Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Collie Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
- Collie versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
- Collie versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Finnish Spitz
- The Similarities Between the Collie and the Finnish Spitz
- Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Finnish Spitz
- Temperament of the Finnish Spitz Versus the Collie
- Price of Collie versus Price of Finnish Spitz
- The Intelligence of the Collie versus the Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz
- The Popularity of Collie versus Popularity of Finnish Spitz
- Which one drools more, the Collie or the Finnish Spitz
- Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Finnish Spitz
- Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Finnish Spitz
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Finnish Spitz?
- Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Finnish Spitz?
- Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
- Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
- Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- Are Collies good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- How Kid-friendly are Collies and Finnish Spitzs?
- Do Collies shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Collie
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Collie versus Finnish Spitz. Which One is a Better Pet?
Collie Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie and the Finnish Spitz.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie or the Finnish Spitz
Collie versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
Both the Collie and the Finnish Spitz are similar in size. The Collie and the Finnish Spitz are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Collie 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.
Collie versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Collie 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 | Collie | Finnish Spitz |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder | 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 70 pounds | 20 to 35 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1480 | $900 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | $600 – $1100 |
| Temperament Score | 80.8 percent | 72.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 37 | 179 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 16 | 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 Collie 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 Collie is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Finnish Spitz is 77 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the Finnish Spitz. So, you should get the Collie!
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 Collie 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 Collie and the Finnish Spitz
Below is a list of where the Collie and the Finnish Spitz are most different:
The Similarities Between the Collie and the Finnish Spitz
The Collie and the Finnish Spitz are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Finnish Spitz are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Finnish Spitz
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Finnish Spitz.
Collies weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Collies are 22 to 26 inches all 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 Collie
The Collie has a better temperament than the Finnish Spitz.
This is because the temperament score for the Collie is 80.8 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 80.8 percent, the Collie 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 Collie and the Finnish Spitz by measuring the temperaments of 896 Collies and 11 Finnish Spitzs.
Price of Collie versus Price of Finnish Spitz
The average price of the Collie puppy is $1480. The price of the Collie typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Collie can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 356 Collie 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 Collie is more expensive than the Finnish Spitz.
| Collie | Finnish Spitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1480 | $900 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1800 | $600 to $1100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Finnish Spitz. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Finnish Spitz puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Collies. 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 Collie 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 Collie versus the Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz
| Collie | Finnish Spitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 16 out of 130 dog breeds | 43 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions | 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 Collie has an obedience intelligence rank of 16 out of 130 dog breeds. The Collie belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Collies tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.
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 Collie is more intelligent than the Finnish Spitz.
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 Collie 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 Collie and the Finnish Spitz over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Spitz. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Collie is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Spitz is 179 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Collie
Popularity of Finnish Spitz
| Year | Collie Popularity Rank | Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 35 | 170 |
| 2014 | 36 | 174 |
| 2015 | 36 | 178 |
| 2016 | 37 | 179 |
| 2017 | 40 | 177 |
| 2018 | 38 | 184 |
| 2019 | 38 | 183 |
| 2020 | 40 | 187 |
Which one drools more, the Collie or the Finnish Spitz
Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.
Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Finnish Spitz
Collies 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: Collie versus Finnish Spitz
Collies do not like to be left alone.
Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Finnish Spitz?
Collies 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.
Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Spitz?
Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Finnish Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Finnish Spitz?
Collies are very good for new dog owners.
Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.
Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.
Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Finnish Spitz?
Collies get along very well with other dogs.
Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
Collies are very easy to train.
Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.
Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
Collies 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.
Finnish Spitzs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Finnish Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Are Collies good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Finnish Spitzs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Collies and Finnish Spitzs?
Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Finnish Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Do Collies shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Finnish Spitzs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Collie
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Collie 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 Collie:
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 Collie and how the Finnish Spitz compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Collie and of the Finnish Spitz to other breeds:
Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds
Collie versus Pekingese Collie versus Icelandic Sheepdog Collie versus Papipoo Collie versus Peek A Poo Collie versus Norfolk Terrier Collie versus French Spaniel Collie versus Labradoodle Collie versus Cavachon Collie versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Collie versus Korean Jindo Dog
Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Spitz versus Braque du Bourbonnais Finnish Spitz versus Bullmastiff Finnish Spitz versus Beaglier Finnish Spitz versus Maltipoo Finnish Spitz versus Basset Hound Finnish Spitz versus Shiranian Finnish Spitz versus Irish Wolfhound Finnish Spitz versus Valley Bulldog Finnish Spitz versus English Toy Spaniel Finnish Spitz versus Braque du Bourbonnais
Conclusion: Collie 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 Collie and the Finnish Spitz better suits you and your family.