Differences and Similarities between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier.

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Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Skye Terrier.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Skye Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Skye Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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.

Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier

Factor Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Skye Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
Height 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Life Span 7 to 9 years 12 to 14 years
Weight 85 to 140 pounds 25 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 8.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2390 $2000
Price Range $1750 – $3000 $2000 – $2000
Temperament Score 82.8 percent 37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (Effective 7/1/15 the minimum eye exam age to qualify for CHIC is 18 months)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Shoulders
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 76 176

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 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 Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier are most different:

  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Skye Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Skye Terriers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs get along well with other dogs. However, Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier

    The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Skye Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs weigh 85 to 140 pounds when fully grown. Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are 23 to 28 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Skye Terrier

    The lifespan of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs is between 7 to 9 years. The average lifespan of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs is 8.0 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs.

    Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 82.8 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 82.8 percent, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 262 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and 8 Skye Terriers.

    Price of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Price of Skye Terrier

    The average price of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog puppy is $2390. The price of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog typically ranges from $1750 – $3000. However, the price of a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog can be as low as $1000 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 110 Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Skye Terrier.

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Skye Terrier
    Average Price $2390 $2000
    Price Range $1750 to $3000 $2000 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs. 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 Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is 76 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Popularity of Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Year Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Popularity Rank Skye Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 74 161
    2014 80 177
    2015 78 175
    2016 78 178
    2017 75 172
    2018 74 178
    2019 73 187
    2020 76 183

    Tolerates Being Alone: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Skye Terrier

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed more than Skye Terriers?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs shed moderately.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Skye Terrier

    Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Skye Terrier?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?

    Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

    Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs. Skye Terrier

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Skye Terrier?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs and Skye Terriers?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs are fairly easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog or the Skye Terrier?

    Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog:

  • Bracco Italiano (75 percent match with Greater Swiss Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Entlebucher Mountain Dog (78 percent match with Greater Swiss Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Entlebucher Mountain 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:

  • Lakeland Terrier (78 percent match with Skye Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and how the Skye Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and of the Skye Terrier to other breeds:

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Frenchton     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus English Toy Spaniel     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Swedish Vallhund     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus American Hairless Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bordoodle     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Standard Poodle     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Black Russian Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Yorkshire Terrier     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Norwegian Lundehund     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Pug     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Bluetick Coonhound     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Afador     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Leonberger     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Irish Setter     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus German Longhaired Pointer     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Fila Brasileiro     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Affenhuahua     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Basset Hound     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Puggle     Greater Swiss Mountain Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog     

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Skye Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Skye Terrier versus Cairn Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Lancashire Heeler     Skye Terrier versus Pomeranian     Skye Terrier versus Silky Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Frenchton     Skye Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier     Skye Terrier versus German Pinscher     Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Skye Terrier versus Australian Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Basenji     Skye Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Skye Terrier versus Samoyed     Skye Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     Skye Terrier versus American Eskimo Dog     Skye Terrier versus Pomsky     Skye Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     Skye Terrier versus Japanese Spitz     Skye Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd     Skye Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute     Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Skye Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     Skye Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog     

    Conclusion: Greater Swiss Mountain 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 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.