Differences and Similarities between the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier.

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Shiba Inu Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Shiba Inu versus Skye Terrier: Overview

Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier are similar in size. The Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier are both small-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Shiba Inu 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.

Shiba Inu versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier

Factor Shiba Inu Skye Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 16 years 12 to 14 years
Height 13 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 17 to 23 pounds 25 to 40 pounds
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 5/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2130 $2000
Price Range $1600 – $2500 $2000 – $2000
Temperament Score 67.9 percent 37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 44 176

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu is 82 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 not better or worse than the Shiba Inu. So, you can get the Skye Terrier or the Shiba Inu!

    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 Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.
  • The Similarities Between the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier are not easy to train.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Shiba Inu versus Skye Terrier

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

    Shiba Inus weigh 17 to 23 pounds when fully grown. Shiba Inus are 13 to 17 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 Shiba Inu versus Skye Terrier

    The lifespan of Shiba Inus is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shiba Inus 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.

    Shiba Inus live longer than Skye Terriers.

    Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Shiba Inu

    The Shiba Inu has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Shiba Inu is 67.9 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 67.9 percent, the Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 28 Shiba Inus and 8 Skye Terriers.

    Price of Shiba Inu versus Price of Skye Terrier

    The average price of the Shiba Inu puppy is $2130. The price of the Shiba Inu typically ranges from $1600 – $2500. However, the price of a Shiba Inu can be as low as $600 and as high as $6995. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 283 Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu is more expensive than the Skye Terrier.

    Shiba Inu Skye Terrier
    Average Price $2130 $2000
    Price Range $1600 to $2500 $2000 to $2000

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Shiba Inus. 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 Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu versus Adopting the Skye Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Shiba Inus 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 Shiba Inu named Mulligan that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Shiba Inus like Mulligan on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Shiba Inus, 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 Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Shiba Inu- Sebastian is the name of another Shiba Inu (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    The Popularity of Shiba Inu 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 Shiba Inu and the Skye Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shiba Inu is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shiba Inu is 44 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Shiba Inu

    Popularity of Shiba Inu

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Year Shiba Inu Popularity Rank Skye Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 46 161
    2014 47 177
    2015 45 175
    2016 44 178
    2017 45 172
    2018 44 178
    2019 45 187
    2020 43 183

    Tolerates Being Alone: Shiba Inu versus Skye Terrier

    Shiba Inus can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Shiba Inus shed more than Skye Terriers?

    Shiba Inus shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Shiba Inu or the Skye Terrier

    Shiba Inus do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Shiba Inu or the Skye Terrier?

    Shiba Inus are very easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Shiba Inu Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?

    Shiba Inus 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 Shiba Inus Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

    Shiba Inus 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 Shiba Inus Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Shiba Inus can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Shiba Inu vs. Skye Terrier

    Shiba Inus 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 Shiba Inus Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Shiba Inus 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 Shiba Inu or the Skye Terrier?

    Shiba Inus get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Shiba Inus good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Shiba Inus 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 Shiba Inus and Skye Terriers?

    Shiba Inus get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Shiba Inu Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Shiba Inus are not easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Shiba Inu Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?

    Shiba Inus adapt very well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Shiba Inus are very good for new dog owners.

    Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shiba Inu

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

  • Manchester Terrier (72 percent match with Shiba Inu). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (74 percent match with Shiba Inu). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • 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 Shiba Inu vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Shiba Inu Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shiba Inu versus Brittany     Shiba Inu versus Borzoi     Shiba Inu versus Carolina Dog     Shiba Inu versus Mal Shi     Shiba Inu versus Bullmastiff     Shiba Inu versus Doberman Pinscher     Shiba Inu versus Italian Greyhound     Shiba Inu versus Leonberger     Shiba Inu versus Mountain Cur     Shiba Inu versus English Springer Spaniel     Shiba Inu versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Shiba Inu versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Belgian Sheepdog     Shiba Inu versus Gordon Setter     Shiba Inu versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Shiba Inu versus Field Spaniel     Shiba Inu versus Vizsla     Shiba Inu versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Shiba Inu versus Maremma Sheepdog     Shiba Inu versus Norwegian Buhund     Shiba Inu versus Cockalier     Shiba Inu versus Portuguese Water Dog     Shiba Inu versus Cocker Spaniel     Shiba Inu versus Bull Terrier     Shiba Inu versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus German Shepherd Dog     Skye Terrier versus Lhasa Apso     Skye Terrier versus Scottish Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Azawakh     Skye Terrier versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Korean Jindo Dog     Skye Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Skye Terrier versus Chorkie     Skye Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Skye Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Standard Poodle     Skye Terrier versus Whippet     Skye Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Skye Terrier versus Mountain Cur     Skye Terrier versus Miniature Schnauzer     Skye Terrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Skye Terrier versus Boston Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     Skye Terrier versus Mountain Cur     Skye Terrier versus Italian Greyhound     Skye Terrier versus Mudi     Skye Terrier versus Afghan Hound     Skye Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Skye Terrier versus Cockalier     

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