Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Finnish Lapphund Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
- Finnish Lapphund versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
- Finnish Lapphund versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Finnish Spitz
- Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Finnish Spitz
- Temperament of the Finnish Lapphund Versus the Finnish Spitz
- The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund versus Popularity of Finnish Spitz
- Which one drools more, the Finnish Lapphund or the Finnish Spitz
- Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Finnish Spitz
- Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
- Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Finnish Spitz?
- Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
- Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Lapphund vs. Finnish Spitz
- Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- How Kid-friendly are Finnish Lapphunds and Finnish Spitzs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Lapphund or the Finnish Spitz?
- Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Lapphund
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Finnish Lapphund versus Finnish Spitz. Which One is a Better Pet?
Finnish Lapphund Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Finnish Spitz.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund or the Finnish Spitz
Finnish Lapphund versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Finnish Spitz are similar in size. The Finnish Lapphund and the Finnish Spitz are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, 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.
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.
Finnish Lapphund versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Finnish Lapphund 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 | Finnish Lapphund | Finnish Spitz |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 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 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 33 to 53 pounds | 20 to 35 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $600 – $1100 |
| Average Price | No Data | $900 |
| Temperament Score | 62.5 percent | 72.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 168 | 179 |
*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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund is 84 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 Lapphund is a better pet than the Finnish Spitz. 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Finnish Spitz so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Lapphund and the Finnish Spitz are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Finnish Lapphund and the Finnish Spitz are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Finnish Spitz
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Finnish Lapphund and the Finnish Spitz.
Finnish Lapphunds weigh 33 to 53 pounds when fully grown. Finnish Lapphunds 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 Lapphund Versus the Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz has a better temperament than the Finnish Lapphund.
This is because the temperament score for the Finnish Spitz is 72.7 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 62.5 percent, the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Finnish Spitz by measuring the temperaments of 8 Finnish Lapphunds and 11 Finnish Spitzs.
The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Finnish Spitz over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Finnish Lapphund is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Spitz. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Finnish Lapphund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Spitz is 179 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Finnish Lapphund
Popularity of Finnish Spitz
| Year | Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank | Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 171 | 170 |
| 2014 | 173 | 174 |
| 2015 | 169 | 178 |
| 2016 | 173 | 179 |
| 2017 | 173 | 177 |
| 2018 | 161 | 184 |
| 2019 | 165 | 183 |
| 2020 | 165 | 187 |
Which one drools more, the Finnish Lapphund or the Finnish Spitz
Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Finnish Spitz
Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.
Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Finnish Lapphunds 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.
Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.
Finnish Spitzs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.
Finnish Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Is the Finnish Lapphund Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Spitz?
Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.
Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Finnish Lapphund or the Finnish Spitz?
Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.
Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Finnish Spitz?
Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.
Finnish Spitzs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
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.
Finnish Spitzs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Lapphund vs. Finnish Spitz
Finnish Lapphunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Finnish Spitzs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphunds and Finnish Spitzs?
Finnish Lapphunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Finnish Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Lapphund or the Finnish Spitz?
Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.
Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.
Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.
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 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 Finnish Lapphund and how the Finnish Spitz compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Finnish Lapphund and of the Finnish Spitz to other breeds:
Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Lapphund versus Bouvier des Flandres Finnish Lapphund versus Spanish Mastiff Finnish Lapphund versus Portuguese Pointer Finnish Lapphund versus American Eskimo Dog Finnish Lapphund versus Lancashire Heeler Finnish Lapphund versus Briard Finnish Lapphund versus Brittany Finnish Lapphund versus Pomsky Finnish Lapphund versus Lowchen Finnish Lapphund versus Japanese Spitz
Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Spitz versus Irish Water Spaniel Finnish Spitz versus Flat-Coated Retriever Finnish Spitz versus Canaan Dog Finnish Spitz versus West Highland White Terrier Finnish Spitz versus Belgian Malinois Finnish Spitz versus Bich Poo Finnish Spitz versus Italian Greyhound Finnish Spitz versus Kai Ken Finnish Spitz versus Afador Finnish Spitz versus Pomchi
Conclusion: Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Finnish Spitz better suits you and your family.