Differences and Similarities between the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund.

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Skye Terrier Versus Swedish Vallhund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund 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 Skye Terrier and for the Swedish Vallhund. 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 Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Skye Terrier or the Swedish Vallhund.

Skye Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Swedish Vallhund belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Skye Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Skye Terrier to the Swedish Vallhund 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 Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund

Factor Skye Terrier Swedish Vallhund
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Weight 25 to 40 pounds 22 to 35 pounds
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Height 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2000 $2500
Price Range $2000 – $2000 $2500 – $2500
Temperament Score 37.5 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 176 155

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Skye 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 Swedish Vallhund. 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 Skye Terrier is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Swedish Vallhund is 86 out of 125.

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

    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 Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund

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

  • Skye Terriers are not easy to train. However, Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to train.
  • Skye Terriers are good for new dog owners. However, Swedish Vallhunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Skye Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Swedish Vallhunds are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund

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

  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund are very playful.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Skye Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund

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

    Skye Terriers weigh 25 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Skye Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Swedish Vallhunds weigh 22 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Swedish Vallhunds are 11 inches to 1 foot, 1 inch tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Skye Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund

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

    The lifespan of Swedish Vallhunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Swedish Vallhunds is 13.5 years.

    Swedish Vallhunds live longer than Skye Terriers.

    Temperament of the Swedish Vallhund Versus the Skye Terrier

    The Swedish Vallhund has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Swedish Vallhund is 100.0 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 37.5 percent, the Skye Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Swedish Vallhund has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund by measuring the temperaments of 8 Skye Terriers and 4 Swedish Vallhunds.

    Price of Skye Terrier versus Price of Swedish Vallhund

    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 a Skye Terrier can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1 Skye Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Swedish Vallhund puppy is $2500. The price of the Swedish Vallhund typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. However, the price of the Swedish Vallhund can be as low as $2500 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 2 Swedish Vallhund puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Swedish Vallhund is more expensive than the Skye Terrier.

    Skye Terrier Swedish Vallhund
    Average Price $2000 $2500
    Price Range $2000 to $2000 $2500 to $2500

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Swedish Vallhunds

    A breakdown of the prices of Swedish Vallhunds

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Skye Terrier puppy or the Swedish Vallhund 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 Skye Terrier versus Popularity of Swedish Vallhund

    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 Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Swedish Vallhund is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Swedish Vallhund is 155 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Swedish Vallhund

    Popularity of Swedish Vallhund

    Year Skye Terrier Popularity Rank Swedish Vallhund Popularity Rank
    2013 161 147
    2014 177 158
    2015 175 155
    2016 178 163
    2017 172 149
    2018 178 169
    2019 187 159
    2020 183 147

    Tolerates Being Alone: Skye Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Swedish Vallhunds can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Skye Terriers shed more than Swedish Vallhunds?

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Swedish Vallhunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Skye Terrier or the Swedish Vallhund

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Swedish Vallhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Skye Terrier or the Swedish Vallhund?

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Skye Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Swedish Vallhund?

    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.

    Swedish Vallhunds 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 Skye Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Swedish Vallhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Skye Terrier vs. Swedish Vallhund

    Skye Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Swedish Vallhunds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Swedish Vallhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Swedish Vallhunds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Swedish Vallhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Skye Terriers good family dogs? What about Swedish Vallhunds?

    Skye Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Swedish Vallhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Skye Terriers and Swedish Vallhunds?

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

    Swedish Vallhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Skye Terrier Easier to Train than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Swedish Vallhunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Skye Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Swedish Vallhund?

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Swedish Vallhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Swedish Vallhunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    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 Swedish Vallhund vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Swedish Vallhund

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

  • Dalmatian (75 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Dalmatian.
  • German Longhaired Pointer (74 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs German Longhaired Pointer.
  • Aussiedoodle (74 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Border Collie (75 percent match with Swedish Vallhund). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Border Collie.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Skye Terrier versus Australian Shepherd     Skye Terrier versus Lakeland Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Kishu Ken     Skye Terrier versus Kishu Ken     Skye Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Skye Terrier versus Labradoodle     Skye Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Irish Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Pomeranian     Skye Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     Skye Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Skye Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Skye Terrier versus Akita     Skye Terrier versus Bull Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Pug     Skye Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Skye Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Skye Terrier versus Cavachon     Skye Terrier versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Boerboel     Skye Terrier versus Sussex Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Maltese     Skye Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound     

    Swedish Vallhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Swedish Vallhund versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Swedish Vallhund versus Sealyham Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus Pomeranian     Swedish Vallhund versus Bolognese     Swedish Vallhund versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Swedish Vallhund versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Swedish Vallhund versus Papillon     Swedish Vallhund versus Labrador Retriever     Swedish Vallhund versus Irish Water Spaniel     Swedish Vallhund versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Swedish Vallhund versus French Bulldog     Swedish Vallhund versus Field Spaniel     Swedish Vallhund versus Bouvier des Flandres     Swedish Vallhund versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Swedish Vallhund versus Affenhuahua     Swedish Vallhund versus King Shepherd     Swedish Vallhund versus Westiepoo     Swedish Vallhund versus Bracco Italiano     Swedish Vallhund versus Hovawart     Swedish Vallhund versus Shetland Sheepdog     Swedish Vallhund versus Papillon     Swedish Vallhund versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Swedish Vallhund versus Bearded Collie     Swedish Vallhund versus Pomchi     Swedish Vallhund versus French Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Skye Terrier versus Swedish Vallhund. 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 Skye Terrier and the Swedish Vallhund better suits you and your family.