A Detailed Comparison of the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier.

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Pekingese Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Pekingese versus Skye Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Pekingese 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.

Pekingese versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Skye Terrier

Factor Pekingese Skye Terrier
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Easygoing 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold 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
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Height 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 7 to 14 pounds 25 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1930 $2000
Price Range $1288 – $2500 $2000 – $2000
Temperament Score 93.3 percent 37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data
Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 86 176
Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 73 55

Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pekingese 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 Pekingese is 77 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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
  • Pekingeses do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Skye Terriers do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Pekingeses are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Skye Terriers are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Pekingeses have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Skye Terriers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • The Similarities Between the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Both the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier have low exercise needs.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Pekingese and the Skye Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Pekingese versus Skye Terrier

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

    Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 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 Pekingese versus Skye Terrier

    The lifespan of Pekingeses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pekingeses 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.

    Pekingeses live longer than Skye Terriers.

    Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Pekingese

    The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 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 93.3 percent, the Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 15 Pekingeses and 8 Skye Terriers.

    Price of Pekingese versus Price of Skye Terrier

    The average price of the Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. However, the price of a Pekingese can be as low as $700 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese 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 Pekingese.

    Pekingese Skye Terrier
    Average Price $1930 $2000
    Price Range $1288 to $2500 $2000 to $2000

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses. 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier

    Pekingese Skye Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 73 out of 130 dog breeds 55 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! 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 Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    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 Skye Terrier is more intelligent than the Pekingese.

    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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Skye Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pekingese is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Pekingese

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Year Pekingese Popularity Rank Skye Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 77 161
    2014 82 177
    2015 80 175
    2016 93 178
    2017 88 172
    2018 92 178
    2019 83 187
    2020 95 183

    Tolerates Being Alone: Pekingese versus Skye Terrier

    Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Pekingeses shed more than Skye Terriers?

    Pekingeses shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Pekingese or the Skye Terrier

    Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Pekingeses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

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

    Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Pekingese vs. Skye Terrier

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Pekingeses cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pekingese or the Skye Terrier?

    Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Pekingeses good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses and Skye Terriers?

    Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Pekingese Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

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

    Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Pekingeses are very good for new dog owners.

    Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Mal Shi (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Mal Shi.
  • Pomeranian (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Pomeranian.
  • Pomsky (72 percent match with Pekingese). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Pomsky.
  • 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 Pekingese vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pekingese versus Shihpoo     Pekingese versus Toy Poodle     Pekingese versus Saint Berdoodle     Pekingese versus American Hairless Terrier     Pekingese versus Shiloh Shepherd     Pekingese versus Australian Shepherd     Pekingese versus Portuguese Pointer     Pekingese versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Pekingese versus Belgian Tervuren     Pekingese versus Maltipoo     Pekingese versus Papillon     Pekingese versus Boykin Spaniel     Pekingese versus Rottweiler     Pekingese versus Welsh Terrier     Pekingese versus Borzoi     Pekingese versus Mudi     Pekingese versus Lakeland Terrier     Pekingese versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Pekingese versus Siberian Husky     Pekingese versus Chinook     Pekingese versus Morkie     Pekingese versus Tibetan Mastiff     Pekingese versus Japanese Spitz     Pekingese versus Tibetan Spaniel     Pekingese versus Kerry Blue Terrier     

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Skye Terrier versus Biewer Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Skye Terrier versus Australian Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Chorkie     Skye Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Cairn Terrier     Skye Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer     Skye Terrier versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Skye Terrier versus Pomsky     Skye Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Skye Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Skye Terrier versus King Shepherd     Skye Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Skye Terrier versus Boston Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Chi-Poo     Skye Terrier versus Harrier     Skye Terrier versus Bullmastiff     Skye Terrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Skye Terrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Skye Terrier versus Borzoi     Skye Terrier versus Siberian Husky     Skye Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     

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