Which is Better between the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff? A Very Detailed Review.

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Skye Terrier Versus Tibetan Mastiff: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff. 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 Tibetan Mastiff.

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 Tibetan Mastiff.

Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff: Overview

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

Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Skye Terrier to the Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff

Factor Skye Terrier Tibetan Mastiff
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 10 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Easy To Train 2/5 1/5
Weight 25 to 40 pounds 75 to 160 pounds
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Height 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 2 feet to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $2000 $3190
Price Range $2000 – $2000 $1500 – $3000
Temperament Score 37.5 percent 52.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 176 135

    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 Tibetan Mastiff. 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 Tibetan Mastiff is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Skye Terrier is a better pet than the Tibetan Mastiff. 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 Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiff

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

  • Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs. However, Tibetan Mastiffs get along well with other dogs.
  • Skye Terriers adapt well to apartment living. However, Tibetan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Skye Terriers are good for new dog owners. However, Tibetan Mastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Skye Terriers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Tibetan Mastiffs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff

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

  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are not easy to train.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff

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

    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, Tibetan Mastiffs weigh 75 to 160 pounds when fully grown. Tibetan Mastiffs are 2 feet to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff

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

    The lifespan of Tibetan Mastiffs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Tibetan Mastiffs is 12.0 years.

    Skye Terriers live longer than Tibetan Mastiffs.

    Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Tibetan Mastiff

    The Tibetan Mastiff has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Tibetan Mastiff is 52.9 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 37.5 percent, the Skye Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 52.9 percent, the Tibetan Mastiff has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Mastiff by measuring the temperaments of 8 Skye Terriers and 17 Tibetan Mastiffs.

    Price of Skye Terrier versus Price of Tibetan Mastiff

    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 Tibetan Mastiff puppy is $3190. The price of the Tibetan Mastiff typically ranges from $1500 – $3000. However, the price of the Tibetan Mastiff can be as low as $1000 and as high as $8000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 18 Tibetan Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Tibetan Mastiff is more expensive than the Skye Terrier.

    Skye Terrier Tibetan Mastiff
    Average Price $2000 $3190
    Price Range $2000 to $2000 $1500 to $3000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Skye Terrier and Tibetan Mastiff. For different price points, the charts show how many Skye Terrier puppies or how many Tibetan Mastiff 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 Tibetan Mastiffs

    A breakdown of the prices of Tibetan Mastiffs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Skye Terrier puppy or the Tibetan Mastiff 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 Skye Terrier versus Adopting the Tibetan Mastiff

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Skye Terriers and many Tibetan Mastiffs 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 Skye Terrier named Bill Bailey that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Skye Terriers like Bill Bailey on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Skye Terriers, Tibetan Mastiffs are also available for adoption. For example, Mav is a Male Tibetan Mastiff that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Tibetan Mastiffs like Mav that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

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

    Also, Darwin & Raven is an adorable Male Tibetan Mastiff on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    The Popularity of Skye Terrier versus Popularity of Tibetan Mastiff

    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 Tibetan Mastiff over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Tibetan Mastiff is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Tibetan Mastiff is 135 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 Tibetan Mastiff

    Popularity of Tibetan Mastiff

    Year Skye Terrier Popularity Rank Tibetan Mastiff Popularity Rank
    2013 161 132
    2014 177 135
    2015 175 133
    2016 178 135
    2017 172 153
    2018 178 131
    2019 187 128
    2020 183 140

    Tolerates Being Alone: Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Skye Terriers shed more than Tibetan Mastiffs?

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Skye Terrier or the Tibetan Mastiff

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Skye Terrier or the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Tibetan Mastiffs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Skye Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Tibetan Mastiff?

    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.

    Tibetan Mastiffs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Skye Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Tibetan Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Tibetan Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Skye Terrier vs. Tibetan Mastiff

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs 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 Tibetan Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Tibetan Mastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Tibetan Mastiffs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Skye Terriers good family dogs? What about Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Skye Terriers and Tibetan Mastiffs?

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

    Tibetan Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Skye Terrier Easier to Train than the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Tibetan Mastiffs are not easy to train.

    Is the Skye Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Tibetan Mastiff?

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Tibetan Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Tibetan Mastiffs 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 Tibetan Mastiff vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Tibetan Mastiff

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

  • Bernedoodle (71 percent match with Tibetan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Bernedoodle.
  • Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (70 percent match with Tibetan Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Harrier     Skye Terrier versus Saluki     Skye Terrier versus Bich Poo     Skye Terrier versus Kai Ken     Skye Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Labrador Retriever     Skye Terrier versus Pomchi     Skye Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Skye Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Skye Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Skye Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Skye Terrier versus Collie     Skye Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Skye Terrier versus Cesky Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Skye Terrier versus Silky Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Afador     Skye Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Sloughi     Skye Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Skye Terrier versus Scottish Deerhound     Skye Terrier versus Karelian Bear Dog     

    Tibetan Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Tibetan Mastiff versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Tibetan Mastiff versus Havanese     Tibetan Mastiff versus Maremma Sheepdog     Tibetan Mastiff versus Pomchi     Tibetan Mastiff versus Brittany     Tibetan Mastiff versus Japanese Chin     Tibetan Mastiff versus Tibetan Terrier     Tibetan Mastiff versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Tibetan Mastiff versus Belgian Tervuren     Tibetan Mastiff versus Patterdale Terrier     Tibetan Mastiff versus Border Collie     Tibetan Mastiff versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Tibetan Mastiff versus Boerboel     Tibetan Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel     Tibetan Mastiff versus Akita Chow     Tibetan Mastiff versus Bulldog     Tibetan Mastiff versus Afghan Hound     Tibetan Mastiff versus English Toy Spaniel     Tibetan Mastiff versus Sealyham Terrier     Tibetan Mastiff versus Boston Terrier     Tibetan Mastiff versus Afghan Hound     Tibetan Mastiff versus Mastiff     Tibetan Mastiff versus Carolina Dog     Tibetan Mastiff versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Tibetan Mastiff versus Bordoodle     

    Conclusion: Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff. 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 Tibetan Mastiff better suits you and your family.