A Detailed Comparison of the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier.

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Lowchen Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Lowchen versus Skye Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Lowchen belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Lowchen versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lowchen 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 Lowchen and the Skye Terrier

Factor Lowchen Skye Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 13 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
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
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 9 to 18 pounds 25 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2870 $2000
Price Range $1642 – $4500 $2000 – $2000
Temperament Score 75.0 percent 37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 163 176

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lowchen 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Skye Terrier is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lowchen is a better pet than the Skye Terrier. So, you should get the Lowchen!

    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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen and the Skye Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier are most different:

  • Lowchens are very easy to train. However, Skye Terriers are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Skye Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lowchen versus Skye Terrier

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

    Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 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 Lowchen versus Skye Terrier

    The lifespan of Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens 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.

    Lowchens live longer than Skye Terriers.

    Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Skye Terrier

    The Lowchen has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lowchen 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 Lowchen and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 12 Lowchens and 8 Skye Terriers.

    Price of Lowchen versus Price of Skye Terrier

    The average price of the Lowchen puppy is $2870. The price of the Lowchen typically ranges from $1642 – $4500. However, the price of a Lowchen can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 7 Lowchen 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 Lowchen is more expensive than the Skye Terrier.

    Lowchen Skye Terrier
    Average Price $2870 $2000
    Price Range $1642 to $4500 $2000 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens. 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen and the Skye Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lowchen is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Year Lowchen Popularity Rank Skye Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 154 161
    2014 165 177
    2015 161 175
    2016 171 178
    2017 169 172
    2018 168 178
    2019 158 187
    2020 161 183

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lowchen versus Skye Terrier

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lowchens shed more than Skye Terriers?

    Lowchens shed moderately.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Lowchen or the Skye Terrier

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lowchen or the Skye Terrier?

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Lowchen Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?

    Lowchens 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 Lowchens Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

    Lowchens 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 Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lowchen vs. Skye Terrier

    Lowchens 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 Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Lowchens 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 Lowchen or the Skye Terrier?

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Lowchens good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Lowchens 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 Lowchens and Skye Terriers?

    Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Lowchen Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Lowchen Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.

    Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lowchen

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen:

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (80 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Soft Coated Wheaten 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:

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

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

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus Akita     Lowchen versus Chi-Poo     Lowchen versus Irish Wolfhound     Lowchen versus Portuguese Water Dog     Lowchen versus Collie     Lowchen versus Labrador Retriever     Lowchen versus Saluki     Lowchen versus Whippet     Lowchen versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Lowchen versus Pomchi     Lowchen versus Whoodle     Lowchen versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Lowchen versus Vizsla     Lowchen versus Cairn Terrier     Lowchen versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Lowchen versus American Water Spaniel     Lowchen versus Mudi     Lowchen versus Great Dane     Lowchen versus Hovawart     Lowchen versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Lowchen versus Bearded Collie     Lowchen versus Pomsky     Lowchen versus Chinese Crested     Lowchen versus Norwegian Buhund     Lowchen versus Bernese Mountain Dog     

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Dalmatian     Skye Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Skye Terrier versus Havanese     Skye Terrier versus Havanese     Skye Terrier versus Airedale Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Skye Terrier versus Border Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     Skye Terrier versus Australian Cattle Dog     Skye Terrier versus Schnoodle     Skye Terrier versus Maltese     Skye Terrier versus Bloodhound     Skye Terrier versus American Eskimo Dog     Skye Terrier versus Westiepoo     Skye Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     Skye Terrier versus Westiepoo     Skye Terrier versus American Foxhound     Skye Terrier versus Mountain Cur     Skye Terrier versus Havanese     Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Kuvasz     Skye Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Saluki     Skye Terrier versus Carolina Dog     Skye Terrier versus Belgian Malinois     

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