Differences and Similarities between the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart.

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Finnish Lapphund versus Hovawart

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Finnish Lapphund Versus Hovawart: Introduction

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

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

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 Hovawart

Finnish Lapphund versus Hovawart

Finnish Lapphund versus Hovawart: Overview

A very important difference between the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog while the Hovawart is a large-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 Hovawart belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Finnish Lapphund versus Hovawart: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Finnish Lapphund to the Hovawart 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 Hovawart
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Height 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 29 inches
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Weight 33 to 53 pounds 55 to 110 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Temperament Score 62.5 percent 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
    		•  No Data

    *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 Hovawart. 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 Hovawart is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Finnish Lapphund is a better pet than the Hovawart. 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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart

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

  • Finnish Lapphunds adapt well to apartment living. However, Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Finnish Lapphunds get along well with other dogs. However, Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train. However, Hovawarts are not easy to train.

    • The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart

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

  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart 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 Hovawart are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Hovawart

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

    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, Hovawarts weigh 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Hovawarts are 23 to 29 inches when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Hovawart Versus the Finnish Lapphund

    The Hovawart has a better temperament than the Finnish Lapphund.

    This is because the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 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 91.7 percent, the Hovawart has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Finnish Lapphund and the Hovawart by measuring the temperaments of 8 Finnish Lapphunds and 24 Hovawarts.

    Which one drools more, the Finnish Lapphund or the Hovawart

    Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Hovawart

    Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.

    Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.

    Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Hovawarts can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Hovawarts?

    Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.

    Hovawarts shed moderately.

    Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Hovawarts?

    Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Is the Finnish Lapphund Better for Apartment Owners than the Hovawart?

    Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Hovawart?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.

    Hovawarts are very easy to groom.

    Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Hovawart?

    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.

    Hovawarts 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. Hovawart

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

    Hovawarts 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 Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Hovawarts?

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

    Hovawarts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Finnish Lapphunds and Hovawarts?

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

    Hovawarts get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.

    Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Hovawart?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.

    Hovawarts 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:

  • American Eskimo Dog (79 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the Hovawart vs American Eskimo Dog.
  • Bearded Collie (80 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the Hovawart vs Bearded Collie.
  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the Hovawart vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Jack Russell Terrier (80 percent match with Finnish Lapphund). Here is our comparison of the Hovawart vs Jack Russell Terrier.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Hovawart

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

  • Catahoula Leopard Dog (78 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Catahoula Leopard Dog.
  • Spanish Mastiff (81 percent match with Hovawart). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Spanish Mastiff.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Lapphund versus Portuguese Water Dog     Finnish Lapphund versus Berger Picard     Finnish Lapphund versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Finnish Lapphund versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Finnish Lapphund versus Mastiff     Finnish Lapphund versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Finnish Lapphund versus Portuguese Pointer     Finnish Lapphund versus Beagle     Finnish Lapphund versus American Hairless Terrier     Finnish Lapphund versus Irish Setter     

    Hovawart Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Hovawart versus Irish Setter     Hovawart versus Briard     Hovawart versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Hovawart versus Scottish Terrier     Hovawart versus Manchester Terrier     Hovawart versus American Bulldog     Hovawart versus American Water Spaniel     Hovawart versus Siberian Husky     Hovawart versus Black Mouth Cur     Hovawart versus Chinese Shar-Pei     

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