Portuguese Water Dog versus Skye Terrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Portuguese Water Dog Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog or the Skye Terrier.

Portuguese Water Dog versus Skye Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Portuguese Water Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Portuguese Water Dog versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier

Factor Portuguese Water Dog Skye Terrier
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the 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
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Weight 35 to 60 pounds 25 to 40 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
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
Average Price $2860 $2000
Price Range $2500 – $3300 $2000 – $2000
Temperament Score 77.9 percent 37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annual exams until age 10
  • GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Univ of Pennsylvania –
  • NYU
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 50 176

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Skye Terrier is 82 out of 125.

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

    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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier are most different:

  • Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with other dogs. However, Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Portuguese Water Dog versus Skye Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier.

    Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the 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 Portuguese Water Dog versus Skye Terrier

    The lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dogs.

    Temperament of the Portuguese Water Dog Versus the Skye Terrier

    The Portuguese Water Dog has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 77.9 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 77.9 percent, the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 163 Portuguese Water Dogs and 8 Skye Terriers.

    Price of Portuguese Water Dog versus Price of Skye Terrier

    The average price of the Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2860. The price of the Portuguese Water Dog typically ranges from $2500 – $3300. However, the price of a Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 140 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog is more expensive than the Skye Terrier.

    Portuguese Water Dog Skye Terrier
    Average Price $2860 $2000
    Price Range $2500 to $3300 $2000 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs. 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Portuguese Water Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Portuguese Water Dog is 50 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Popularity of Portuguese Water Dog

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Year Portuguese Water Dog Popularity Rank Skye Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 49 161
    2014 52 177
    2015 52 175
    2016 51 178
    2017 54 172
    2018 50 178
    2019 49 187
    2020 49 183

    Tolerates Being Alone: Portuguese Water Dog versus Skye Terrier

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Portuguese Water Dogs shed more than Skye Terriers?

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Portuguese Water Dog or the Skye Terrier

    Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Portuguese Water Dog or the Skye Terrier?

    Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Portuguese Water Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

    Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Skye Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Portuguese Water Dog vs. Skye Terrier

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dog or the Skye Terrier?

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Portuguese Water Dogs good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Portuguese Water Dogs and Skye Terriers?

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Portuguese Water Dog Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Portuguese Water Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?

    Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog:

  • Bernedoodle (83 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Bernedoodle.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). 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 Portuguese Water Dog vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Water Dog versus Komondor     Portuguese Water Dog versus Affenpinscher     Portuguese Water Dog versus Xoloitzcuintli     Portuguese Water Dog versus Afador     Portuguese Water Dog versus Chow Chow     Portuguese Water Dog versus Alaskan Malamute     Portuguese Water Dog versus Maltipoo     Portuguese Water Dog versus Havanese     Portuguese Water Dog versus Morkie     Portuguese Water Dog versus Cockapoo     Portuguese Water Dog versus Giant Schnauzer     Portuguese Water Dog versus Sheepadoodle     Portuguese Water Dog versus Harrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Bedlington Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Redbone Coonhound     Portuguese Water Dog versus Schipperke     Portuguese Water Dog versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Vizsla     Portuguese Water Dog versus Irish Setter     Portuguese Water Dog versus Irish Water Spaniel     Portuguese Water Dog versus Borzoi     Portuguese Water Dog versus Peek A Poo     Portuguese Water Dog versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Portuguese Water Dog versus Chinese Crested     

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus American Bulldog     Skye Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Skye Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Skye Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Skye Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Skye Terrier versus Bracco Italiano     Skye Terrier versus Shiranian     Skye Terrier versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Skye Terrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Skye Terrier versus Cockalier     Skye Terrier versus Lancashire Heeler     Skye Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Skye Terrier versus Bull Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Italian Greyhound     Skye Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Skye Terrier versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Skye Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Skye Terrier versus Sheepadoodle     Skye Terrier versus Weimaraner     Skye Terrier versus Bullmastiff     Skye Terrier versus Spinone Italiano     Skye Terrier versus German Pinscher     Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     

    Conclusion: Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog and the Skye Terrier better suits you and your family.