Samoyed versus Skye Terrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Samoyed Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Samoyed versus Skye Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Samoyed 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.

Samoyed versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Samoyed 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 Samoyed and the Skye Terrier

Factor Samoyed Skye Terrier
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 3/5
Height 1 foot, 7 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
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
Weight 50 to 60 pounds 25 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2460 $2000
Price Range $1500 – $3000 $2000 – $2000
Temperament Score 80.3 percent 37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination, minimum age 1 year
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (X-L PRA) DNA Test
  • RD/OSD
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 61 176
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 33 55

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Samoyed 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 Samoyed is 71 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 Samoyed. 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 Samoyed 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 Samoyed and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Samoyeds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
  • Samoyeds get along well with other dogs. However, Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the Samoyed and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Both the Samoyed and the Skye Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Samoyed 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 Samoyed and the Skye Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Skye Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Skye Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Skye Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Skye Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Skye Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Samoyed and the Skye Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Samoyed versus Skye Terrier

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

    Samoyeds weigh 50 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Samoyeds are 1 foot, 7 inches to 2 feet 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 Samoyed versus Skye Terrier

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

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

    Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Samoyed

    The Samoyed has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Samoyed is 80.3 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 80.3 percent, the Samoyed 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 Samoyed and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 294 Samoyeds and 8 Skye Terriers.

    Price of Samoyed versus Price of Skye Terrier

    The average price of the Samoyed puppy is $2460. The price of the Samoyed typically ranges from $1500 – $3000. However, the price of a Samoyed can be as low as $800 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 Samoyed 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 Samoyed is more expensive than the Skye Terrier.

    Samoyed Skye Terrier
    Average Price $2460 $2000
    Price Range $1500 to $3000 $2000 to $2000

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Samoyeds. 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 Samoyed 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.

    Adopting the Samoyed versus Adopting the Skye Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Samoyeds and many Skye Terriers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Samoyed named We Have No Dogs Available At This Time. that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Samoyeds like We Have No Dogs Available At This Time. on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Samoyeds, Skye Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Bill Bailey is a Male Skye Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Skye Terriers like Bill Bailey that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Samoyed and the Skye Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Chester is the name of another Samoyed (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Samoyeds and Skye Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Samoyed versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier

    Samoyed Skye Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 33 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 Samoyed has an obedience intelligence rank of 33 out of 130 dog breeds. The Samoyed belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Samoyeds 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 Samoyed 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 Samoyed 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 Samoyed and the Skye Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Samoyed is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Samoyed is 61 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Samoyed

    Popularity of Samoyed

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Year Samoyed Popularity Rank Skye Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 67 161
    2014 68 177
    2015 61 175
    2016 65 178
    2017 57 172
    2018 59 178
    2019 58 187
    2020 56 183

    Tolerates Being Alone: Samoyed versus Skye Terrier

    Samoyeds do not like to be left alone.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Samoyeds shed more than Skye Terriers?

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

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Samoyed or the Skye Terrier

    Samoyeds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Samoyeds 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 Samoyeds Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

    Samoyeds bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Samoyeds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Samoyeds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Samoyed vs. Skye Terrier

    Samoyeds 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 Samoyeds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Samoyeds 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 Samoyed or the Skye Terrier?

    Samoyeds get along very well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Samoyeds good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Samoyeds 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 Samoyeds and Skye Terriers?

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

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

    Is the Samoyed Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Samoyeds are fairly easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

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

    Samoyeds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Samoyeds 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 Samoyed

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

  • English Setter (75 percent match with Samoyed). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs English Setter.
  • Siberian Husky (75 percent match with Samoyed). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Siberian Husky.
  • 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 Samoyed vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Samoyed Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Samoyed versus Bearded Collie     Samoyed versus Valley Bulldog     Samoyed versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Samoyed versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Samoyed versus Stabyhoun     Samoyed versus Golden Retriever     Samoyed versus Sheepadoodle     Samoyed versus Bernedoodle     Samoyed versus Finnish Spitz     Samoyed versus English Toy Spaniel     Samoyed versus Tibetan Spaniel     Samoyed versus Australian Terrier     Samoyed versus Australian Kelpie     Samoyed versus Belgian Malinois     Samoyed versus American Water Spaniel     Samoyed versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Samoyed versus Boston Terrier     Samoyed versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Samoyed versus Belgian Tervuren     Samoyed versus Cane Corso     Samoyed versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Samoyed versus Afador     Samoyed versus Chinook     Samoyed versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Samoyed versus Alaskan Klee Kai     

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     Skye Terrier versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Skye Terrier versus Pyredoodle     Skye Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Skye Terrier versus Boxer     Skye Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound     Skye Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres     Skye Terrier versus Pomapoo     Skye Terrier versus Puli     Skye Terrier versus Canaan Dog     Skye Terrier versus Boxer     Skye Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Basenji     Skye Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Skye Terrier versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Skye Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Skye Terrier versus Schipperke     Skye Terrier versus Shihpoo     Skye Terrier versus Havanese     Skye Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Skye Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Skye Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Skye Terrier versus Japanese Spitz     Skye Terrier versus Japanese Spitz     

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