Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Skye Terrier Versus Whippet: Introduction
- Skye Terrier versus Whippet: Overview
- Skye Terrier versus Whippet: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Skye Terrier and the Whippet
- The Similarities Between the Skye Terrier and the Whippet
- Size (Weight and Height) of Skye Terrier versus Whippet
- Lifespan of Skye Terrier versus Whippet
- Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Whippet
- Price of Skye Terrier versus Price of Whippet
- Adopting the Skye Terrier versus Adopting the Whippet
- The Intelligence of the Skye Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
- The Popularity of Skye Terrier versus Popularity of Whippet
- Tolerates Being Alone: Skye Terrier versus Whippet
- Do Skye Terriers shed more than Whippets?
- Which one drools more, the Skye Terrier or the Whippet
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Skye Terrier or the Whippet?
- Does the Skye Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
- Do Skye Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Whippets?
- Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Skye Terrier vs. Whippet
- Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Skye Terrier or the Whippet?
- Are Skye Terriers good family dogs? What about Whippets?
- How Kid-friendly are Skye Terriers and Whippets?
- Is the Skye Terrier Easier to Train than the Whippet?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Skye Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Skye Terrier versus Whippet. Which One is a Better Pet?
Skye Terrier Versus Whippet: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Skye Terrier and the Whippet? 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 Whippet 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 Whippet.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Skye Terrier and the Whippet 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 Whippet. 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 Whippet.
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 Whippet.
Skye Terrier versus Whippet: Overview
A very important difference between the Skye Terrier and the Whippet is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Skye Terrier is a small-sized dog while the Whippet 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 Whippet belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
Skye Terrier versus Whippet: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Skye Terrier to the Whippet 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 Whippet
| Factor | Skye Terrier | Whippet |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 40 pounds | 18 to 48 pounds |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| 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 | 1/5 |
| 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 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder | 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2000 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $2000 – $2000 | $1600 – $2600 |
| Temperament Score | 37.5 percent | 86.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 176 | 58 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 55 | 51 |
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 Whippet. 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 Whippet is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Whippet is a better pet than the Skye Terrier. So, you should get the Whippet!
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 Whippet 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 Whippet
Below is a list of where the Skye Terrier and the Whippet are most different:
The Similarities Between the Skye Terrier and the Whippet
The Skye Terrier and the Whippet are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Skye Terrier and the Whippet are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Skye Terrier versus Whippet
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Skye Terrier and the Whippet.
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, Whippets weigh 18 to 48 pounds when fully grown. Whippets are 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Skye Terrier versus Whippet
The lifespan of Skye Terriers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Skye Terriers is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Whippets is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Whippets is 13.5 years.
Whippets live longer than Skye Terriers.
Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Whippet
The Whippet has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.
This is because the temperament score for the Whippet is 86.2 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 86.2 percent, the Whippet has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Skye Terrier and the Whippet by measuring the temperaments of 8 Skye Terriers and 203 Whippets.
Price of Skye Terrier versus Price of Whippet
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 Whippet puppy is $2120. The price of the Whippet typically ranges from $1600 – $2600. However, the price of the Whippet can be as low as $400 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 121 Whippet puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Whippet is more expensive than the Skye Terrier.
| Skye Terrier | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2000 | $2120 |
| Price Range | $2000 to $2000 | $1600 to $2600 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Skye Terrier and Whippet. For different price points, the charts show how many Skye Terrier puppies or how many Whippet 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 Whippets
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Skye Terrier puppy or the Whippet 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 Whippet
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Skye Terriers and many Whippets 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, Whippets are also available for adoption. For example, Malcom is a Male Whippet that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Whippets like Malcom that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
You can find more Skye Terriers and Whippets that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Skye Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Whippet
| Skye Terrier | Whippet | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 55 out of 130 dog breeds | 51 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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:
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 Whippet has an obedience intelligence rank of 51 out of 130 dog breeds. The Whippet belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Whippets tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Whippet 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 Skye Terrier versus Popularity of Whippet
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 Whippet over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Whippet is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Whippet is 58 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 Whippet
| Year | Skye Terrier Popularity Rank | Whippet Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 161 | 59 |
| 2014 | 177 | 56 |
| 2015 | 175 | 57 |
| 2016 | 178 | 60 |
| 2017 | 172 | 61 |
| 2018 | 178 | 61 |
| 2019 | 187 | 57 |
| 2020 | 183 | 59 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Skye Terrier versus Whippet
Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Whippets do not like to be left alone.
Do Skye Terriers shed more than Whippets?
Skye Terriers shed moderately.
Whippets do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Skye Terrier or the Whippet
Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Whippets do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Skye Terrier or the Whippet?
Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Whippets are very easy to groom.
Does the Skye Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Whippet?
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.
Whippets 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 Whippets?
Skye Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Whippets are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Whippets Tolerate Cold Weather?
Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Whippets cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Skye Terrier vs. Whippet
Skye Terriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Whippets have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Whippets Tolerate Hot Weather?
Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Whippets can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Skye Terrier or the Whippet?
Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
Whippets get along very well with other dogs.
Are Skye Terriers good family dogs? What about Whippets?
Skye Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Whippets are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Skye Terriers and Whippets?
Skye Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Whippets get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Skye Terrier Easier to Train than the Whippet?
Skye Terriers are not easy to train.
Whippets are very easy to train.
Is the Skye Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Whippet?
Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Whippets adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Skye Terrier or the Whippet?
Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Whippets 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Whippet
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Whippet 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 Whippet:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Skye Terrier and how the Whippet compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Skye Terrier and of the Whippet to other breeds:
Skye Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Skye Terrier versus Boxerdoodle Skye Terrier versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Skye Terrier versus Basset Hound Skye Terrier versus Affenhuahua Skye Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog Skye Terrier versus Chow Chow Skye Terrier versus Puli Skye Terrier versus Shetland Sheepdog Skye Terrier versus Sealyham Terrier Skye Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog Skye Terrier versus Cairn Terrier Skye Terrier versus Aussiedoodle Skye Terrier versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Skye Terrier versus Chi-Poo Skye Terrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai Skye Terrier versus Whippet Skye Terrier versus Pharaoh Hound Skye Terrier versus Bernedoodle Skye Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound Skye Terrier versus German Shepherd Dog Skye Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound Skye Terrier versus Greyhound Skye Terrier versus Affenhuahua Skye Terrier versus Schipperke Skye Terrier versus Lhasapoo
Whippet Versus Other Dog Breeds
Whippet versus Keeshond Whippet versus Chinook Whippet versus Boykin Spaniel Whippet versus Alaskan Klee Kai Whippet versus American Pit Bull Terrier Whippet versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Whippet versus Australian Terrier Whippet versus Siberian Husky Whippet versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Whippet versus Lagotto Romagnolo Whippet versus Labrador Retriever Whippet versus Pyrenean Mastiff Whippet versus Shiranian Whippet versus Borzoi Whippet versus Lhasapoo Whippet versus Irish Terrier Whippet versus Newfoundland Whippet versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Whippet versus Boerboel Whippet versus Shih Tzu Whippet versus Shihpoo Whippet versus Mastiff Whippet versus Bracco Italiano Whippet versus Lhasa Apso Whippet versus Kerry Blue Terrier
Conclusion: Skye Terrier versus Whippet. 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 Whippet better suits you and your family.