Which is Better between the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier? A Very Detailed Review.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever or the Skye Terrier.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Skye Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a medium-sized dog while the Skye Terrier is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier

Factor Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Skye Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 9 inches tall at the s 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 14 years 12 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Weight 35 to 50 pounds 25 to 40 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.0 years
Price Range No Data $2000 – $2000
Average Price No Data $2000
Temperament Score 78.9 percent 37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 91 176

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a better pet than the Skye Terrier. So, you should get the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever!

    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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier

    The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Skye Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier.

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers weigh 35 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 9 inches tall at the s 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Skye Terrier

    The lifespan of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers is 12.0 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers.

    Temperament of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Versus the Skye Terrier

    The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is 78.9 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 78.9 percent, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 38 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers and 8 Skye Terriers.

    The Popularity of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is 91 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    Popularity of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Year Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Popularity Rank Skye Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 97 161
    2014 99 177
    2015 99 175
    2016 87 178
    2017 89 172
    2018 83 178
    2019 86 187
    2020 90 183

    Tolerates Being Alone: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Skye Terrier

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers shed more than Skye Terriers?

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers shed moderately.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever or the Skye Terrier

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever or the Skye Terrier?

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever vs. Skye Terrier

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever or the Skye Terrier?

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers and Skye Terriers?

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever or the Skye Terrier?

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

    Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever:

  • Cairn Terrier (81 percent match with Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Cairn Terrier.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs English Cocker 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:

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

    You may also be interested in how the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and how the Skye Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and of the Skye Terrier to other breeds:

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Mastiff     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Pomchi     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus English Cocker Spaniel     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Hovawart     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Alaskan Malamute     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Alaskan Malamute     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Mountain Cur     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Norfolk Terrier     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Cavapoo     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Boxerdoodle     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus American Hairless Terrier     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Puli     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Sussex Spaniel     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Westiepoo     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Belgian Tervuren     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Valley Bulldog     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Black Russian Terrier     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Patterdale Terrier     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Irish Water Spaniel     Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever versus Bearded Collie     

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher     Skye Terrier versus Basenji     Skye Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Skye Terrier versus Pug     Skye Terrier versus Mudi     Skye Terrier versus Affenpinscher     Skye Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     Skye Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Dachshund     Skye Terrier versus Bullmastiff     Skye Terrier versus Pomchi     Skye Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Skye Terrier versus Pointer     Skye Terrier versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Skye Terrier versus Spinone Italiano     Skye Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres     Skye Terrier versus Karelian Bear Dog     Skye Terrier versus Shiba Inu     Skye Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer     Skye Terrier versus Havanese     Skye Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Affenpinscher     Skye Terrier versus Shiranian     Skye Terrier versus Kishu Ken     Skye Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     

    Conclusion: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 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 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.