Dogo Argentino versus Finnish Lapphund. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

Dogo Argentino versus Finnish Lapphund

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Dogo Argentino Versus Finnish Lapphund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino or the Finnish Lapphund

Dogo Argentino versus Finnish Lapphund

Dogo Argentino versus Finnish Lapphund: Overview

A very important difference between the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dogo Argentino is a large-sized dog while the Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Dogo Argentino 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.

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.

Dogo Argentino versus Finnish Lapphund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino Finnish Lapphund
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Height 23 to 27 inches 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Weight 80 to 100 pounds 33 to 53 pounds
Life Span 9 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2510 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2500 No Data
Temperament Score 89.5 percent 62.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 93 168

    *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 Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino is 67 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 Dogo Argentino. 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 Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund

    Below is a list of where the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund are most different:

  • Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Finnish Lapphunds adapt well to apartment living.
  • Dogo Argentinos are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Finnish Lapphunds are good for new dog owners.
  • Dogo Argentinos cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Finnish Lapphunds can tolerate cold weather.
  • Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Finnish Lapphunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with other dogs. However, Finnish Lapphunds get along well with other dogs.
  • Dogo Argentinos are not easy to train. However, Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund

    The Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund are most similar:

  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dogo Argentino versus Finnish Lapphund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund.

    Dogo Argentinos weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Dogo Argentinos are 23 to 27 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 Dogo Argentino

    The Dogo Argentino has a better temperament than the Finnish Lapphund.

    This is because the temperament score for the Dogo Argentino is 89.5 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 89.5 percent, the Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund by measuring the temperaments of 19 Dogo Argentinos and 8 Finnish Lapphunds.

    The Popularity of Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dogo Argentino is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Lapphund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dogo Argentino is 93 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Lapphund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Year Dogo Argentino Popularity Rank Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank
    2020 93.0 165
    2013 no data 171
    2014 no data 173
    2015 no data 169
    2016 no data 173
    2017 no data 173
    2018 no data 161
    2019 no data 165

    Health Problems of Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino 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 more genetic health problems than the Dogo Argentino.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Finnish Lapphund than for the Dogo Argentino.

    3 health tests are recommended for Dogo Argentino while 6 tests are recommended for the Finnish Lapphund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dogo Argentinos and in Finnish Lapphunds.

    Dogo Argentino Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dogo Argentinos 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.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Dogo Argentinos 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 Dogo Argentino Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.

    This is because the Dogo Argentino ranks 3 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 105 Dogo Argentinos, 3 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dogo Argentinos, and how common these diseases are in Dogo Argentinos relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 3 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 16 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 85 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • 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:

  • Patella problems: Rank 74 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 86 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 90 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 119 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Dogo Argentino and in Finnish Lapphund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund:

    Disease Dogo Argentino Rank Finnish Lapphund Rank
    Baer Hearing Test problems 3 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 16 out of 198 dog breeds 119 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 85 out of 144 dog breeds 86 out of 144 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 74 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 90 out of 182 dog breeds

    *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.

    Is the Dogo Argentino Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Lapphund?

    Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dogo Argentino or the Finnish Lapphund?

    Dogo Argentinos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Do Dogo Argentinos shed more than Finnish Lapphunds?

    Dogo Argentinos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dogo Argentino versus Finnish Lapphund

    Dogo Argentinos do not like to be left alone.

    Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.

    Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dogo Argentinos cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are Dogo Argentinos and Finnish Lapphunds?

    Dogo Argentinos 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 Dogo Argentino or the Finnish Lapphund?

    Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with other dogs.

    Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Dogo Argentino Easier to Train than the Finnish Lapphund?

    Dogo Argentinos are not easy to train.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.

    Do Dogo Argentinos Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Lapphunds?

    Dogo Argentinos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.

    Which one drools more, the Dogo Argentino or the Finnish Lapphund

    Dogo Argentinos drool moderately.

    Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dogo Argentinos can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Are Dogo Argentinos good family dogs? What about Finnish Lapphunds?

    Dogo Argentinos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dogo Argentino or the Finnish Lapphund?

    Dogo Argentinos are very easy to groom.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dogo Argentino vs. Finnish Lapphund

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

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

    Does the Dogo Argentino Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Lapphund?

    Dogo Argentinos 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 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dogo Argentino

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino:

  • American Bulldog (78 percent match with Dogo Argentino). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs American Bulldog.
  • Fila Brasileiro (80 percent match with Dogo Argentino). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Fila Brasileiro.
  • 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 Dogo Argentino vs American Eskimo Dog.
  • Bearded Collie (80 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs Bearded Collie.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Jack Russell Terrier (80 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs Jack Russell Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dogo Argentino Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dogo Argentino versus Cockalier     Dogo Argentino versus Belgian Malinois     Dogo Argentino versus Silky Terrier     Dogo Argentino versus Schnoodle     Dogo Argentino versus Airedale Terrier     Dogo Argentino versus Great Pyrenees     Dogo Argentino versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Dogo Argentino versus Chorkie     Dogo Argentino versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Dogo Argentino versus Siberian Husky     

    Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Lapphund versus Bloodhound     Finnish Lapphund versus Shetland Sheepdog     Finnish Lapphund versus Brittany     Finnish Lapphund versus Pomapoo     Finnish Lapphund versus Basset Hound     Finnish Lapphund versus Bearded Collie     Finnish Lapphund versus Canaan Dog     Finnish Lapphund versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Finnish Lapphund versus Sussex Spaniel     Finnish Lapphund versus Westiepoo     

    Conclusion: Dogo Argentino 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 Dogo Argentino and the Finnish Lapphund better suits you and your family.