A Detailed Comparison of the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Central Asian Shepherd Dog Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Central Asian Shepherd 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 Central Asian Shepherd 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 Central Asian Shepherd 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 Central Asian Shepherd Dog or the Finnish Spitz

Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus Finnish Spitz: Overview

A very important difference between the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Central Asian Shepherd Dog is a large-sized dog while the Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Central Asian 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 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.

Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Central Asian Shepherd 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 Central Asian Shepherd Dog Finnish Spitz
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 2/5 5/5
Height 24 to 28 inches 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Affectionate With Family 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 88 to 110 pounds 20 to 35 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $3490 $900
Price Range $2500 – $2700 $600 – $1100
Temperament Score 91.7 percent 72.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data

*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 Central Asian 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 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 Central Asian Shepherd Dog is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Finnish Spitz is 77 out of 125.

Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Finnish Spitz is a better pet than the Central Asian Shepherd Dog. So, you should get the Finnish Spitz!

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 Central Asian Shepherd 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 Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz

Below is a list of where the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz are most different:

  • Central Asian Shepherd Dogs not very playful. However, Finnish Spitzs are very playful.
  • Central Asian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Finnish Spitzs do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Central Asian Shepherd 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 Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz

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

  • Both the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz are not easy to train.
  • Both the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Central Asian Shepherd 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 Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus Finnish Spitz

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz.

    Central Asian Shepherd Dogs weigh 88 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Central Asian Shepherd Dogs are 24 to 28 inches 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 Central Asian Shepherd Dog Versus the Finnish Spitz

    The Central Asian Shepherd Dog has a better temperament than the Finnish Spitz.

    This is because the temperament score for the Central Asian Shepherd Dog is 91.7 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 91.7 percent, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog has an above-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 Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz by measuring the temperaments of 24 Central Asian Shepherd Dogs and 11 Finnish Spitzs.

    Price of Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus Price of Finnish Spitz

    The average price of the Central Asian Shepherd Dog puppy is $3490. The price of the Central Asian Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $2500 – $2700. However, the price of a Central Asian Shepherd Dog can be as low as $1000 and as high as $25000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 21 Central Asian Shepherd 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 Central Asian Shepherd Dog is more expensive than the Finnish Spitz.

    Central Asian Shepherd Dog Finnish Spitz
    Average Price $3490 $900
    Price Range $2500 to $2700 $600 to $1100

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Central Asian Shepherd Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Central Asian Shepherd 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 Central Asian Shepherd 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.

    Is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Spitz?

    Central Asian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog or the Finnish Spitz?

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

    Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.

    Does the Central Asian Shepherd Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?

    Central Asian Shepherd Dogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus Finnish Spitz

    Central Asian Shepherd Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.

    Can Central Asian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

    Is the Central Asian Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?

    Central Asian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.

    Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Central Asian Shepherd Dog vs. Finnish Spitz

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

    Are Central Asian Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?

    Central Asian Shepherd Dogs are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Central Asian Shepherd Dogs and Finnish Spitzs?

    Central Asian Shepherd Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Do Central Asian Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?

    Central Asian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog or the Finnish Spitz?

    Central Asian Shepherd Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Central Asian Shepherd Dogs shed more than Finnish Spitzs?

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

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

    Can Central Asian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Central Asian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Which one drools more, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog or the Finnish Spitz

    Central Asian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Central Asian Shepherd Dog or the Finnish Spitz?

    Central Asian Shepherd Dogs 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 Central Asian Shepherd Dog

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

  • Kuvasz (71 percent match with Central Asian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Kuvasz.
  • Maremma Sheepdog (75 percent match with Central Asian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Maremma Sheepdog.
  • Pyrenean Mastiff (74 percent match with Central Asian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Pyrenean Mastiff.
  • Boerboel (70 percent match with Central Asian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Boerboel.
  • 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 Central Asian Shepherd Dog vs Bearded Collie.
  • West Highland White Terrier (79 percent match with Finnish Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Central Asian Shepherd Dog vs West Highland White Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Central Asian Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus Fila Brasileiro     Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus Norfolk Terrier     Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus Bedlington Terrier     Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus Great Dane     Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus French Spaniel     Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus Pug     Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus Pomchi     Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Central Asian Shepherd Dog versus German Shepherd Dog     

    Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Spitz versus Cockalier     Finnish Spitz versus Basset Hound     Finnish Spitz versus Cane Corso     Finnish Spitz versus Tibetan Spaniel     Finnish Spitz versus Irish Terrier     Finnish Spitz versus Biewer Terrier     Finnish Spitz versus Cairn Terrier     Finnish Spitz versus Canaan Dog     Finnish Spitz versus Saluki     Finnish Spitz versus Dogue de Bordeaux     

    Conclusion: Central Asian Shepherd 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 Central Asian Shepherd Dog and the Finnish Spitz better suits you and your family.