Is the Finnish Lapphund Better than the French Bulldog as a Pet? Answer…

Finnish Lapphund versus French Bulldog

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Finnish Lapphund Versus French Bulldog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog. 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 French Bulldog.

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 French Bulldog

Finnish Lapphund versus French Bulldog

Finnish Lapphund versus French Bulldog: Overview

A very important difference between the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog while the French Bulldog is a small-sized dog.

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 French Bulldog belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Finnish Lapphund versus French Bulldog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Finnish Lapphund to the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 11 to 14 years
Height 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 11 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 3/5
Weight 33 to 53 pounds 16 to 28 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.5 years
Price Range No Data $3100 – $5000
Average Price No Data $4610
Temperament Score 62.5 percent 96.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Autoimmune Thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Annual recertification recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Tracheal Hypoplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 168 5

    *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 French Bulldog. 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 French Bulldog is 86 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the French Bulldog is a better pet than the Finnish Lapphund. So, you should get the French Bulldog!

    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 French Bulldog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog

    Below is a list of where the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog are most different:

  • Finnish Lapphunds can tolerate cold weather. However, French Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog

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

  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog 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 Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog are very easy to train.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus French Bulldog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog.

    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, French Bulldogs weigh 16 to 28 pounds when fully grown. French Bulldogs are 11 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the French Bulldog Versus the Finnish Lapphund

    The French Bulldog has a better temperament than the Finnish Lapphund.

    This is because the temperament score for the French Bulldog is 96.2 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 96.2 percent, the French Bulldog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog by measuring the temperaments of 8 Finnish Lapphunds and 52 French Bulldogs.

    The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund versus Popularity of French Bulldog

    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 French Bulldog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the French Bulldog is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Lapphund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the French Bulldog is 5 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Lapphund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Popularity of French Bulldog

    Popularity of French Bulldog

    Year Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank French Bulldog Popularity Rank
    2013 171 11
    2014 173 9
    2015 169 6
    2016 173 6
    2017 173 4
    2018 161 4
    2019 165 4
    2020 165 2

    Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund versus Health Problems of French Bulldog

    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 Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Finnish Lapphund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the French Bulldog than for the Finnish Lapphund.

    6 health tests are recommended for Finnish Lapphund while 7 tests are recommended for the French Bulldog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Finnish Lapphunds and in French Bulldogs.

    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.

    French Bulldog Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune Thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Annual recertification recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Tracheal Hypoplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for French Bulldogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Finnish Lapphunds and French Bulldogs

    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
  • 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 French Bulldog Breed is Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems.

    This is because the French Bulldog ranks 1 out of 5 dog breeds for Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 55 French Bulldogs, 33 of them had Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems.

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

  • Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems: Rank 1 out of 5 Dog Breeds
  • Cystinuria problems: Rank 2 out of 6 Dog Breeds
  • Tracheal Hypoplasia problems: Rank 3 out of 4 Dog Breeds
  • Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems: Rank 4 out of 6 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 9 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 15 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 16 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 22 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 25 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 34 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 63 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 77 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 107 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Finnish Lapphund and in French Bulldog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Finnish Lapphund and the French Bulldog:

    Disease Finnish Lapphund Rank French Bulldog Rank
    Patella problems 74 out of 145 dog breeds 25 out of 145 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 86 out of 144 dog breeds 63 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 90 out of 182 dog breeds 77 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 119 out of 198 dog breeds 22 out of 198 dog breeds
    Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems Not Common 1 out of 5 dog breeds
    Cystinuria problems Not Common 2 out of 6 dog breeds
    Tracheal Hypoplasia problems Not Common 3 out of 4 dog breeds
    Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems Not Common 4 out of 6 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 9 out of 49 dog breeds
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems Not Common 15 out of 40 dog breeds
    Baer Hearing Test problems Not Common 16 out of 21 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 34 out of 70 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 107 out of 115 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.

    Which one drools more, the Finnish Lapphund or the French Bulldog

    Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    French Bulldogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus French Bulldog

    Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.

    French Bulldogs do not like to be left alone.

    Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can French Bulldogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    French Bulldogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than French Bulldogs?

    Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.

    French Bulldogs shed moderately.

    Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about French Bulldogs?

    Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.

    French Bulldogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Is the Finnish Lapphund Better for Apartment Owners than the French Bulldog?

    Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    French Bulldogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Finnish Lapphund or the French Bulldog?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.

    French Bulldogs are very good for new dog owners.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the French Bulldog?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.

    French Bulldogs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the French Bulldog?

    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.

    French Bulldogs 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Lapphund vs. French Bulldog

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

    French Bulldogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can French Bulldogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    French Bulldogs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about French Bulldogs?

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

    French Bulldogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Finnish Lapphunds and French Bulldogs?

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

    French Bulldogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Lapphund or the French Bulldog?

    Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.

    French Bulldogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the French Bulldog?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.

    French Bulldogs are very 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:

  • American Eskimo Dog (79 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the French Bulldog vs American Eskimo Dog.
  • Bearded Collie (80 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the French Bulldog vs Bearded Collie.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the French Bulldog vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Jack Russell Terrier (80 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the French Bulldog vs Jack Russell Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the French Bulldog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the French Bulldog 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 French Bulldog:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (75 percent match with French Bulldog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Beaglier (74 percent match with French Bulldog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Beaglier.
  • Chihuahua (74 percent match with French Bulldog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Chihuahua.
  • Pug (83 percent match with French Bulldog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Pug.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Lapphund versus Pharaoh Hound     Finnish Lapphund versus Giant Schnauzer     Finnish Lapphund versus Dogo Argentino     Finnish Lapphund versus Doberman Pinscher     Finnish Lapphund versus Dalmatian     Finnish Lapphund versus Bearded Collie     Finnish Lapphund versus American Eskimo Dog     Finnish Lapphund versus Bullmastiff     Finnish Lapphund versus English Toy Spaniel     Finnish Lapphund versus Doberman Pinscher     

    French Bulldog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    French Bulldog versus German Pinscher     French Bulldog versus Belgian Tervuren     French Bulldog versus Lhasapoo     French Bulldog versus Belgian Malinois     French Bulldog versus Australian Cattle Dog     French Bulldog versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     French Bulldog versus Mastiff     French Bulldog versus Valley Bulldog     French Bulldog versus Field Spaniel     French Bulldog versus Pyrenean Shepherd     

    Conclusion: Finnish Lapphund versus French Bulldog. 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 French Bulldog better suits you and your family.