Differences and Similarities between the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund.

American Eskimo Dog versus Finnish Lapphund

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American Eskimo Dog Versus Finnish Lapphund: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund 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 American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund 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 American Eskimo Dog and for the Finnish Lapphund. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the American Eskimo Dog or the Finnish Lapphund

American Eskimo Dog versus Finnish Lapphund

American Eskimo Dog versus Finnish Lapphund: Overview

A very important difference between the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Eskimo Dog is a small-sized dog while the Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Eskimo Dog 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.

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

American Eskimo Dog versus Finnish Lapphund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Eskimo Dog to the Finnish Lapphund 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.

Factor American Eskimo Dog Finnish Lapphund
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Height 15 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight Starts at 30 pounds 33 to 53 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1220 No Data
Price Range $750 – $1500 No Data
Temperament Score 82.6 percent 62.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 118 168

    *Data from 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 American Eskimo Dog 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 Finnish Lapphund. 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 a American Eskimo Dog is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Finnish Lapphund is 84 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the American Eskimo Dog is a better pet than the Finnish Lapphund. So, you should get the American Eskimo Dog!

    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 American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund

    The American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are most similar:

  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund 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 American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are very easy to train.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of American Eskimo Dog versus Finnish Lapphund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund.

    American Eskimo Dogs weigh Starts at 30 pounds when fully grown. American Eskimo Dogs are 15 to 19 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Finnish Lapphunds weigh 33 to 53 pounds when fully grown. Finnish Lapphunds are 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the American Eskimo Dog Versus the Finnish Lapphund

    The American Eskimo Dog has a better temperament than the Finnish Lapphund.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Eskimo Dog is 82.6 percent while the temperament score for the Finnish Lapphund is 62.5 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 they 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 82.6 percent, the American Eskimo Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 62.5 percent, the Finnish Lapphund has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund by measuring the temperaments of 86 American Eskimo Dogs and 8 Finnish Lapphunds.

    The Popularity of American Eskimo Dog versus Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    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 American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the American Eskimo Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Lapphund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the American Eskimo Dog is 118 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Lapphund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of American Eskimo Dog

    Popularity of American Eskimo Dog

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Year American Eskimo Dog Popularity Rank Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank
    2013 110 171
    2014 120 173
    2015 118 169
    2016 122 173
    2017 118 173
    2018 122 161
    2019 120 165
    2020 119 165

    Health Problems of American Eskimo Dog versus Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the American Eskimo Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Finnish Lapphund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Eskimo Dog than for the Finnish Lapphund.

    8 health tests are recommended for American Eskimo Dog while 6 tests are recommended for the Finnish Lapphund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Eskimo Dogs and in Finnish Lapphunds.

    American Eskimo Dog Health Problems

    American Eskimo Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Eskimo Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a American Eskimo Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Eskimo Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen American Eskimo Dogs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Eskimo Dogs here.

    Finnish Lapphund Health Problems

    Finnish Lapphunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Finnish Lapphund puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Finnish Lapphund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Finnish Lapphund breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Finnish Lapphunds for:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Finnish Lapphunds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in American Eskimo Dogs and Finnish Lapphunds

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the American Eskimo Dog Breed is Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    This is because the American Eskimo Dog ranks 6 out of 70 dog breeds for Degenerative Myelopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 68 American Eskimo Dogs, 17 of them had Degenerative Myelopathy problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in American Eskimo Dogs, and how common these diseases are in American Eskimo Dogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 6 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 9 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 48 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 122 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 123 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 136 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Finnish Lapphund Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Finnish Lapphund ranks 74 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 160 Finnish Lapphunds, 3 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Finnish Lapphunds, and how common these diseases are in Finnish Lapphunds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 74 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 86 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 90 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 119 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in American Eskimo Dog and in Finnish Lapphund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund:

    Disease American Eskimo Dog Rank Finnish Lapphund Rank
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 6 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 9 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 48 out of 145 dog breeds 74 out of 145 dog breeds
    Hips problems 122 out of 198 dog breeds 119 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 123 out of 144 dog breeds 86 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 136 out of 182 dog breeds 90 out of 182 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Which one drools more, the American Eskimo Dog or the Finnish Lapphund

    American Eskimo Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Eskimo Dog versus Finnish Lapphund

    American Eskimo Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.

    Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Eskimo Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Finnish Lapphunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Eskimo Dog or the Finnish Lapphund?

    American Eskimo Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.

    Does the American Eskimo Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Lapphund?

    American Eskimo Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Finnish Lapphunds 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Eskimo Dog vs. Finnish Lapphund

    American Eskimo Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Eskimo Dog or the Finnish Lapphund?

    American Eskimo Dogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Do American Eskimo Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Lapphunds?

    American Eskimo Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.

    Is the American Eskimo Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Lapphund?

    American Eskimo Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Can American Eskimo Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Eskimo Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Are American Eskimo Dogs good family dogs? What about Finnish Lapphunds?

    American Eskimo Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Finnish Lapphunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Eskimo Dogs and Finnish Lapphunds?

    American Eskimo Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Finnish Lapphunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Eskimo Dog or the Finnish Lapphund?

    American Eskimo Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Do American Eskimo Dogs shed more than Finnish Lapphunds?

    American Eskimo Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.

    Is the American Eskimo Dog Easier to Train than the Finnish Lapphund?

    American Eskimo Dogs are very easy to train.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the American Eskimo Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the American Eskimo Dog 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 American Eskimo Dog:

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Keeshond (82 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Keeshond.
  • West Highland White Terrier (81 percent match with American Eskimo Dog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs West Highland White Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Lapphund

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund:

  • Bearded Collie (80 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the American Eskimo Dog vs Bearded Collie.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the American Eskimo Dog vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Jack Russell Terrier (80 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the American Eskimo Dog vs Jack Russell Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the American Eskimo Dog and how the Finnish Lapphund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the American Eskimo Dog and of the Finnish Lapphund to other breeds:

    American Eskimo Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    American Eskimo Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog     American Eskimo Dog versus Silky Terrier     American Eskimo Dog versus Harrier     American Eskimo Dog versus Peek A Poo     American Eskimo Dog versus Silky Terrier          American Eskimo Dog versus Golden Retriever     American Eskimo Dog versus Silky Terrier     American Eskimo Dog versus Beagle     American Eskimo Dog versus Kooikerhondje     

    Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Lapphund versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Finnish Lapphund versus English Setter     Finnish Lapphund versus Greyhound     Finnish Lapphund versus Valley Bulldog     Finnish Lapphund versus Barbet     Finnish Lapphund versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Finnish Lapphund versus Bedlington Terrier     Finnish Lapphund versus Whoodle     Finnish Lapphund versus Redbone Coonhound     Finnish Lapphund versus Chihuahua     

    Conclusion: American Eskimo Dog versus Finnish Lapphund. 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 American Eskimo Dog and the Finnish Lapphund better suits you and your family.