Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Chow Chow Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
- Chow Chow versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
- Chow Chow versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chow Chow and the Finnish Spitz
- The Similarities Between the Chow Chow and the Finnish Spitz
- Size (Weight and Height) of Chow Chow versus Finnish Spitz
- Temperament of the Finnish Spitz Versus the Chow Chow
- Price of Chow Chow versus Price of Finnish Spitz
- The Intelligence of the Chow Chow versus the Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz
- The Popularity of Chow Chow versus Popularity of Finnish Spitz
- How Kid-friendly are Chow Chows and Finnish Spitzs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chow Chow or the Finnish Spitz?
- Do Chow Chows shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Chow Chow or the Finnish Spitz?
- Do Chow Chows Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Chow Chows good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- Is the Chow Chow Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
- Does the Chow Chow Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
- Wanderlust Potential: Chow Chow vs. Finnish Spitz
- Which one drools more, the Chow Chow or the Finnish Spitz
- Tolerates Being Alone: Chow Chow versus Finnish Spitz
- Can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chow Chow
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Chow Chow versus Finnish Spitz. Which One is a Better Pet?
Chow Chow Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Finnish Spitz.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow or the Finnish Spitz
Chow Chow versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
A very important difference between the Chow Chow and the Finnish Spitz is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chow Chow is a large-sized dog while the Finnish Spitz 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 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.
Chow Chow versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Chow Chow 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 | Chow Chow | Finnish Spitz |
|---|---|---|
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| 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 | 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 40 to 70 pounds | 20 to 35 pounds |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1750 | $900 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2500 | $600 – $1100 |
| Temperament Score | 71.7 percent | 72.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 74 | 179 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 76 | 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 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 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 Chow Chow is 69 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 Chow Chow. 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Finnish Spitz
Below is a list of where the Chow Chow and the Finnish Spitz are most different:
The Similarities Between the Chow Chow and the Finnish Spitz
The Chow Chow and the Finnish Spitz are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chow Chow and the Finnish Spitz are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Chow Chow versus Finnish Spitz
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chow Chow and the Finnish Spitz.
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 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 Chow Chow
The Finnish Spitz has a better temperament than the Chow Chow.
This is because the temperament score for the Finnish Spitz is 72.7 percent while the temperament score for the Chow Chow is 71.7 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 71.7 percent, the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Finnish Spitz by measuring the temperaments of 99 Chow Chows and 11 Finnish Spitzs.
Price of Chow Chow versus Price of Finnish Spitz
The average price of the Chow Chow puppy is $1750. The price of the Chow Chow typically ranges from $1000 – $2500. However, the price of a Chow Chow can be as low as $400 and as high as $4125. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 156 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow is more expensive than the Finnish Spitz.
| Chow Chow | Finnish Spitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1750 | $900 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2500 | $600 to $1100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Chow Chow and Finnish Spitz. For different price points, the charts show how many Chow Chow puppies or how many Finnish Spitz puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Chow Chows. 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow versus the Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz
| Chow Chow | Finnish Spitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 76 out of 130 dog breeds | 43 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | 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 Chow Chow has an obedience intelligence rank of 76 out of 130 dog breeds. The Chow Chow belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Chow Chows tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
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 Finnish Spitz is more intelligent than the Chow Chow.
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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Finnish Spitz over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Chow Chow is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Spitz. 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 Spitz is 179 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Chow Chow
Popularity of Finnish Spitz
| Year | Chow Chow Popularity Rank | Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 70 | 170 |
| 2014 | 70 | 174 |
| 2015 | 73 | 178 |
| 2016 | 74 | 179 |
| 2017 | 76 | 177 |
| 2018 | 75 | 184 |
| 2019 | 77 | 183 |
| 2020 | 84 | 187 |
How Kid-friendly are Chow Chows and Finnish Spitzs?
Chow Chows do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Finnish Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chow Chow or the Finnish Spitz?
Chow Chows do not get along well with other dogs.
Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
Do Chow Chows shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
Chow Chows do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Finnish Spitzs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Chow Chow or the Finnish Spitz?
Chow Chows require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Finnish Spitzs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Do Chow Chows Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Chow Chows are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Finnish Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chow Chow or the Finnish Spitz?
Chow Chows are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.
Can Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Chow Chows 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.
Are Chow Chows good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Chow Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.
Finnish Spitzs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Chow Chow Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
Chow Chows are not easy to train.
Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.
Does the Chow Chow Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
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 Spitzs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Wanderlust Potential: Chow Chow vs. Finnish Spitz
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 Spitzs 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 Spitz?
Chow Chows adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which one drools more, the Chow Chow or the Finnish Spitz
Chow Chows drool moderately.
Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Chow Chow versus Finnish Spitz
Chow Chows can be left alone for some time without problems.
Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
Can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Chow Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.
Finnish Spitzs 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 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 Chow Chow and how the Finnish Spitz compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chow Chow and of the Finnish Spitz to other breeds:
Chow Chow Versus Other Dog Breeds
Chow Chow versus Mountain Cur Chow Chow versus Bearded Collie Chow Chow versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Chow Chow versus Bernedoodle Chow Chow versus Shiloh Shepherd Chow Chow versus Xoloitzcuintli Chow Chow versus Norwegian Lundehund Chow Chow versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Chow Chow versus Yorkipoo Chow Chow versus German Shepherd Dog
Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Spitz versus Great Pyrenees Finnish Spitz versus Puggle Finnish Spitz versus Basset Hound Finnish Spitz versus American Water Spaniel Finnish Spitz versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Finnish Spitz versus Miniature Pinscher Finnish Spitz versus Manchester Terrier Finnish Spitz versus Field Spaniel Finnish Spitz versus Chihuahua Finnish Spitz versus Redbone Coonhound
Conclusion: Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Finnish Spitz better suits you and your family.