A Detailed Comparison of the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund.

English Setter versus Finnish Lapphund

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English Setter Versus Finnish Lapphund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter or the Finnish Lapphund

English Setter versus Finnish Lapphund

English Setter versus Finnish Lapphund: Overview

Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund are similar in size. The English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the English Setter 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.

English Setter versus Finnish Lapphund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Setter 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 English Setter Finnish Lapphund
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 11 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Weight 45 to 80 pounds 33 to 53 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1020 No Data
Price Range $800 – $1200 No Data
Temperament Score 81.3 percent 62.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 95 168

    *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 English Setter 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 English Setter is 74 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 English Setter. 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 English Setter 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 English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund

    Below is a list of where the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund are most different:

  • English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Finnish Lapphunds adapt well to apartment living.
  • English Setters do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Finnish Lapphunds do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund

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

  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund 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 English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Finnish Lapphund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund.

    English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. English Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 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 English Setter

    The English Setter has a better temperament than the Finnish Lapphund.

    This is because the temperament score for the English Setter is 81.3 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 81.3 percent, the English Setter 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 English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund by measuring the temperaments of 32 English Setters and 8 Finnish Lapphunds.

    The Popularity of English Setter 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 English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the English Setter is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Lapphund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the English Setter is 95 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Lapphund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of English Setter

    Popularity of English Setter

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Year English Setter Popularity Rank Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank
    2013 91 171
    2014 89 173
    2015 96 169
    2016 102 173
    2017 95 173
    2018 94 161
    2019 98 165
    2020 101 165

    Health Problems of English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Finnish Lapphund than for the English Setter.

    4 health tests are recommended for English Setter while 6 tests are recommended for the Finnish Lapphund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Setters and in Finnish Lapphunds.

    English Setter Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Setters 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 English Setters 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 English Setter Breed is Baer Hearing (Es) problems.

    This is because the English Setter ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Baer Hearing (Es) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 4303 English Setters, 4 of them had Baer Hearing (Es) problems.

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

  • Baer Hearing (Es) problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 1 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 4 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 28 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 70 out of 198 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 English Setter and in Finnish Lapphund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund:

    Disease English Setter Rank Finnish Lapphund Rank
    Baer Hearing (Es) problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 1 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Baer Hearing Test problems 4 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 28 out of 144 dog breeds 86 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 70 out of 198 dog breeds 119 out of 198 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 English Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Lapphund?

    English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Finnish Lapphund

    English Setters do not like to be left alone.

    Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.

    Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Finnish Lapphund

    English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Setter or the Finnish Lapphund?

    English Setters are OK for new dog owners.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    English Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Do English Setters shed more than Finnish Lapphunds?

    English Setters shed moderately.

    Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Finnish Lapphund?

    English Setters are moderately easy to groom.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.

    Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Finnish Lapphund?

    English Setters are fairly easy to train.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.

    Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Lapphunds?

    English Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.

    Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Finnish Lapphunds?

    English Setters are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Finnish Lapphunds?

    English Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Finnish Lapphund?

    English Setters get along very well with other dogs.

    Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Lapphund?

    English Setters 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Finnish Lapphund

    English Setters 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Setter 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 English Setter:

  • Irish Setter (83 percent match with English Setter). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Irish Setter.
  • 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 English Setter vs American Eskimo Dog.
  • Bearded Collie (80 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the English Setter vs Bearded Collie.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the English Setter vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Jack Russell Terrier (80 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the English Setter vs Jack Russell Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Setter versus Miniature Pinscher     English Setter versus Kai Ken     English Setter versus Schipperke     English Setter versus Azawakh     English Setter versus Maltipoo     English Setter versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     English Setter versus King Shepherd     English Setter versus Norwegian Buhund     English Setter versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     English Setter versus Cane Corso     

    Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Lapphund versus Jack Russell Terrier     Finnish Lapphund versus Lhasa Apso     Finnish Lapphund versus Bluetick Coonhound     Finnish Lapphund versus Newfoundland     Finnish Lapphund versus English Toy Spaniel     Finnish Lapphund versus Skye Terrier     Finnish Lapphund versus Affenpinscher     Finnish Lapphund versus Mountain Cur     Finnish Lapphund versus Papipoo     Finnish Lapphund versus Mudi     

    Conclusion: English Setter 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 English Setter and the Finnish Lapphund better suits you and your family.