Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Finnish Lapphund Versus Italian Greyhound: Introduction
- Finnish Lapphund versus Italian Greyhound: Overview
- Finnish Lapphund versus Italian Greyhound: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Italian Greyhound
- The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Italian Greyhound
- Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Italian Greyhound
- Temperament of the Italian Greyhound Versus the Finnish Lapphund
- The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund versus Popularity of Italian Greyhound
- Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund versus Health Problems of Italian Greyhound
- Which one drools more, the Finnish Lapphund or the Italian Greyhound
- Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Italian Greyhound
- Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Italian Greyhounds?
- Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Italian Greyhounds?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Italian Greyhound?
- Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Italian Greyhound?
- Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Lapphund vs. Italian Greyhound
- Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Italian Greyhounds?
- How Kid-friendly are Finnish Lapphunds and Italian Greyhounds?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Lapphund or the Italian Greyhound?
- Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Italian Greyhound?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Lapphund
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Italian Greyhound
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Finnish Lapphund versus Italian Greyhound. Which One is a Better Pet?
Finnish Lapphund Versus Italian Greyhound: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Finnish Lapphund and the Italian Greyhound? 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Lapphund and the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound. 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 Italian Greyhound.
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 Italian Greyhound
Finnish Lapphund versus Italian Greyhound: Overview
A very important difference between the Finnish Lapphund and the Italian Greyhound is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog while the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Finnish Lapphund to the Italian Greyhound 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 | Italian Greyhound |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 14 to 15 years |
| Height | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 33 to 53 pounds | 6 to 15 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 14.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1500 – $2250 |
| Average Price | No Data | $1930 |
| Temperament Score | 62.5 percent | 81.5 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 168 | 70 |
*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 Italian Greyhound. 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 Italian Greyhound is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Finnish Lapphund is a better pet than the Italian Greyhound. 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound
Below is a list of where the Finnish Lapphund and the Italian Greyhound are most different:
The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Italian Greyhound
The Finnish Lapphund and the Italian Greyhound are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Finnish Lapphund and the Italian Greyhound are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Italian Greyhound
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Finnish Lapphund and the Italian Greyhound.
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, Italian Greyhounds weigh 6 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Italian Greyhounds are 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Italian Greyhound Versus the Finnish Lapphund
The Italian Greyhound has a better temperament than the Finnish Lapphund.
This is because the temperament score for the Italian Greyhound is 81.5 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 81.5 percent, the Italian Greyhound has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Finnish Lapphund and the Italian Greyhound by measuring the temperaments of 8 Finnish Lapphunds and 54 Italian Greyhounds.
The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund versus Popularity of Italian Greyhound
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 Italian Greyhound over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Italian Greyhound is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Lapphund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Italian Greyhound is 70 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 Italian Greyhound
| Year | Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank | Italian Greyhound Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 171 | 66 |
| 2014 | 173 | 74 |
| 2015 | 169 | 71 |
| 2016 | 173 | 72 |
| 2017 | 173 | 74 |
| 2018 | 161 | 73 |
| 2019 | 165 | 67 |
| 2020 | 165 | 69 |
Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund versus Health Problems of Italian Greyhound
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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Finnish Lapphund than for the Italian Greyhound.
6 health tests are recommended for Finnish Lapphund while 4 tests are recommended for the Italian Greyhound.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Finnish Lapphunds and in Italian Greyhounds.
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.
Italian Greyhound Health Problems
Italian Greyhounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Italian Greyhounds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Finnish Lapphunds and Italian Greyhounds
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 Italian Greyhound Breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.
This is because the Italian Greyhound ranks 3 out of 32 dog breeds for Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 96 Italian Greyhounds, 4 of them had Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Italian Greyhounds, and how common these diseases are in Italian Greyhounds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Finnish Lapphund and in Italian Greyhound and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Finnish Lapphund and the Italian Greyhound:
| Disease | Finnish Lapphund Rank | Italian Greyhound Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 74 out of 145 dog breeds | 62 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 86 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 90 out of 182 dog breeds | 30 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 119 out of 198 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems | Not Common | 3 out of 32 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 58 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 Italian Greyhound
Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Italian Greyhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Italian Greyhound
Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.
Italian Greyhounds do not like to be left alone.
Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Finnish Lapphunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Italian Greyhounds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Italian Greyhounds?
Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.
Italian Greyhounds do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Italian Greyhounds?
Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.
Italian Greyhounds bark and howl, but not very much.
Is the Finnish Lapphund Better for Apartment Owners than the Italian Greyhound?
Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.
Italian Greyhounds adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Finnish Lapphund or the Italian Greyhound?
Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.
Italian Greyhounds are very good for new dog owners.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Italian Greyhound?
Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.
Italian Greyhounds are very easy to groom.
Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Italian Greyhound?
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.
Italian Greyhounds 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. Italian Greyhound
Finnish Lapphunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Italian Greyhounds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Italian Greyhounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Italian Greyhounds?
Finnish Lapphunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Italian Greyhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Finnish Lapphunds and Italian Greyhounds?
Finnish Lapphunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Italian Greyhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Lapphund or the Italian Greyhound?
Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.
Italian Greyhounds get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Italian Greyhound?
Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.
Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Finnish Lapphund and how the Italian Greyhound compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Finnish Lapphund and of the Italian Greyhound to other breeds:
Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Lapphund versus Belgian Tervuren Finnish Lapphund versus Pharaoh Hound Finnish Lapphund versus Cockapoo Finnish Lapphund versus Chorkie Finnish Lapphund versus Vizsla Finnish Lapphund versus Maltese Finnish Lapphund versus Biewer Terrier Finnish Lapphund versus Australian Shepherd Finnish Lapphund versus Mastiff Finnish Lapphund versus Miniature Poodle
Italian Greyhound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Italian Greyhound versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Italian Greyhound versus Standard Poodle Italian Greyhound versus Saluki Italian Greyhound versus Portuguese Water Dog Italian Greyhound versus Morkie Italian Greyhound versus Spinone Italiano Italian Greyhound versus Cocker Spaniel Italian Greyhound versus Weimaraner Italian Greyhound versus Tibetan Mastiff Italian Greyhound versus Norfolk Terrier
Conclusion: Finnish Lapphund versus Italian Greyhound. 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 Italian Greyhound better suits you and your family.