Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Terrier Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction
- Irish Terrier versus Skye Terrier: Overview
- Irish Terrier versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Skye Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Skye Terrier
- Lifespan of Irish Terrier versus Skye Terrier
- Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Irish Terrier
- Price of Irish Terrier versus Price of Skye Terrier
- Adopting the Irish Terrier versus Adopting the Skye Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Irish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier
- The Popularity of Irish Terrier versus Popularity of Skye Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Skye Terrier
- Do Irish Terriers shed more than Skye Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Skye Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Skye Terrier?
- Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?
- Do Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?
- Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Skye Terrier
- Can Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Skye Terrier?
- Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Terriers and Skye Terriers?
- Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Skye Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Terrier versus Skye Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Terrier Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Skye Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier or the Skye Terrier.
Irish Terrier versus Skye Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Terrier and the Skye Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Skye Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, both the Irish Terrier and the Skye Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the Irish Terrier and the Skye Terrier 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.
Irish Terrier versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Skye Terrier
| Factor | Irish Terrier | Skye Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 16 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Height | 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 27 pounds | 25 to 40 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $1280 | $2000 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1500 | $2000 – $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 80.0 percent | 37.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 118 | 176 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 53 | 55 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier is 78 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 Irish Terrier. 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 Irish Terrier and the Skye Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Irish Terrier and the Skye Terrier
The Irish Terrier and the Skye Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Terrier and the Skye Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Terrier versus Skye Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Terrier and the Skye Terrier.
Irish Terriers weigh 25 to 27 pounds when fully grown. Irish Terriers are 18 to 20 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 Irish Terrier versus Skye Terrier
The lifespan of Irish Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Irish Terriers is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Skye Terriers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Skye Terriers is 13.0 years.
Irish Terriers live longer than Skye Terriers.
Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Irish Terrier
The Irish Terrier has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Terrier is 80.0 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 80.0 percent, the Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 10 Irish Terriers and 8 Skye Terriers.
Price of Irish Terrier versus Price of Skye Terrier
The average price of the Irish Terrier puppy is $1280. The price of the Irish Terrier typically ranges from $1000 – $1500. However, the price of a Irish Terrier can be as low as $450 and as high as $2800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 26 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier.
| Irish Terrier | Skye Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1280 | $2000 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1500 | $2000 to $2000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Irish Terrier and Skye Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Irish Terrier puppies or how many Skye Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Irish Terriers. 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 Irish Terrier 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.
Adopting the Irish Terrier versus Adopting the Skye Terrier
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Irish Terriers and many Skye Terriers are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Irish Terrier named Callum that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Irish Terriers like Callum on pefinder.com.
Also, like Irish Terriers, Skye Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Bill Bailey is a Male Skye Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Skye Terriers like Bill Bailey that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Charlie is the name of another Irish Terrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Irish Terriers and Skye Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Irish Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier
| Irish Terrier | Skye Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 53 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:
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 Irish Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 53 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Irish Terriers 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Skye Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Terrier is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Irish Terrier
Popularity of Skye Terrier
| Year | Irish Terrier Popularity Rank | Skye Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 123 | 161 |
| 2014 | 125 | 177 |
| 2015 | 113 | 175 |
| 2016 | 115 | 178 |
| 2017 | 114 | 172 |
| 2018 | 116 | 178 |
| 2019 | 119 | 187 |
| 2020 | 120 | 183 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Terrier versus Skye Terrier
Irish Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Terriers shed more than Skye Terriers?
Irish Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Skye Terriers shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Irish Terrier or the Skye Terrier
Irish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Terrier or the Skye Terrier?
Irish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Irish Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?
Irish Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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 Irish Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?
Irish Terriers 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 Irish Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Terrier vs. Skye Terrier
Irish Terriers 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 Irish Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Terrier or the Skye Terrier?
Irish Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Irish Terriers good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?
Irish Terriers 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 Irish Terriers and Skye Terriers?
Irish Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Skye Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Terrier Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?
Irish Terriers are not easy to train.
Skye Terriers are not easy to train.
Is the Irish Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?
Irish Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Terrier or the Skye Terrier?
Irish Terriers 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 Irish Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish 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 Irish Terrier:
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 Irish Terrier and how the Skye Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Terrier and of the Skye Terrier to other breeds:
Irish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Terrier versus American Bulldog Irish Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer Irish Terrier versus Biewer Terrier Irish Terrier versus Belgian Malinois Irish Terrier versus Sheepadoodle Irish Terrier versus Samoyed Irish Terrier versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Irish Terrier versus Pointer Irish Terrier versus Shiranian Irish Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound Irish Terrier versus Bearded Collie Irish Terrier versus Papillon Irish Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund Irish Terrier versus Plott Irish Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog Irish Terrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Irish Terrier versus Bolognese Irish Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever Irish Terrier versus Whoodle Irish Terrier versus Bearded Collie Irish Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound Irish Terrier versus Canaan Dog Irish Terrier versus Vizsla Irish Terrier versus Skye Terrier Irish Terrier versus Saluki
Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Skye Terrier versus Dalmatian Skye Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Skye Terrier versus Field Spaniel Skye Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd Skye Terrier versus Great Dane Skye Terrier versus Cairn Terrier Skye Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel Skye Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Skye Terrier versus Silky Terrier Skye Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel Skye Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel Skye Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Skye Terrier versus Shichon Skye Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel Skye Terrier versus Dogue de Bordeaux Skye Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund Skye Terrier versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Skye Terrier versus Lhasa Apso Skye Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog Skye Terrier versus Yorkipoo Skye Terrier versus Stabyhoun Skye Terrier versus Aussiedoodle Skye Terrier versus Whoodle Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier Skye Terrier versus Basenji
Conclusion: Irish Terrier 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 Irish Terrier and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.