Finnish Lapphund versus Patterdale Terrier. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

by
Finnish Lapphund versus Patterdale Terrier

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Finnish Lapphund Versus Patterdale Terrier: Introduction

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

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

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 Patterdale Terrier

Finnish Lapphund versus Patterdale Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Finnish Lapphund and the Patterdale Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog while the Patterdale Terrier 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 Patterdale Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Finnish Lapphund versus Patterdale Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Finnish Lapphund to the Patterdale Terrier 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 Patterdale Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 11 to 14 years
Height 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 12 to 15 inches
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Weight 33 to 53 pounds 11 to 13 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 4/5
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 2/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
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 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
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 12.5 years
Price Range No Data $550 – $950
Average Price No Data $680
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 Patterdale Terrier. 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 Patterdale Terrier is 77 out of 125.

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

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

  • Finnish Lapphunds adapt well to apartment living. However, Patterdale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    • The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Patterdale Terrier

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

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

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Patterdale Terrier

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

    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, Patterdale Terriers weigh 11 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Patterdale Terriers are 12 to 15 inches when fully grown.

    Which one drools more, the Finnish Lapphund or the Patterdale Terrier

    Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Patterdale Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Patterdale Terrier

    Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.

    Patterdale Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Patterdale Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Patterdale Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Patterdale Terriers?

    Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.

    Patterdale Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Patterdale Terriers?

    Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Is the Finnish Lapphund Better for Apartment Owners than the Patterdale Terrier?

    Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Patterdale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Patterdale Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Patterdale Terrier?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.

    Patterdale Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Patterdale Terrier?

    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.

    Patterdale Terriers 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. Patterdale Terrier

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

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

    Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Patterdale Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Patterdale Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Patterdale Terriers?

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

    Patterdale Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Finnish Lapphunds and Patterdale Terriers?

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

    Patterdale Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Patterdale Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Patterdale Terrier?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.

    Patterdale Terriers 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:

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

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Patterdale Terrier

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

  • Field Spaniel (79 percent match with Patterdale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Field Spaniel.
  • Portuguese Pointer (78 percent match with Patterdale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs Portuguese Pointer.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Lapphund versus Irish Setter     Finnish Lapphund versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Finnish Lapphund versus Brussels Griffon     Finnish Lapphund versus Bloodhound     Finnish Lapphund versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Finnish Lapphund versus Cane Corso     Finnish Lapphund versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Finnish Lapphund versus Shiloh Shepherd     Finnish Lapphund versus Lhasa Apso     Finnish Lapphund versus Yorkshire Terrier     

    Patterdale Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Patterdale Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     Patterdale Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     Patterdale Terrier versus Pomchi     Patterdale Terrier versus Irish Terrier     Patterdale Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer     Patterdale Terrier versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Patterdale Terrier versus Boxer     Patterdale Terrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Patterdale Terrier versus Biewer Terrier     Patterdale Terrier versus Newfoundland     

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