Differences and Similarities between the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier.

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Kerry Blue Terrier Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue Terrier or the Skye Terrier.

Kerry Blue Terrier versus Skye Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Kerry Blue Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Skye Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the Kerry Blue 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.

Kerry Blue Terrier versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier

Factor Kerry Blue Terrier Skye Terrier
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Height 17 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Weight 33 to 40 pounds 25 to 40 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1980 $2000
Price Range $2000 – $2000 $2000 – $2000
Temperament Score 73.5 percent 37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Eye Examination
  • Factor XI Deficiency
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 128 176
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 35 55

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Kerry Blue Terrier versus Skye Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier.

    Kerry Blue Terriers weigh 33 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Kerry Blue Terriers are 17 to 19 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 Kerry Blue Terrier versus Skye Terrier

    The lifespan of Kerry Blue Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Kerry Blue Terriers is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Skye Terriers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Skye Terriers is 13.0 years.

    Kerry Blue Terriers live longer than Skye Terriers.

    Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Kerry Blue Terrier

    The Kerry Blue Terrier has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Kerry Blue Terrier is 73.5 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 73.5 percent, the Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 49 Kerry Blue Terriers and 8 Skye Terriers.

    Price of Kerry Blue Terrier versus Price of Skye Terrier

    The average price of the Kerry Blue Terrier puppy is $1980. The price of the Kerry Blue Terrier typically ranges from $2000 – $2000. However, the price of a Kerry Blue Terrier can be as low as $1400 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 9 Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue Terrier.

    Kerry Blue Terrier Skye Terrier
    Average Price $1980 $2000
    Price Range $2000 to $2000 $2000 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Kerry Blue Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Kerry Blue Terriers. 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 Kerry Blue 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.

    The Intelligence of the Kerry Blue Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier

    Kerry Blue Terrier Skye Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 35 out of 130 dog breeds 55 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Kerry Blue Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Kerry Blue Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Kerry Blue Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 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 Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Kerry Blue Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Kerry Blue Terrier is 128 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Kerry Blue Terrier

    Popularity of Kerry Blue Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Year Kerry Blue Terrier Popularity Rank Skye Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 126 161
    2014 128 177
    2015 124 175
    2016 127 178
    2017 129 172
    2018 129 178
    2019 133 187
    2020 133 183

    Tolerates Being Alone: Kerry Blue Terrier versus Skye Terrier

    Kerry Blue Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Kerry Blue Terriers shed more than Skye Terriers?

    Kerry Blue Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Kerry Blue Terrier or the Skye Terrier

    Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue Terrier or the Skye Terrier?

    Kerry Blue Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Kerry Blue Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?

    Kerry Blue Terriers 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 Kerry Blue Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

    Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Kerry Blue Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Kerry Blue Terrier vs. Skye Terrier

    Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Kerry Blue Terriers 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 Kerry Blue Terrier or the Skye Terrier?

    Kerry Blue Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Kerry Blue Terriers good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue Terriers and Skye Terriers?

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

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

    Is the Kerry Blue Terrier Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Kerry Blue Terriers are very easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Kerry Blue Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?

    Kerry Blue Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Kerry Blue Terrier or the Skye Terrier?

    Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue Terrier:

  • Irish Water Spaniel (78 percent match with Kerry Blue Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Irish Water Spaniel.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Kerry Blue Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Polish Lowland 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:

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

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

    Kerry Blue Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kerry Blue Terrier versus Lakeland Terrier     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Chow Chow     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Vizsla     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Berger Picard     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Papillon     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Fila Brasileiro     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Lowchen     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog     Kerry Blue Terrier versus French Bulldog     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Finnish Spitz     Kerry Blue Terrier versus Australian Shepherd     

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres     Skye Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Cane Corso     Skye Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Skye Terrier versus Coton de Tulear     Skye Terrier versus Bichon Frise     Skye Terrier versus Great Pyrenees     Skye Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Skye Terrier versus Saint Berdoodle     Skye Terrier versus Hovawart     Skye Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Skye Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Skye Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Skye Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Skye Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Skye Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     Skye Terrier versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Shihpoo     Skye Terrier versus Akbash     Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Puggle     Skye Terrier versus Shihpoo     Skye Terrier versus Pekingese     Skye Terrier versus Standard Poodle     Skye Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     

    Conclusion: Kerry Blue 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 Kerry Blue Terrier and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.