Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Irish Water Spaniel Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier: Overview
- Irish Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Skye Terrier
- The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Skye Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier
- Lifespan of Irish Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier
- Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
- The Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier
- The Popularity of Irish Water Spaniel versus Popularity of Skye Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier
- Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Skye Terriers?
- Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Skye Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Skye Terrier?
- Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?
- Do Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Skye Terrier
- Can Irish Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Skye Terrier?
- Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Irish Water Spaniels and Skye Terriers?
- Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Water Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Skye Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel and the Skye Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel or the Skye Terrier.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Skye Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel is a medium-sized dog while the Skye Terrier is a small-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Irish Water Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
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.
Irish Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel and the Skye Terrier
| Factor | Irish Water Spaniel | Skye Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 65 pounds | 25 to 40 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $2000 – $2000 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2000 |
| Temperament Score | 90.0 percent | 37.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 156 | 176 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 24 | 55 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel is 81 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 Water Spaniel. 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 Water Spaniel 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 Irish Water Spaniel and the Skye Terrier
Below is a list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Skye Terrier
The Irish Water Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Irish Water Spaniel and the Skye Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Water Spaniel and the Skye Terrier.
Irish Water Spaniels weigh 45 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Irish Water Spaniels are 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet 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 Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier
The lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Irish Water Spaniels 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 Irish Water Spaniels.
Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Irish Water Spaniel is 90.0 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 90.0 percent, the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Irish Water Spaniel and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 30 Irish Water Spaniels and 8 Skye Terriers.
The Intelligence of the Irish Water Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier
| Irish Water Spaniel | Skye Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 24 out of 130 dog breeds | 55 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Water Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 24 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Water Spaniel belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Irish Water Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel and the Skye Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Water Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Water Spaniel is 156 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 Water Spaniel
Popularity of Skye Terrier
| Year | Irish Water Spaniel Popularity Rank | Skye Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 141 | 161 |
| 2014 | 152 | 177 |
| 2015 | 144 | 175 |
| 2016 | 150 | 178 |
| 2017 | 164 | 172 |
| 2018 | 159 | 178 |
| 2019 | 170 | 187 |
| 2020 | 174 | 183 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Irish Water Spaniel versus Skye Terrier
Irish Water Spaniels can be left alone only for a short time.
Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Do Irish Water Spaniels shed more than Skye Terriers?
Irish Water Spaniels do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Skye Terriers shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Skye Terrier
Irish Water Spaniels 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 Water Spaniel or the Skye Terrier?
Irish Water Spaniels are moderately easy to groom.
Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Does the Irish Water Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?
Irish Water Spaniels 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 Irish Water Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?
Irish Water Spaniels 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 Water Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can very well tolerate cold weather.
Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Irish Water Spaniel vs. Skye Terrier
Irish Water Spaniels 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 Water Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Irish Water Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.
Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Skye Terrier?
Irish Water Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Are Irish Water Spaniels good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?
Irish Water Spaniels 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 Water Spaniels and Skye Terriers?
Irish Water Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Skye Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?
Irish Water Spaniels are very easy to train.
Skye Terriers are not easy to train.
Is the Irish Water Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?
Irish Water Spaniels adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Water Spaniel or the Skye Terrier?
Irish Water Spaniels 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 Water Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel:
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 Water Spaniel and how the Skye Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Irish Water Spaniel and of the Skye Terrier to other breeds:
Irish Water Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
Irish Water Spaniel versus Pomchi Irish Water Spaniel versus Bulldog Irish Water Spaniel versus Shiranian Irish Water Spaniel versus Schipperke Irish Water Spaniel versus Irish Wolfhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Basenji Irish Water Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Bulldog Irish Water Spaniel versus Welsh Terrier Irish Water Spaniel versus Kishu Ken Irish Water Spaniel versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Irish Water Spaniel versus English Springer Spaniel Irish Water Spaniel versus Braque du Bourbonnais Irish Water Spaniel versus Standard Poodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Barbet Irish Water Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound Irish Water Spaniel versus German Wirehaired Pointer Irish Water Spaniel versus Treeing Walker Coonhound Irish Water Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie Irish Water Spaniel versus Kai Ken Irish Water Spaniel versus Miniature Poodle Irish Water Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd Irish Water Spaniel versus Pointer Irish Water Spaniel versus Dogo Argentino Irish Water Spaniel versus Swedish Vallhund
Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Skye Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Skye Terrier versus Standard Poodle Skye Terrier versus Karelian Bear Dog Skye Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel Skye Terrier versus Boston Terrier Skye Terrier versus Finnish Spitz Skye Terrier versus Bulldog Skye Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel Skye Terrier versus English Cocker Spaniel Skye Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais Skye Terrier versus Japanese Chin Skye Terrier versus Whippet Skye Terrier versus Samoyed Skye Terrier versus Yorkipoo Skye Terrier versus Aussiedoodle Skye Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund Skye Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Skye Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd Skye Terrier versus Harrier Skye Terrier versus Hovawart Skye Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff Skye Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer Skye Terrier versus Great Pyrenees Skye Terrier versus Dachshund Skye Terrier versus Akbash
Conclusion: Irish Water Spaniel 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 Water Spaniel and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.