Why the Miniature Schnauzer is Better than the Skye Terrier as a Pet

Last Updated: May 01, 2022

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Miniature Schnauzer Versus Skye Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Miniature Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier

Miniature Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier are Terrier Dogs. This means both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier 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.

Miniature Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier

FactorMiniature SchnauzerSkye Terrier
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Weight11 to 20 pounds25 to 40 pounds
Life Span12 to 14 years12 to 14 years
Height13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Does NOT Shed4/53/5
Easy To Groom2/53/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Good For Novice Owners3/54/5
Kid-Friendly3/54/5
Dog Friendly3/52/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/55/5
General Health3/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/52/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/54/5
Easygoing2/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Low Prey Drive2/52/5
Potential For Playfulness4/54/5
Tolerates Being Alone5/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Easy To Train5/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/53/5
Average Lifespan13.0 years13.0 years
Average Price$1950$2000
Price Range$1400 – $2500$2000 – $2000
Temperament Score79.3 percent37.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Mycobacterium Avian Complex
  • Myotonia Congenita
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds17176
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)1255
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

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

    Despite the equal Better-Pet score of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier, we still think that the Miniature Schnauzer is a better pet than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because Miniature Schnauzers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Miniature Schnauzer will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Miniature Schnauzer :-). We are for the Miniature Schnauzer. So get a Miniature Schnauzer!

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.
  • Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train. However, Skye Terriers are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier

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

  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier

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

    The Miniature Schnauzer weighs 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. The Miniature Schnauzer is 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Skye Terrier weighs 25 to 40 pounds when fully grown. The Skye Terrier is 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Miniature Schnauzer versus Size of Skye Terrier

    Appearance (Colors) of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier

    Miniature Schnauzer Colors

    The Miniature Schnauzer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Bicolor
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn

    The Miniature Schnauzer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Black
    • Gray / Blue / Silver

    Skye Terrier Colors

    The Skye Terrier comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black

    The Skye Terrier comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate

    Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier

    The lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is 13.0 years.

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

    The Skye Terrier live as long as the Miniature Schnauzer.

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier

    Temperament of the Skye Terrier Versus the Miniature Schnauzer

    The Miniature Schnauzer has a better temperament than the Skye Terrier.

    This is because the temperament score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 79.3 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 79.3 percent, the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 116 Miniature Schnauzers and 8 Skye Terriers.

    Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of Skye Terrier

    The average price of the Miniature Schnauzer puppy is $1950. The price of the Miniature Schnauzer typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of a Miniature Schnauzer can be as low as $500 and as high as $8500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 913 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer.

    Miniature Schnauzer Skye Terrier
    Average Price $1950 $2000
    Price Range $1400 to $2500 $2000 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Schnauzers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Schnauzers. 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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.

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier

    The Intelligence of the Miniature Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Skye Terrier

    Miniature Schnauzer Skye Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 12 out of 130 dog breeds 55 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Miniature Schnauzer has an obedience intelligence rank of 12 out of 130 dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Miniature Schnauzers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Skye Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Miniature Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the Skye Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Skye Terrier is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

    Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Popularity of Skye Terrier

    Year Miniature Schnauzer Popularity Rank Skye Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 17 161
    2014 16 177
    2015 16 175
    2016 17 178
    2017 18 172
    2018 19 178
    2019 18 187
    2020 19 183
    2021 18 181

    Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Skye Terrier

    Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Skye Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Skye Terriers?

    Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Skye Terriers shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Skye Terrier?

    Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Skye Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

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

    Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Skye Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Skye Terriers?

    Miniature Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Skye Terrier?

    Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.

    Skye Terriers are not easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Skye Terrier

    Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Skye Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Skye Terriers?

    Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Skye Terrier?

    Miniature Schnauzers 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 Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Skye Terriers?

    Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Skye Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Skye Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Skye Terrier

    Miniature Schnauzers 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 Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Skye Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.

    Skye Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Skye Terrier?

    Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Skye Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.

    Skye Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Miniature Schnauzer compares to other breeds aside from the Skye Terrier. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer to other breeds:

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Beaglier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Miniature Pinscher     Miniature Schnauzer versus Chinese Crested     Miniature Schnauzer versus Airedale Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Miniature Schnauzer versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Miniature Schnauzer versus Dalmatian     Miniature Schnauzer versus Samoyed     Miniature Schnauzer versus Irish Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Miniature Schnauzer versus Scottish Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Goldador     Miniature Schnauzer versus Bich Poo     Miniature Schnauzer versus English Setter     Miniature Schnauzer versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     

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