Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Finnish Lapphund Versus Harrier: Introduction
- Finnish Lapphund versus Harrier: Overview
- Finnish Lapphund versus Harrier: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Harrier
- The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Harrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Harrier
- The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund versus Popularity of Harrier
- Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund versus Health Problems of Harrier
- Which one drools more, the Finnish Lapphund or the Harrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Harrier
- Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Harriers?
- Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Harrier?
- Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
- Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Lapphund vs. Harrier
- Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Harriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Finnish Lapphunds and Harriers?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Lapphund or the Harrier?
- Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Harrier?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Lapphund
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Finnish Lapphund versus Harrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Finnish Lapphund Versus Harrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Finnish Lapphund and the Harrier? 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 Harrier 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 Harrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Lapphund and the Harrier 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 Harrier. 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 Harrier.
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 Harrier
Finnish Lapphund versus Harrier: Overview
Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Harrier are similar in size. The Finnish Lapphund and the Harrier 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 Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
Finnish Lapphund versus Harrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Finnish Lapphund to the Harrier 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 | Harrier |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Height | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 33 to 53 pounds | 45 to 60 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| 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 | 11.0 years |
| Price Range | No Data | No Data |
| Average Price | No Data | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 168 | 183 |
*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 Harrier. 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 Harrier is 81 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Finnish Lapphund is a better pet than the Harrier. 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 Harrier 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 Harrier
Below is a list of where the Finnish Lapphund and the Harrier are most different:
The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Harrier
The Finnish Lapphund and the Harrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Finnish Lapphund and the Harrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Harrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Finnish Lapphund and the Harrier.
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, Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund versus Popularity of Harrier
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 Harrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Finnish Lapphund is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. 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 Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Finnish Lapphund
Popularity of Harrier
| Year | Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank | Harrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 171 | 173 |
| 2014 | 173 | 181 |
| 2015 | 169 | 183 |
| 2016 | 173 | 186 |
| 2017 | 173 | 183 |
| 2018 | 161 | 189 |
| 2019 | 165 | 186 |
| 2020 | 165 | 190 |
Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund versus Health Problems of Harrier
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 Harrier 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 Harrier.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Finnish Lapphund than for the Harrier.
6 health tests are recommended for Finnish Lapphund while 2 tests are recommended for the Harrier.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Finnish Lapphunds and in Harriers.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Finnish Lapphunds here.
Harrier Health Problems
Harriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Harrier 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 Harrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Harrier 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 Harriers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Harriers here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Finnish Lapphunds and Harriers
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:
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 Harrier Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Harrier ranks 76 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 375 Harriers, 58 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Harriers, and how common these diseases are in Harriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Finnish Lapphund and in Harrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Finnish Lapphund and the Harrier:
| Disease | Finnish Lapphund Rank | Harrier Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 74 out of 145 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 86 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 90 out of 182 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 119 out of 198 dog breeds | 76 out of 198 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 Harrier
Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Harrier
Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.
Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.
Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Finnish Lapphunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Harriers can tolerate hot weather.
Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Harriers?
Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.
Harriers shed moderately.
Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?
Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.
Harriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Is the Finnish Lapphund Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?
Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.
Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Finnish Lapphund or the Harrier?
Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.
Harriers are OK for new dog owners.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Harrier?
Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.
Harriers are very easy to groom.
Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?
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.
Harriers 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: Finnish Lapphund vs. Harrier
Finnish Lapphunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Harriers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Harriers?
Finnish Lapphunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Harriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Finnish Lapphunds and Harriers?
Finnish Lapphunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Lapphund or the Harrier?
Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.
Harriers get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Harrier?
Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.
Harriers are not 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 Harrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Harrier 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 Harrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Finnish Lapphund and how the Harrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Finnish Lapphund and of the Harrier to other breeds:
Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Lapphund versus Papillon Finnish Lapphund versus Miniature Pinscher Finnish Lapphund versus Pomapoo Finnish Lapphund versus Kai Ken Finnish Lapphund versus Curly-Coated Retriever Finnish Lapphund versus American Eskimo Dog Finnish Lapphund versus Puggle Finnish Lapphund versus Kishu Ken Finnish Lapphund versus Rottweiler Finnish Lapphund versus Boxer
Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
Harrier versus Pomsky Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound Harrier versus Westiepoo Harrier versus West Highland White Terrier Harrier versus Shiranian Harrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Harrier versus Sussex Spaniel Harrier versus Briard Harrier versus Maltese Harrier versus Alaskan Klee Kai
Conclusion: Finnish Lapphund versus Harrier. 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 Harrier better suits you and your family.