A Detailed Comparison of the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz.

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Canaan Dog Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog or the Finnish Spitz

Canaan Dog versus Finnish Spitz: Overview

Both the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz are similar in size. The Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Canaan Dog 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.

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.

Canaan Dog versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog Finnish Spitz
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Height 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Weight 35 to 55 pounds 20 to 35 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $600 $900
Price Range $600 – $600 $600 – $1100
Temperament Score 62.5 percent 72.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 176 179

    *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 Canaan 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 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 Canaan Dog is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Finnish Spitz is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Canaan Dog is a better pet than the Finnish Spitz. So, you should get the Canaan 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 Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz

    Below is a list of where the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz are most different:

  • Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Finnish Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Canaan Dogs are very easy to groom. However, Finnish Spitzs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz

    The Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz are most similar:

  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz 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 Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz are very playful.
  • Both the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Canaan Dog versus Finnish Spitz

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz.

    Canaan Dogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Canaan Dogs are 19 to 24 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 Finnish Spitz Versus the Canaan Dog

    The Finnish Spitz has a better temperament than the Canaan Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Finnish Spitz is 72.7 percent while the temperament score for the Canaan Dog 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 62.5 percent, the Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz by measuring the temperaments of 8 Canaan Dogs and 11 Finnish Spitzs.

    Price of Canaan Dog versus Price of Finnish Spitz

    The average price of the Canaan Dog puppy is $600. The price of the Canaan Dog typically ranges from $600 – $600. However, the price of a Canaan Dog can be as low as $600 and as high as $600. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1 Canaan Dog 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 Finnish Spitz is more expensive than the Canaan Dog.

    Canaan Dog Finnish Spitz
    Average Price $600 $900
    Price Range $600 to $600 $600 to $1100

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Canaan Dog and Finnish Spitz. For different price points, the charts show how many Canaan Dog puppies or how many Finnish Spitz puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Canaan Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Canaan Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Finnish Spitzs

    A breakdown of the prices of Finnish Spitzs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Canaan Dog 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 Popularity of Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Canaan Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Spitz. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Canaan Dog is 176 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Spitz is 179 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Canaan Dog

    Popularity of Canaan Dog

    Popularity of Finnish Spitz

    Popularity of Finnish Spitz

    Year Canaan Dog Popularity Rank Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank
    2013 164 170
    2014 176 174
    2015 170 178
    2016 181 179
    2017 175 177
    2018 179 184
    2019 179 183
    2020 184 187

    Which one drools more, the Canaan Dog or the Finnish Spitz

    Canaan Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Canaan Dog or the Finnish Spitz?

    Canaan Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.

    How Kid-friendly are Canaan Dogs and Finnish Spitzs?

    Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Canaan Dog vs. Finnish Spitz

    Canaan Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Canaan Dog versus Finnish Spitz

    Canaan Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.

    Can Canaan Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Canaan Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Canaan Dog or the Finnish Spitz?

    Canaan Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.

    Does the Canaan Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?

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

    Finnish Spitzs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Canaan Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?

    Canaan Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Finnish Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Is the Canaan Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Spitz?

    Canaan Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Are Canaan Dogs good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?

    Canaan Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Do Canaan Dogs shed more than Finnish Spitzs?

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

    Finnish Spitzs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Can Canaan Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Canaan Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Finnish Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Canaan Dog or the Finnish Spitz?

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Finnish Spitzs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Is the Canaan Dog Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to train.

    Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Canaan Dog

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

  • Dutch Shepherd (78 percent match with Canaan Dog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • 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:

  • Bearded Collie (78 percent match with Finnish Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Canaan Dog vs Bearded Collie.
  • West Highland White Terrier (79 percent match with Finnish Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Canaan Dog vs West Highland White Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Canaan Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Canaan Dog versus Lowchen     Canaan Dog versus Japanese Chin     Canaan Dog versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Canaan Dog versus Akita Chow     Canaan Dog versus Bull Terrier     Canaan Dog versus Bolognese     Canaan Dog versus Redbone Coonhound     Canaan Dog versus Redbone Coonhound     Canaan Dog versus Aussiedoodle     Canaan Dog versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     

    Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Spitz versus King Shepherd     Finnish Spitz versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Finnish Spitz versus Carolina Dog     Finnish Spitz versus Lhasapoo     Finnish Spitz versus Boston Terrier     Finnish Spitz versus Standard Schnauzer     Finnish Spitz versus Plott     Finnish Spitz versus Gordon Setter     Finnish Spitz versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Finnish Spitz versus Valley Bulldog     

    Conclusion: Canaan Dog 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 Canaan Dog and the Finnish Spitz better suits you and your family.