Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Cairn Terrier Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
- Cairn Terrier versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
- Cairn Terrier versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz
- The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz
- Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Finnish Spitz
- Temperament of the Cairn Terrier Versus the Finnish Spitz
- Price of Cairn Terrier versus Price of Finnish Spitz
- The Intelligence of the Cairn Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz
- The Popularity of Cairn Terrier versus Popularity of Finnish Spitz
- Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus Finnish Spitz
- Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Finnish Spitz
- Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
- Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
- Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Finnish Spitz
- Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cairn Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
- Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
- Do Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- How Kid-friendly are Cairn Terriers and Finnish Spitzs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Cairn Terrier versus Finnish Spitz. Which One is a Better Pet?
Cairn Terrier Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz? 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 Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz 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 Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz 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 Cairn Terrier and for the Finnish Spitz. 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 Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Cairn Terrier or the Finnish Spitz
Cairn Terrier versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
A very important difference between the Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cairn Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Cairn 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 Finnish Spitz belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
Cairn Terrier versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Cairn Terrier to the Finnish Spitz 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 | Cairn Terrier | Finnish Spitz |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Weight | 13 to 14 pounds | 20 to 35 pounds |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder | 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1600 | $900 |
| Price Range | $1475 – $1750 | $600 – $1100 |
| Temperament Score | 75.5 percent | 72.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 69 | 179 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 35 | 43 |
*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 Cairn 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 Finnish Spitz. 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 Cairn Terrier is 86 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Finnish Spitz is 77 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cairn Terrier is a better pet than the Finnish Spitz. So, you should get the Cairn Terrier!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz
Below is a list of where the Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz are most different:
The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz
The Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Finnish Spitz
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz.
Cairn Terriers weigh 13 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Cairn Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Finnish Spitzs weigh 20 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Finnish Spitzs are 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Cairn Terrier Versus the Finnish Spitz
The Cairn Terrier has a better temperament than the Finnish Spitz.
This is because the temperament score for the Cairn Terrier is 75.5 percent while the temperament score for the Finnish Spitz is 72.7 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 75.5 percent, the Cairn Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 72.7 percent, the Finnish Spitz has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz by measuring the temperaments of 53 Cairn Terriers and 11 Finnish Spitzs.
Price of Cairn Terrier versus Price of Finnish Spitz
The average price of the Cairn Terrier puppy is $1600. The price of the Cairn Terrier typically ranges from $1475 – $1750. However, the price of a Cairn Terrier can be as low as $650 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 132 Cairn Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Finnish Spitz puppy is $900. The price of the Finnish Spitz typically ranges from $600 – $1100. However, the price of a Finnish Spitz can be as low as $500 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 3 Finnish Spitz puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Cairn Terrier is more expensive than the Finnish Spitz.
| Cairn Terrier | Finnish Spitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1600 | $900 |
| Price Range | $1475 to $1750 | $600 to $1100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Cairn Terrier and Finnish Spitz. For different price points, the charts show how many Cairn Terrier puppies or how many Finnish Spitz puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Cairn Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Finnish Spitzs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Cairn Terrier puppy or the Finnish Spitz 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
The Intelligence of the Cairn Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz
| Cairn Terrier | Finnish Spitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 35 out of 130 dog breeds | 43 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Cairn Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cairn Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Cairn Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Finnish Spitz has an obedience intelligence rank of 43 out of 130 dog breeds. The Finnish Spitz belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Finnish Spitzs tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Cairn Terrier is more intelligent than the Finnish Spitz.
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 Cairn Terrier versus Popularity of Finnish Spitz
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 Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cairn Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Spitz. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cairn Terrier is 69 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Spitz is 179 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Cairn Terrier
Popularity of Finnish Spitz
| Year | Cairn Terrier Popularity Rank | Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 61 | 170 |
| 2014 | 69 | 174 |
| 2015 | 70 | 178 |
| 2016 | 70 | 179 |
| 2017 | 69 | 177 |
| 2018 | 69 | 184 |
| 2019 | 72 | 183 |
| 2020 | 73 | 187 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Cairn Terrier versus Finnish Spitz
Cairn Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Finnish Spitz
Cairn Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
Cairn Terriers are not easy to train.
Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.
Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
Cairn Terriers shed moderately.
Finnish Spitzs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Finnish Spitz
Cairn Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Finnish Spitzs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cairn Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
Cairn Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.
Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Cairn Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Cairn Terriers can tolerate hot weather.
Finnish Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cairn Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
Cairn Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
Cairn 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.
Finnish Spitzs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Cairn Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Finnish Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Is the Cairn Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Spitz?
Cairn Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Cairn Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Finnish Spitzs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Cairn Terriers and Finnish Spitzs?
Cairn Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Finnish Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
Cairn Terriers are very easy to groom.
Finnish Spitzs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cairn 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 Cairn Terrier:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Finnish Spitz 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 Spitz:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Cairn Terrier and how the Finnish Spitz compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cairn Terrier and of the Finnish Spitz to other breeds:
Cairn Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Cairn Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel Cairn Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel Cairn Terrier versus Akbash Cairn Terrier versus Great Dane Cairn Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound Cairn Terrier versus Standard Poodle Cairn Terrier versus Kooikerhondje Cairn Terrier versus Patterdale Terrier Cairn Terrier versus Chinese Shar-Pei Cairn Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever
Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Spitz versus Doberman Pinscher Finnish Spitz versus Brittany Finnish Spitz versus Fila Brasileiro Finnish Spitz versus Samoyed Finnish Spitz versus Beagle Finnish Spitz versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Finnish Spitz versus Pyredoodle Finnish Spitz versus German Longhaired Pointer Finnish Spitz versus Dachshund Finnish Spitz versus Irish Water Spaniel
Conclusion: Cairn Terrier versus Finnish Spitz. 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 Cairn Terrier and the Finnish Spitz better suits you and your family.