Which is Better between the Finnish Lapphund and the Norwegian Lundehund? A Very Detailed Review.

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Finnish Lapphund Versus Norwegian Lundehund: Introduction

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

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

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 Norwegian Lundehund

Finnish Lapphund versus Norwegian Lundehund: Overview

Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Norwegian Lundehund are similar in size. The Finnish Lapphund and the Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Finnish Lapphund to the Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund
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 1 foot to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Weight 33 to 53 pounds 13 to 16 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
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 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
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
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
    		•
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 168 187

    *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 Norwegian Lundehund. 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 Norwegian Lundehund is 83 out of 125.

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

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

  • Finnish Lapphunds adapt well to apartment living. However, Norwegian Lundehunds do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Finnish Lapphunds are good for new dog owners. However, Norwegian Lundehunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    • The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Norwegian Lundehund

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

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

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Norwegian Lundehund

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

    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, Norwegian Lundehunds weigh 13 to 16 pounds when fully grown. Norwegian Lundehunds are 1 foot to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund versus Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    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 Norwegian Lundehund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Finnish Lapphund is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Lundehund. 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 Norwegian Lundehund is 187 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Year Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank Norwegian Lundehund Popularity Rank
    2013 171 175
    2014 173 184
    2015 169 182
    2016 173 188
    2017 173 190
    2018 161 191
    2019 165 192
    2020 165 195

    Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund versus Health Problems of Norwegian Lundehund

    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 Norwegian Lundehund 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 Norwegian Lundehund.

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

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

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

    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.

    Norwegian Lundehund Health Problems

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

  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norwegian Lundehunds here.

    Which one drools more, the Finnish Lapphund or the Norwegian Lundehund

    Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Norwegian Lundehund

    Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not like to be left alone.

    Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Norwegian Lundehunds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.

    Norwegian Lundehunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Is the Finnish Lapphund Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    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.

    Norwegian Lundehunds 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. Norwegian Lundehund

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

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

    Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Lundehunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Norwegian Lundehunds?

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

    Norwegian Lundehunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Finnish Lapphunds and Norwegian Lundehunds?

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

    Norwegian Lundehunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Lundehunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.

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

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwegian Lundehund

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

  • Dalmatian (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Dalmatian.
  • Field Spaniel (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Field Spaniel.
  • Flat-Coated Retriever (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Flat-Coated Retriever.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Lapphund versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Finnish Lapphund versus Saint Bernard     Finnish Lapphund versus Pointer     Finnish Lapphund versus Jack Russell Terrier     Finnish Lapphund versus Saluki     Finnish Lapphund versus Samoyed     Finnish Lapphund versus Bordoodle     Finnish Lapphund versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Finnish Lapphund versus Bichon Frise     Finnish Lapphund versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     

    Norwegian Lundehund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Lundehund versus Coton de Tulear     Norwegian Lundehund versus Akbash     Norwegian Lundehund versus Norwegian Buhund     Norwegian Lundehund versus Karelian Bear Dog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Norwegian Lundehund versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Norwegian Lundehund versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Norwegian Lundehund versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Norwegian Lundehund versus Cocker Spaniel     

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