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

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Skye Terrier Versus Tibetan Terrier: Introduction

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

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

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 Terrier.

Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier: Overview

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

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 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.

Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier: Comparison Table

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

Factor Skye Terrier Tibetan Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Weight 25 to 40 pounds 20 to 24 pounds
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
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 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
General Health 5/5 5/5
Height 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2000 $1930
Price Range $2000 – $2000 $1500 – $2100
Temperament Score 37.5 percent 57.1 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Annual recertification REQUIRED
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • NEURONAL CEROID LIPOFUSCINOSIS (NCL)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 176 94
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 55 62

    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 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 Skye Terrier is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Tibetan Terrier is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Tibetan Terrier is a better pet than the Skye Terrier. So, you should get the Tibetan 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 Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier

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

  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier 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 Tibetan Terrier

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

    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 Terriers weigh 20 to 24 pounds when fully grown. Tibetan Terriers are 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier

    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 Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Tibetan Terriers is 13.5 years.

    Tibetan Terriers live longer than Skye Terriers.

    Temperament of the Tibetan Terrier Versus the Skye Terrier

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Tibetan Terrier is 57.1 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 57.1 percent, the Tibetan Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 8 Skye Terriers and 14 Tibetan Terriers.

    Price of Skye Terrier versus Price of Tibetan Terrier

    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 Terrier puppy is $1930. The price of the Tibetan Terrier typically ranges from $1500 – $2100. However, the price of the Tibetan Terrier can be as low as $1500 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 11 Tibetan Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Skye Terrier is more expensive than the Tibetan Terrier.

    Skye Terrier Tibetan Terrier
    Average Price $2000 $1930
    Price Range $2000 to $2000 $1500 to $2100

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Tibetan Terriers

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

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Skye Terriers and many Tibetan 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 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 Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Boo is a Male Tibetan Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Tibetan Terriers like Boo that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

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

    Also, Sonnie is an adorable Male Tibetan Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    The Intelligence of the Skye Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Tibetan Terrier

    Skye Terrier Tibetan Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 55 out of 130 dog breeds 62 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 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 Tibetan Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 62 out of 130 dog breeds. The Tibetan Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Tibetan Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Skye Terrier is more intelligent than the Tibetan 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 Skye Terrier versus Popularity of Tibetan 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 Skye Terrier and the Tibetan Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Tibetan Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Tibetan Terrier is 94 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 Terrier

    Popularity of Tibetan Terrier

    Year Skye Terrier Popularity Rank Tibetan Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 161 88
    2014 177 88
    2015 175 90
    2016 178 91
    2017 172 101
    2018 178 96
    2019 187 101
    2020 183 99

    Tolerates Being Alone: Skye Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Tibetan Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Skye Terriers shed more than Tibetan Terriers?

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

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

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

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tibetan Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

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

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

    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 Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

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

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

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

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

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Tibetan Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Skye Terrier vs. Tibetan Terrier

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

    Tibetan Terriers 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 Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Tibetan Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Tibetan Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

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

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Skye Terriers and Tibetan Terriers?

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

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

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

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Tibetan Terriers are very easy to train.

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

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Tibetan Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Tibetan Terriers are OK 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 Terrier vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Tibetan Terrier

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

  • Portuguese Water Dog (78 percent match with Tibetan Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Portuguese Water Dog.
  • Barbet (79 percent match with Tibetan Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Barbet.
  • Lakeland Terrier (79 percent match with Tibetan Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (78 percent match with Tibetan Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Skye Terrier vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Skye Terrier versus Pointer     Skye Terrier versus Pyredoodle     Skye Terrier versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Bullmastiff     Skye Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Karelian Bear Dog     Skye Terrier versus Pyredoodle     Skye Terrier versus Cairn Terrier     Skye Terrier versus Collie     Skye Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Skye Terrier versus Azawakh     Skye Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Skye Terrier versus King Shepherd     Skye Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound     Skye Terrier versus Lancashire Heeler     Skye Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog     Skye Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Pyredoodle     Skye Terrier versus Bullmastiff     Skye Terrier versus Papillon     Skye Terrier versus German Pinscher     Skye Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     Skye Terrier versus Ibizan Hound     Skye Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Skye Terrier versus Australian Terrier     

    Tibetan Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Tibetan Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Tibetan Terrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Tibetan Terrier versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Tibetan Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Tibetan Terrier versus Karelian Bear Dog     Tibetan Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound     Tibetan Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Tibetan Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound     Tibetan Terrier versus Bernedoodle     Tibetan Terrier versus Lhasapoo     Tibetan Terrier versus Spinone Italiano     Tibetan Terrier versus French Spaniel     Tibetan Terrier versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Tibetan Terrier versus Leonberger     Tibetan Terrier versus Dalmatian     Tibetan Terrier versus Lowchen     Tibetan Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Tibetan Terrier versus Saluki     Tibetan Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound     Tibetan Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Tibetan Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund     Tibetan Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Tibetan Terrier versus Portuguese Water Dog     Tibetan Terrier versus Samoyed     Tibetan Terrier versus Puli     

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