Which is Better between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund? A Very Detailed Review.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Finnish Lapphund

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Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Finnish Lapphund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Finnish Lapphund

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Finnish Lapphund

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Finnish Lapphund: Overview

A very important difference between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Finnish Lapphund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog Finnish Lapphund
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Height 24 to 34 inches 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Weight 80 to 220 pounds 33 to 53 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2110 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2500 No Data
Temperament Score 85.0 percent 62.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • *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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog. 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund

    Below is a list of where the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are most different:

  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Finnish Lapphunds are good for new dog owners.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Finnish Lapphunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs. However, Finnish Lapphunds get along well with other dogs.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train. However, Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time. However, Finnish Lapphunds have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Finnish Lapphunds do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund

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

  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund can tolerate cold weather.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Finnish Lapphund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs weigh 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are 24 to 34 inches 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 Finnish Lapphund Versus the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog has a better temperament than the Finnish Lapphund.

    This is because the temperament score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 85.0 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 85.0 percent, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog has an above-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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund by measuring the temperaments of 20 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and 8 Finnish Lapphunds.

    Health Problems of Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Finnish Lapphund.

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

    7 health tests are recommended for Caucasian Shepherd Dog while 6 tests are recommended for the Finnish Lapphund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and in Finnish Lapphunds.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health Problems

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Caucasian Shepherd 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.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Finnish Lapphund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Lapphund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and Finnish Lapphunds?

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

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Finnish Lapphund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Finnish Lapphund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the Finnish Lapphund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs. Finnish Lapphund

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

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Finnish Lapphund

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.

    Does the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Lapphund?

    Caucasian Shepherd 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.

    Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Lapphunds?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.

    Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about Finnish Lapphunds?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed more than Finnish Lapphunds?

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

    Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Finnish Lapphund

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

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

  • Afador (76 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Afador.
  • Akbash (73 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Akbash.
  • Mastiff (72 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Mastiff.
  • Boerboel (71 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Boerboel.
  • 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:

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

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

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Belgian Sheepdog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Norwich Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Cairn Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Canaan Dog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Standard Schnauzer     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Silky Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Pharaoh Hound     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Silky Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Dogo Argentino     

    Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Lapphund versus Italian Greyhound     Finnish Lapphund versus Maltipoo     Finnish Lapphund versus Boykin Spaniel     Finnish Lapphund versus Yorkipoo     Finnish Lapphund versus Irish Wolfhound     Finnish Lapphund versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Finnish Lapphund versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Finnish Lapphund versus Miniature Poodle     Finnish Lapphund versus Norfolk Terrier     Finnish Lapphund versus Rottweiler     

    Conclusion: Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Lapphund better suits you and your family.