Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction
- Icelandic Sheepdog versus Skye Terrier: Overview
- Icelandic Sheepdog versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Skye Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Skye Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Skye Terrier
- Lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Skye Terrier
- Temperament of the Icelandic Sheepdog Versus the Skye Terrier
- The Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Popularity of Skye Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Icelandic Sheepdog versus Skye Terrier
- Do Icelandic Sheepdogs shed more than Skye Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Skye Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Skye Terrier?
- Does the Icelandic Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?
- Do Icelandic Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?
- Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Icelandic Sheepdog vs. Skye Terrier
- Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Skye Terrier?
- Are Icelandic Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Icelandic Sheepdogs and Skye Terriers?
- Is the Icelandic Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Skye Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Icelandic Sheepdog versus Skye Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Skye Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog or the Skye Terrier.
Icelandic Sheepdog versus Skye Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Skye Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Icelandic Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog while the Skye Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Icelandic Sheepdog 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.
Icelandic Sheepdog versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Skye Terrier
| Factor | Icelandic Sheepdog | 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 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 14 to 15 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Height | 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 20 to 30 pounds | 25 to 40 pounds |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $2000 – $2000 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 100.0 percent | 37.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 145 | 176 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 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 Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Skye Terrier
Below is a list of where the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Skye Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Skye Terrier
The Icelandic Sheepdog and the Skye Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Skye Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Skye Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Skye Terrier.
Icelandic Sheepdogs weigh 20 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Icelandic Sheepdogs are 16 to 18 inchestall 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 Icelandic Sheepdog versus Skye Terrier
The lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is 14.5 years.
The lifespan of Skye Terriers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Skye Terriers is 13.0 years.
Icelandic Sheepdogs live longer than Skye Terriers.
Temperament of the Icelandic Sheepdog Versus the Skye Terrier
The Icelandic Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 10 Icelandic Sheepdogs and 8 Skye Terriers.
The Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Skye Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Icelandic Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Icelandic Sheepdog is 145 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
Popularity of Skye Terrier
| Year | Icelandic Sheepdog Popularity Rank | Skye Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 142 | 161 |
| 2014 | 146 | 177 |
| 2015 | 140 | 175 |
| 2016 | 153 | 178 |
| 2017 | 144 | 172 |
| 2018 | 155 | 178 |
| 2019 | 132 | 187 |
| 2020 | 154 | 183 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Icelandic Sheepdog versus Skye Terrier
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Icelandic Sheepdogs shed more than Skye Terriers?
Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Skye Terriers shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Skye Terrier
Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Skye Terrier?
Icelandic Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Icelandic Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?
Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Skye Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Icelandic Sheepdog vs. Skye Terrier
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdog or the Skye Terrier?
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Icelandic Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs and Skye Terriers?
Icelandic Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Skye Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Icelandic Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?
Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.
Skye Terriers are not easy to train.
Is the Icelandic Sheepdog Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Skye Terrier?
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog:
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 Icelandic Sheepdog and how the Skye Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog and of the Skye Terrier to other breeds:
Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Icelandic Sheepdog versus Lhasa Apso Icelandic Sheepdog versus German Shorthaired Pointer Icelandic Sheepdog versus Great Dane Icelandic Sheepdog versus West Highland White Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Frenchton Icelandic Sheepdog versus English Toy Spaniel Icelandic Sheepdog versus Scottish Deerhound Icelandic Sheepdog versus Toy Poodle Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Icelandic Sheepdog versus Valley Bulldog Icelandic Sheepdog versus Beagle Icelandic Sheepdog versus Affenhuahua Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bernese Mountain Dog Icelandic Sheepdog versus Shihpoo Icelandic Sheepdog versus Keeshond Icelandic Sheepdog versus Neapolitan Mastiff Icelandic Sheepdog versus Aussiedoodle Icelandic Sheepdog versus Azawakh Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pomapoo Icelandic Sheepdog versus Curly-Coated Retriever Icelandic Sheepdog versus Belgian Tervuren Icelandic Sheepdog versus Japanese Spitz Icelandic Sheepdog versus Mastiff Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pointer Icelandic Sheepdog versus Japanese Chin
Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Skye Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Skye Terrier versus Barbet Skye Terrier versus Weimaraner Skye Terrier versus Spinone Italiano Skye Terrier versus Havanese Skye Terrier versus Shichon Skye Terrier versus Great Dane Skye Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei Skye Terrier versus English Setter Skye Terrier versus Kai Ken Skye Terrier versus Chinese Crested Skye Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog Skye Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff Skye Terrier versus Affenpinscher Skye Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai Skye Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute Skye Terrier versus Mountain Cur Skye Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Skye Terrier versus Stabyhoun Skye Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Skye Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel Skye Terrier versus Papillon Skye Terrier versus German Shorthaired Pointer Skye Terrier versus Coton de Tulear
Conclusion: Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.