoodle     Giant Schnauzer versus Karelian Bear Dog     Giant Schnauzer versus Black Mouth Cur     Giant Schnauzer versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Giant Schnauzer versus Cavapoo     Giant Schnauzer versus Toy Fox Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Borzoi     Giant Schnauzer versus West Highland White Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Airedale Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Toy Fox Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus King Shepherd     Giant Schnauzer versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Giant Schnauzer versus Clumber Spaniel     Giant Schnauzer versus Dutch Shepherd     Giant Schnauzer versus Golden Cocker Retriever     

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Skye Terrier versus Morkie     Skye Terrier versus Norwich Terrier     Skye Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Goldendoodle     Skye Terrier versus Cane Corso     Skye Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound     Skye Terrier versus Morkie     Skye Terrier versus Pyredoodle     Skye Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Spinone Italiano     Skye Terrier versus Plott     Skye Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Dachshund     Skye Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Lakeland Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog     Skye Terrier versus Boerboel     Skye Terrier versus Goldador     Skye Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Skye Terrier versus Bulldog     Skye Terrier versus Havanese     Skye Terrier versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Skye Terrier versus American Bulldog     

    Conclusion: Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.