Breed Comparison: Finnish Lapphund Versus Komondor

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Finnish Lapphund Versus Komondor: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor 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 Komondor.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor 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 Komondor. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor.

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 Komondor.

Finnish Lapphund versus Komondor

Finnish Lapphund versus Komondor: Overview

A very important difference between the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog while the Komondor 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 Komondor 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 Komondor: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Finnish Lapphund to the Komondor 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor

Factor Finnish Lapphund Komondor
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Height 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 1/5
Weight 33 to 53 pounds 80 to 100 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 1/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data $550 – $800
Average Price No Data $840
Temperament Score 62.5 percent 90.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 168 170

    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 Komondor. 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 the Finnish Lapphund is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Komondor is 70 out of 125.

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

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

  • Finnish Lapphunds are good for new dog owners. However, Komondors are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Finnish Lapphunds are very friendly towards strangers. However, Komondors are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Finnish Lapphunds get along well with other dogs. However, Komondors do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Finnish Lapphunds have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy. However, Komondors have low energy levels. They do not require a lot exercise time.
  • Finnish Lapphunds do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Komondors do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor

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

  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor 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 Komondor gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor are very easy to train.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Komondor

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

    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, Komondors weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Komondors are 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Finnish Lapphund versus Komondor

    The lifespan of Finnish Lapphunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Finnish Lapphunds is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Komondors is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Komondors is 11.0 years.

    Finnish Lapphunds live longer than Komondors.

    Temperament of the Komondor Versus the Finnish Lapphund

    The Komondor has a better temperament than the Finnish Lapphund.

    This is because the temperament score for the Komondor is 90.0 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 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 90.0 percent, the Komondor has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor by measuring the temperaments of 8 Finnish Lapphunds and 10 Komondors.

    The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund versus Popularity of Komondor

    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 Komondor over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Finnish Lapphund is more popular with dog owners than the Komondor. 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 Komondor is 170 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Popularity of Komondor

    Popularity of Komondor

    Year Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank Komondor Popularity Rank
    2013 171 159
    2014 173 168
    2015 169 163
    2016 173 177
    2017 173 163
    2018 161 173
    2019 165 181
    2020 165 178

    Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund versus Health Problems of Komondor

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor 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 Komondor.

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

    6 health tests are recommended for Finnish Lapphund while 3 tests are recommended for the Komondor.

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

    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.

    Komondor Health Problems

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

  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- min age 9 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Komondors here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Finnish Lapphunds and Komondors

    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 Komondor Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Komondor ranks 19 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 54 Komondors, 1 of them had Eyes problems.

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

  • Eyes problems: Rank 19 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 30 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 90 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Finnish Lapphund and in Komondor and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Finnish Lapphund and the Komondor:

    Disease Finnish Lapphund Rank Komondor 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 19 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 119 out of 198 dog breeds 90 out of 198 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 30 out of 70 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Komondor

    Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.

    Komondors do not like to be left alone.

    Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Komondors?

    Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.

    Komondors shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Finnish Lapphund or the Komondor

    Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Komondors do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.

    Komondors require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Komondors 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.

    Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Komondors?

    Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.

    Komondors are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Komondors Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Komondors can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Lapphund vs. Komondor

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

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

    Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Komondors Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

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

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

    Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Komondors do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Komondors?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Finnish Lapphunds and Komondors?

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

    Komondors get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Komondor?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.

    Komondors are very easy to train.

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

    Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Komondors are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Belgian Tervuren (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Belgian Tervuren.
  • Black Russian Terrier (70 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Black Russian Terrier.
  • Giant Schnauzer (72 percent match with Komondor). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Giant Schnauzer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Lapphund versus Field Spaniel     Finnish Lapphund versus Welsh Terrier     Finnish Lapphund versus Yorkipoo     Finnish Lapphund versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Finnish Lapphund versus Basset Hound     Finnish Lapphund versus Great Dane     Finnish Lapphund versus Cane Corso     Finnish Lapphund versus Westiepoo     Finnish Lapphund versus Kai Ken     Finnish Lapphund versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Finnish Lapphund versus Italian Greyhound     Finnish Lapphund versus Bracco Italiano     Finnish Lapphund versus Irish Wolfhound     Finnish Lapphund versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Finnish Lapphund versus Portuguese Pointer     Finnish Lapphund versus Fila Brasileiro     Finnish Lapphund versus Australian Shepherd     Finnish Lapphund versus Spinone Italiano     Finnish Lapphund versus Leonberger     Finnish Lapphund versus Basset Hound     Finnish Lapphund versus Affenpinscher     Finnish Lapphund versus Dogo Argentino     Finnish Lapphund versus Belgian Tervuren     Finnish Lapphund versus Black Russian Terrier     Finnish Lapphund versus Pomeranian     

    Komondor Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Komondor versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Komondor versus Akbash     Komondor versus Pomapoo     Komondor versus Chorkie     Komondor versus Pharaoh Hound     Komondor versus Belgian Sheepdog     Komondor versus Bullmastiff     Komondor versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Komondor versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Komondor versus Australian Cattle Dog     Komondor versus Karelian Bear Dog     Komondor versus Pyredoodle     Komondor versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Komondor versus Dutch Shepherd     Komondor versus Pomapoo     Komondor versus Ibizan Hound     Komondor versus Airedale Terrier     Komondor versus Keeshond     Komondor versus Affenhuahua     Komondor versus Afghan Hound     Komondor versus Toy Poodle     Komondor versus Pomeranian     Komondor versus Bordoodle     Komondor versus Dutch Shepherd     Komondor versus Aussiedoodle     

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