Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chow Chow Versus Finnish Lapphund: Introduction
- Chow Chow versus Finnish Lapphund: Overview
- Chow Chow versus Finnish Lapphund: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chow Chow and the Finnish Lapphund
- The Similarities Between the Chow Chow and the Finnish Lapphund
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chow Chow versus Finnish Lapphund
- Temperament of the Chow Chow Versus the Finnish Lapphund
- The Popularity of Chow Chow versus Popularity of Finnish Lapphund
- Health Problems of Chow Chow versus Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund
- How Kid-friendly are Chow Chows and Finnish Lapphunds?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chow Chow or the Finnish Lapphund?
- Do Chow Chows shed more than Finnish Lapphunds?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chow Chow or the Finnish Lapphund?
- Do Chow Chows Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Lapphunds?
- Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Chow Chows good family dogs? What about Finnish Lapphunds?
- Is the Chow Chow Easier to Train than the Finnish Lapphund?
- Does the Chow Chow Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Lapphund?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chow Chow vs. Finnish Lapphund
- Which one drools more, the Chow Chow or the Finnish Lapphund
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chow Chow versus Finnish Lapphund
- Can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chow Chow
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Lapphund
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Chow Chow versus Finnish Lapphund. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chow Chow Versus Finnish Lapphund: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Finnish Lapphund.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow or the Finnish Lapphund
Chow Chow versus Finnish Lapphund: Overview
A very important difference between the Chow Chow and the Finnish Lapphund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chow Chow is a large-sized dog while the Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Chow Chow 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.
Chow Chow versus Finnish Lapphund: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chow Chow 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 | Chow Chow | Finnish Lapphund |
|---|---|---|
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 70 pounds | 33 to 53 pounds |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1750 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2500 | No Data |
| Temperament Score | 71.7 percent | 62.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 74 | 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow. 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Finnish Lapphund
Below is a list of where the Chow Chow and the Finnish Lapphund are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chow Chow and the Finnish Lapphund
The Chow Chow and the Finnish Lapphund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chow Chow and the Finnish Lapphund are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chow Chow versus Finnish Lapphund
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chow Chow and the Finnish Lapphund.
Chow Chows weigh 40 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chow Chows are 17 to 20 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 Chow Chow Versus the Finnish Lapphund
The Chow Chow has a better temperament than the Finnish Lapphund.
This is because the temperament score for the Chow Chow is 71.7 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 71.7 percent, the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Finnish Lapphund by measuring the temperaments of 99 Chow Chows and 8 Finnish Lapphunds.
The Popularity of Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Finnish Lapphund over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chow Chow is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Lapphund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Chow Chow is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Lapphund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chow Chow
Popularity of Finnish Lapphund
| Year | Chow Chow Popularity Rank | Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 70 | 171 |
| 2014 | 70 | 173 |
| 2015 | 73 | 169 |
| 2016 | 74 | 173 |
| 2017 | 76 | 173 |
| 2018 | 75 | 161 |
| 2019 | 77 | 165 |
| 2020 | 84 | 165 |
Health Problems of Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Finnish Lapphund is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Chow Chow.
6 health tests are recommended for Chow Chow while 6 tests are recommended for the Finnish Lapphund.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chow Chows and in Finnish Lapphunds.
Chow Chow Health Problems
Chow Chows are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chow Chow 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 Chow Chows for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chow Chows 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 Chow Chows 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 Chow Chow Breed is Elbow problems.
This is because the Chow Chow ranks 1 out of 144 dog breeds for Elbow problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1393 Chow Chows, 693 of them had Elbow problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chow Chows, and how common these diseases are in Chow Chows 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 Chow Chow and in Finnish Lapphund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chow Chow and the Finnish Lapphund:
| Disease | Chow Chow Rank | Finnish Lapphund Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Elbow problems | 1 out of 144 dog breeds | 86 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 3 out of 182 dog breeds | 90 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 15 out of 145 dog breeds | 74 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 36 out of 198 dog breeds | 119 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 88 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
*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.
How Kid-friendly are Chow Chows and Finnish Lapphunds?
Chow Chows 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 Chow Chow or the Finnish Lapphund?
Chow Chows do not get along well with other dogs.
Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.
Do Chow Chows shed more than Finnish Lapphunds?
Chow Chows do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chow Chow or the Finnish Lapphund?
Chow Chows require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.
Do Chow Chows Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Lapphunds?
Chow Chows are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chow Chow or the Finnish Lapphund?
Chow Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.
Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chow Chows cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Finnish Lapphunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Are Chow Chows good family dogs? What about Finnish Lapphunds?
Chow Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.
Finnish Lapphunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chow Chow Easier to Train than the Finnish Lapphund?
Chow Chows are not easy to train.
Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.
Does the Chow Chow Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Lapphund?
Chow Chows 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 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.
Wanderlust Potential: Chow Chow vs. Finnish Lapphund
Chow Chows 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.
Is the Chow Chow Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Lapphund?
Chow Chows adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.
Which one drools more, the Chow Chow or the Finnish Lapphund
Chow Chows drool moderately.
Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Chow Chow versus Finnish Lapphund
Chow Chows can be left alone for some time without problems.
Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.
Can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chow Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.
Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chow Chow
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow:
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 Chow Chow and how the Finnish Lapphund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chow Chow and of the Finnish Lapphund to other breeds:
Chow Chow Versus Other Dog Breeds
Chow Chow versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Chow Chow versus Pyrenean Mastiff Chow Chow versus Westiepoo Chow Chow versus Kerry Blue Terrier Chow Chow versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Chow Chow versus American Pit Bull Terrier Chow Chow versus Bearded Collie Chow Chow versus Biewer Terrier Chow Chow versus Lancashire Heeler Chow Chow versus German Longhaired Pointer
Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Lapphund versus English Setter Finnish Lapphund versus Shiba Inu Finnish Lapphund versus Pomchi Finnish Lapphund versus Greyhound Finnish Lapphund versus Schnoodle Finnish Lapphund versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Finnish Lapphund versus German Longhaired Pointer Finnish Lapphund versus Brittany Finnish Lapphund versus Affenhuahua Finnish Lapphund versus French Spaniel
Conclusion: Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Finnish Lapphund better suits you and your family.