Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Australian Shepherd Versus Finnish Lapphund: Introduction
- Australian Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund: Overview
- Australian Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund
- The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund
- Size (Weight and Height) of Australian Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund
- Temperament of the Australian Shepherd Versus the Finnish Lapphund
- The Popularity of Australian Shepherd versus Popularity of Finnish Lapphund
- Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund
- Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Finnish Lapphund
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Finnish Lapphund?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund
- Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Finnish Lapphunds?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Finnish Lapphunds?
- Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Lapphund?
- Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Lapphunds?
- Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Finnish Lapphunds?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Finnish Lapphund?
- Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Finnish Lapphund?
- Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Finnish Lapphund
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Australian Shepherd
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Lapphund
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund. Which One is a Better Pet?
Australian Shepherd Versus Finnish Lapphund: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd or the Finnish Lapphund
Australian Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund: Overview
Both the Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund are similar in size. The Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund are Herding Dogs. This means both the Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund 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.
Australian Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Australian Shepherd 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 | Australian Shepherd | Finnish Lapphund |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 65 pounds | 33 to 53 pounds |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1180 | No Data |
| Price Range | $800 – $1500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 82.2 percent | 62.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 16 | 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Finnish Lapphund is 84 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Finnish Lapphund is a better pet than the Australian Shepherd. So, you should get the Finnish Lapphund!
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 Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund
Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund are most different:
The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund
The Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Australian Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund.
Australian Shepherds weigh 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Australian Shepherds are 18 to 23 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 Australian Shepherd Versus the Finnish Lapphund
The Australian Shepherd has a better temperament than the Finnish Lapphund.
This is because the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 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 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 8 Finnish Lapphunds.
The Popularity of Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Lapphund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 16 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Lapphund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Australian Shepherd
Popularity of Finnish Lapphund
| Year | Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank | Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 20 | 171 |
| 2014 | 18 | 173 |
| 2015 | 17 | 169 |
| 2016 | 16 | 173 |
| 2017 | 17 | 173 |
| 2018 | 15 | 161 |
| 2019 | 13 | 165 |
| 2020 | 12 | 165 |
Health Problems of Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Finnish Lapphund.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the Finnish Lapphund.
7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 6 tests are recommended for the Finnish Lapphund.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Finnish Lapphunds.
Australian Shepherd Health Problems
Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Finnish Lapphunds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Australian Shepherds 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 Australian Shepherd Breed is Cataracts problems.
This is because the Australian Shepherd ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Cataracts problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 107 Australian Shepherds, 2 of them had Cataracts problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Australian Shepherds, and how common these diseases are in Australian Shepherds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
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:
The table below lists the common health problems in Australian Shepherd and in Finnish Lapphund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund:
| Disease | Australian Shepherd Rank | Finnish Lapphund Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Cataracts problems | 1 out of 5 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems | 2 out of 7 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | 7 out of 32 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 12 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Shoulder problems | 19 out of 22 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 28 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 60 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 66 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 77 out of 144 dog breeds | 86 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 103 out of 145 dog breeds | 74 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 133 out of 182 dog breeds | 90 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 150 out of 198 dog breeds | 119 out of 198 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.
Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Lapphund?
Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.
Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.
Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Finnish Lapphund
Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Finnish Lapphund?
Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Finnish Lapphund?
Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.
Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund
Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.
Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.
Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Finnish Lapphunds?
Australian Shepherds shed moderately.
Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.
Finnish Lapphunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Finnish Lapphunds?
Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Finnish Lapphunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Lapphund?
Australian Shepherds 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.
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.
Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Lapphunds?
Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.
Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Finnish Lapphunds?
Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Finnish Lapphunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Finnish Lapphund?
Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.
Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Finnish Lapphund?
Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.
Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.
Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Finnish Lapphund
Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Finnish Lapphunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Australian Shepherd
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd and how the Finnish Lapphund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Australian Shepherd and of the Finnish Lapphund to other breeds:
Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds
Australian Shepherd versus Beagle Australian Shepherd versus Shih Tzu Australian Shepherd versus Bearded Collie Australian Shepherd versus Airedale Terrier Australian Shepherd versus Clumber Spaniel Australian Shepherd versus Catahoula Bulldog Australian Shepherd versus Cockapoo Australian Shepherd versus Sloughi Australian Shepherd versus Pomchi Australian Shepherd versus Shihpoo
Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Lapphund versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Finnish Lapphund versus Dogo Argentino Finnish Lapphund versus Bordoodle Finnish Lapphund versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Finnish Lapphund versus Barbet Finnish Lapphund versus Estrela Mountain Dog Finnish Lapphund versus Newfoundland Finnish Lapphund versus Irish Terrier Finnish Lapphund versus Schnoodle Finnish Lapphund versus American Staffordshire Terrier
Conclusion: Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Finnish Lapphund better suits you and your family.