Finnish Spitz versus Harrier. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

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Finnish Spitz Versus Harrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier 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 Spitz and for the Harrier. 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 Spitz and the Harrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Finnish Spitz or the Harrier

Finnish Spitz versus Harrier: Overview

Both the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier are similar in size. The Finnish Spitz and the Harrier are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Finnish Spitz 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.

On the other hand, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Finnish Spitz versus Harrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Finnish Spitz to the Harrier 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 Spitz Harrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Height 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Weight 20 to 35 pounds 45 to 60 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $900 No Data
Price Range $600 – $1100 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 179 183

    *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 Spitz 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 Harrier. 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 Spitz is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Harrier is 81 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Harrier is a better pet than the Finnish Spitz. So, you should get the Harrier!

    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 Spitz and the Harrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier

    Below is a list of where the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier are most different:

  • Finnish Spitzs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Harriers are very easy to groom.

    • The Similarities Between the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier

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

  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Spitz versus Harrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Finnish Spitz and the Harrier.

    Finnish Spitzs weigh 20 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Finnish Spitzs are 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    The Popularity of Finnish Spitz versus Popularity of Harrier

    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 Spitz and the Harrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Finnish Spitz is more popular with dog owners than the Harrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Finnish Spitz is 179 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Harrier is 183 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Finnish Spitz

    Popularity of Finnish Spitz

    Popularity of Harrier

    Popularity of Harrier

    Year Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank Harrier Popularity Rank
    2013 170 173
    2014 174 181
    2015 178 183
    2016 179 186
    2017 177 183
    2018 184 189
    2019 183 186
    2020 187 190

    Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Spitz versus Harrier

    Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Which one drools more, the Finnish Spitz or the Harrier

    Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Harriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Spitz or the Harrier?

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

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Is the Finnish Spitz Better for Apartment Owners than the Harrier?

    Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Finnish Spitz or the Harrier?

    Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.

    Harriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Finnish Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Harriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Finnish Spitz Easier to Train than the Harrier?

    Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Does the Finnish Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Harrier?

    Finnish Spitzs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Harriers 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.

    Do Finnish Spitzs shed more than Harriers?

    Finnish Spitzs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Spitz vs. Harrier

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

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

    Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Are Finnish Spitzs good family dogs? What about Harriers?

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

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

    How Kid-friendly are Finnish Spitzs and Harriers?

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

    Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Spitz or the Harrier?

    Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Finnish Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about Harriers?

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

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz

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

  • Bearded Collie (78 percent match with Finnish Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Bearded Collie.
  • West Highland White Terrier (79 percent match with Finnish Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs West Highland White Terrier.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Harrier

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

  • American Foxhound (82 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Bluetick Coonhound.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Spitz versus Dalmatian     Finnish Spitz versus Pomapoo     Finnish Spitz versus West Highland White Terrier     Finnish Spitz versus Saint Berdoodle     Finnish Spitz versus Norfolk Terrier     Finnish Spitz versus Cockalier     Finnish Spitz versus Irish Water Spaniel     Finnish Spitz versus Alaskan Malamute     Finnish Spitz versus Affenpinscher     Finnish Spitz versus Aussiedoodle     

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Yorkshire Terrier     Harrier versus Norwich Terrier     Harrier versus Australian Terrier     Harrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Harrier versus Lhasapoo     Harrier versus Rottweiler     Harrier versus Black Russian Terrier     Harrier versus Irish Wolfhound     Harrier versus Boerboel     Harrier versus Labrador Retriever     

    Conclusion: Finnish Spitz versus Harrier. 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 Spitz and the Harrier better suits you and your family.