Differences and Similarities between the Finnish Spitz and the Icelandic Sheepdog.

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Finnish Spitz Versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Spitz and the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog.

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 Icelandic Sheepdog

Finnish Spitz versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Overview

Both the Finnish Spitz and the Icelandic Sheepdog are similar in size. The Finnish Spitz and the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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.

Finnish Spitz versus Icelandic Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Finnish Spitz to the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 14 to 15 years
Height 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder
Easy To Groom 2/5 1/5
Weight 20 to 35 pounds 20 to 30 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 1/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 14.5 years
Average Price $900 No Data
Price Range $600 – $1100 No Data
Temperament Score 72.7 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 179 145

    *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 Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

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

    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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog

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

  • Finnish Spitzs get along well with other dogs. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Finnish Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.

    • The Similarities Between the Finnish Spitz and the Icelandic Sheepdog

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

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

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Spitz versus Icelandic Sheepdog

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

    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, Icelandic Sheepdogs weigh 20 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Icelandic Sheepdogs are 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Icelandic Sheepdog Versus the Finnish Spitz

    The Icelandic Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Finnish Spitz.

    This is because the temperament score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Finnish Spitz is 72.7 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 they 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 72.7 percent, the Finnish Spitz has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Icelandic Sheepdog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Finnish Spitz and the Icelandic Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 11 Finnish Spitzs and 10 Icelandic Sheepdogs.

    The Popularity of Finnish Spitz versus Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog

    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 Icelandic Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Icelandic Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Spitz. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Icelandic Sheepdog is 145 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Spitz is 179 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Finnish Spitz

    Popularity of Finnish Spitz

    Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog

    Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog

    Year Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank Icelandic Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 170 142
    2014 174 146
    2015 178 140
    2016 179 153
    2017 177 144
    2018 184 155
    2019 183 132
    2020 187 154

    Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Spitz versus Icelandic Sheepdog

    Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Which one drools more, the Finnish Spitz or the Icelandic Sheepdog

    Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Spitz or the Icelandic Sheepdog?

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

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

    Is the Finnish Spitz Better for Apartment Owners than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Finnish Spitz Easier to Train than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

    Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.

    Does the Finnish Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Icelandic Sheepdog?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Spitz vs. Icelandic Sheepdog

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

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

    Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Are Finnish Spitzs good family dogs? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Finnish Spitzs and Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.

    Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Do Finnish Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about Icelandic Sheepdogs?

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

    Icelandic Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend 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 Icelandic Sheepdog vs Bearded Collie.
  • West Highland White Terrier (79 percent match with Finnish Spitz). Here is our comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog

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

  • Kai Ken (78 percent match with Icelandic Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Kai Ken.
  • Scottish Deerhound (75 percent match with Icelandic Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Scottish Deerhound.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Spitz versus Pyredoodle     Finnish Spitz versus Bulldog     Finnish Spitz versus Manchester Terrier     Finnish Spitz versus Shiloh Shepherd     Finnish Spitz versus Bulldog     Finnish Spitz versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Finnish Spitz versus Schnoodle     Finnish Spitz versus Shichon     Finnish Spitz versus Goldendoodle     Finnish Spitz versus Biewer Terrier     

    Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Aussiedoodle     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bloodhound     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Affenhuahua     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Toy Fox Terrier     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Japanese Spitz     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Sloughi     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Chi-Poo     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Keeshond     Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cane Corso     

    Conclusion: Finnish Spitz versus Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog better suits you and your family.