Differences and Similarities between the Finnish Lapphund and the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

Finnish Lapphund versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

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Finnish Lapphund Versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Lapphund and the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon 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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. 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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Finnish Lapphund versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: Overview

Both the Finnish Lapphund and the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon are similar in size. The Finnish Lapphund and the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon 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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Finnish Lapphund versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Finnish Lapphund to the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon 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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
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 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Weight 33 to 53 pounds 50 to 60 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
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 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $1000 – $1800
Average Price No Data $1320
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 168 67

    *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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. 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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is 83 out of 125.

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

    Below is a list of where the Finnish Lapphund and the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon are most different:

  • Finnish Lapphunds adapt well to apartment living. However, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

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

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

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Finnish Lapphund and the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

    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, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons weigh 50 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund versus Popularity of Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

    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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Lapphund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is 67 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 Finnish Lapphund

    Popularity of Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

    Popularity of Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

    Year Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Popularity Rank
    2013 171 80
    2014 173 76
    2015 169 66
    2016 173 66
    2017 173 65
    2018 161 65
    2019 165 62
    2020 165 63

    Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund versus Health Problems of Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

    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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon 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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Finnish Lapphund than for the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

    6 health tests are recommended for Finnish Lapphund while 4 tests are recommended for the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Finnish Lapphunds and in Wirehaired Pointing Griffons.

    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.

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Wirehaired Pointing Griffons here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Finnish Lapphunds and Wirehaired Pointing Griffons

    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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon ranks 21 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 285 Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, 21 of them had Thyroid problems.

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

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 21 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 71 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 132 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 152 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Finnish Lapphund and in Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Finnish Lapphund and the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon:

    Disease Finnish Lapphund Rank Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Rank
    Patella problems 74 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 86 out of 144 dog breeds 71 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 90 out of 182 dog breeds 152 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 119 out of 198 dog breeds 132 out of 198 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 21 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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

    Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffons do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

    Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffons do not like to be left alone.

    Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffons can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Wirehaired Pointing Griffons?

    Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffons do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Wirehaired Pointing Griffons?

    Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Is the Finnish Lapphund Better for Apartment Owners than the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?

    Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffons do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Finnish Lapphund or the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are OK for new dog owners.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?

    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.

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffons 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. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

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

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

    Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Wirehaired Pointing Griffons Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffons can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Wirehaired Pointing Griffons?

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

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffons are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Finnish Lapphunds and Wirehaired Pointing Griffons?

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

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffons get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Lapphund or the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?

    Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffons get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon?

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon 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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon:

  • English Springer Spaniel (82 percent match with Wirehaired Pointing Griffon). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Lapphund vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • Flat-Coated Retriever (81 percent match with Wirehaired Pointing Griffon). 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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Finnish Lapphund and of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon to other breeds:

    Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Lapphund versus Bluetick Coonhound     Finnish Lapphund versus Samoyed     Finnish Lapphund versus Italian Greyhound     Finnish Lapphund versus Whippet     Finnish Lapphund versus Stabyhoun     Finnish Lapphund versus Irish Water Spaniel     Finnish Lapphund versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Finnish Lapphund versus Westiepoo     Finnish Lapphund versus Cockalier     Finnish Lapphund versus Irish Water Spaniel     

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Wirehaired Pointing Griffon versus Shetland Sheepdog     Wirehaired Pointing Griffon versus Australian Cattle Dog     Wirehaired Pointing Griffon versus Boxerdoodle     Wirehaired Pointing Griffon versus Tibetan Mastiff     Wirehaired Pointing Griffon versus Sheepadoodle     Wirehaired Pointing Griffon versus Kuvasz     Wirehaired Pointing Griffon versus Clumber Spaniel     Wirehaired Pointing Griffon versus English Cocker Spaniel     Wirehaired Pointing Griffon versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Wirehaired Pointing Griffon versus Irish Terrier     

    Conclusion: Finnish Lapphund versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. 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 Wirehaired Pointing Griffon better suits you and your family.