Breed Comparison: Great Dane Versus Skye Terrier

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Great Dane Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane 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 Great Dane 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 Great Dane 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 Great Dane or the Skye Terrier.

Great Dane versus Skye Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Skye Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Skye Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Great Dane 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.

Great Dane versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Great Dane 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 Great Dane and the Skye Terrier

Factor Great Dane Skye Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Weight 100 to 200 pounds 25 to 40 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Height 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
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
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
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
Life Span 7 to 10 years 12 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 8.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1560 $2000
Price Range $1000 – $2000 $2000 – $2000
Temperament Score 81.5 percent 37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 15 176
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 48 55

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Great Dane 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 Great Dane is 73 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 Great Dane. 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 Great Dane 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 Great Dane and the Skye Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Skye Terrier are most different:

  • Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Skye Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Skye Terriers are good for new dog owners.
  • Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool. However, Skye Terriers do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Great Danes get along well with other dogs. However, Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Great Danes are very easy to train. However, Skye Terriers are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Both the Great Dane and the Skye Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Skye Terrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Skye Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Skye Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Great Dane and the Skye Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Skye Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Skye Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Skye Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Great Dane and the Skye Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Great Dane versus Skye Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Skye Terrier.

    Great Danes weigh 100 to 200 pounds when fully grown. Great Danes are 26 to 34 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 Great Dane versus Skye Terrier

    The lifespan of Great Danes is between 7 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Great Danes is 8.5 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 Great Danes.

    Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Great Dane

    The Great Dane has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Great Dane is 81.5 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 81.5 percent, the Great Dane 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 Great Dane and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 8 Skye Terriers.

    Price of Great Dane versus Price of Skye Terrier

    The average price of the Great Dane puppy is $1560. The price of the Great Dane typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Great Dane can be as low as $100 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1324 Great Dane 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 Great Dane.

    Great Dane Skye Terrier
    Average Price $1560 $2000
    Price Range $1000 to $2000 $2000 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Great Danes. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Great Danes. 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 Great Dane 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 Great Dane versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier

    Great Dane Skye Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 48 out of 130 dog breeds 55 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Great Dane has an obedience intelligence rank of 48 out of 130 dog breeds. The Great Dane belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Great Danes tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 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 Great Dane 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 Great Dane 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 Great Dane and the Skye Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Dane is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Great Dane is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Great Dane

    Popularity of Great Dane

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Year Great Dane Popularity Rank Skye Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 16 161
    2014 15 177
    2015 15 175
    2016 14 178
    2017 14 172
    2018 16 178
    2019 17 187
    2020 15 183

    Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Skye Terrier

    Great Danes do not like to be left alone.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Great Danes shed more than Skye Terriers?

    Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Skye Terrier

    Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Skye Terrier?

    Great Danes are very easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?

    Great Danes 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 Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

    Great Danes 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 Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Skye Terrier

    Great Danes 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 Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Great Danes 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 Great Dane or the Skye Terrier?

    Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Great Danes 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 Great Danes and Skye Terriers?

    Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Great Danes are very easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?

    Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Skye Terrier?

    Great Danes 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 Great Dane

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Great Dane 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 Great Dane:

  • Flat-Coated Retriever (72 percent match with Great Dane). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Labrador Retriever (72 percent match with Great Dane). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Labrador Retriever.
  • Shiloh Shepherd (70 percent match with Great Dane). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Shiloh 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 Great Dane vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Great Dane versus Bullmastiff     Great Dane versus Shetland Sheepdog     Great Dane versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Great Dane versus Kooikerhondje     Great Dane versus Maltipoo     Great Dane versus Labrador Retriever     Great Dane versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Great Dane versus Schipperke     Great Dane versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Great Dane versus Borzoi     Great Dane versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Great Dane versus Chinook     Great Dane versus Mastiff     Great Dane versus Norwegian Lundehund     Great Dane versus Mastiff     Great Dane versus Affenpinscher     Great Dane versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Great Dane versus Canaan Dog     Great Dane versus Bolognese     Great Dane versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Great Dane versus Silky Terrier     Great Dane versus German Pinscher     Great Dane versus Newfoundland     Great Dane versus Saluki     Great Dane versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Cavachon     Skye Terrier versus Yorkshire Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog     Skye Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound     Skye Terrier versus Lancashire Heeler     Skye Terrier versus Lowchen     Skye Terrier versus Frenchton     Skye Terrier versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Skye Terrier versus Puggle     Skye Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound     Skye Terrier versus Basset Hound     Skye Terrier versus Valley Bulldog     Skye Terrier versus Maltipoo     Skye Terrier versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer     Skye Terrier versus Welsh Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Shiba Inu     Skye Terrier versus Japanese Chin     Skye Terrier versus Fila Brasileiro     Skye Terrier versus Mastiff     Skye Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Cockapoo     Skye Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Skye Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     

    Conclusion: Great Dane 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 Great Dane and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.