A Detailed Comparison of the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier.

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Silky Terrier Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Silky Terrier versus Skye Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Silky Terrier 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.

Silky Terrier versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier

Factor Silky Terrier Skye Terrier
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 14 years
Dog Friendly 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Weight 8 to 10 pounds 25 to 40 pounds
Height 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1890 $2000
Price Range $1425 – $2075 $2000 – $2000
Temperament Score 73.7 percent 37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 103 176
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 37 55

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier is 80 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 Silky Terrier. 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 Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Silky Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Skye Terriers can tolerate cold weather.
  • The Similarities Between the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Silky Terrier versus Skye Terrier

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

    Silky Terriers weigh 8 to 10 pounds when fully grown. Silky Terriers are 9 to 10 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 Silky Terrier versus Skye Terrier

    The lifespan of Silky Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Silky Terriers 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.

    Silky Terriers live longer than Skye Terriers.

    Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Silky Terrier

    The Silky Terrier has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Silky Terrier is 73.7 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 73.7 percent, the Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 19 Silky Terriers and 8 Skye Terriers.

    Price of Silky Terrier versus Price of Skye Terrier

    The average price of the Silky Terrier puppy is $1890. The price of the Silky Terrier typically ranges from $1425 – $2075. However, the price of a Silky Terrier can be as low as $350 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 42 Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier.

    Silky Terrier Skye Terrier
    Average Price $1890 $2000
    Price Range $1425 to $2075 $2000 to $2000

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Silky Terriers. 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 Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier versus Adopting the Skye Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Silky Terriers 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 Silky Terrier named Barney that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Silky Terriers like Barney on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Silky Terriers, 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 Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Chewy is the name of another Silky Terrier (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    The Intelligence of the Silky Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier

    Silky Terrier Skye Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 37 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 Silky Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The Silky Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Silky Terriers 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 Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier 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 Silky Terrier and the Skye Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Silky Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Silky Terrier is 103 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Silky Terrier

    Popularity of Silky Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Year Silky Terrier Popularity Rank Skye Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 92 161
    2014 101 177
    2015 102 175
    2016 100 178
    2017 106 172
    2018 112 178
    2019 109 187
    2020 108 183

    Tolerates Being Alone: Silky Terrier versus Skye Terrier

    Silky Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Silky Terriers shed more than Skye Terriers?

    Silky Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Silky Terrier or the Skye Terrier

    Silky Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Silky Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Silky 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.

    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 Silky Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

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

    Silky Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Silky Terrier vs. Skye Terrier

    Silky Terriers 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 Silky Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Silky Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Silky Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Silky Terriers good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Silky Terriers 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 Silky Terriers and Skye Terriers?

    Silky Terriers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Silky Terrier Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Silky Terriers are very easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

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

    Silky Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Silky Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Silky Terrier

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

  • American Hairless Terrier (81 percent match with Silky Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier.
  • Australian Terrier (79 percent match with Silky Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Australian Terrier.
  • 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 Silky Terrier vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Silky Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Silky Terrier versus American Eskimo Dog     Silky Terrier versus German Shepherd Dog     Silky Terrier versus Skye Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Beagle     Silky Terrier versus Kai Ken     Silky Terrier versus Maltese     Silky Terrier versus Pomsky     Silky Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Silky Terrier versus Morkie     Silky Terrier versus Bolognese     Silky Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Silky Terrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Silky Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Silky Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound     Silky Terrier versus Peek A Poo     Silky Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer     Silky Terrier versus Bearded Collie     Silky Terrier versus Frenchton     Silky Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     Silky Terrier versus Chi-Poo     Silky Terrier versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Silky Terrier versus Coton de Tulear     

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     Skye Terrier versus Chihuahua     Skye Terrier versus Kuvasz     Skye Terrier versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Skye Terrier versus Barbet     Skye Terrier versus Afador     Skye Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     Skye Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Skye Terrier versus Norfolk Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Silky Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Skye Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     Skye Terrier versus Field Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Japanese Spitz     Skye Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Skye Terrier versus Cockalier     Skye Terrier versus Boston Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Miniature Poodle     Skye Terrier versus American Foxhound     Skye Terrier versus Pomsky     Skye Terrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Skye Terrier versus Newfoundland     Skye Terrier versus Kuvasz     Skye Terrier versus Papipoo     Skye Terrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     

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