Differences and Similarities between the Finnish Spitz and the Lancashire Heeler.

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Finnish Spitz Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Spitz and the Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler. 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 Lancashire Heeler.

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 Lancashire Heeler

Finnish Spitz versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

A very important difference between the Finnish Spitz and the Lancashire Heeler is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog while the Lancashire Heeler is a tiny-sized dog.

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 Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Finnish Spitz to the Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 9 to 14 years
Height 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Weight 20 to 35 pounds 13 to 15 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
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 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
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 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.5 years
Average Price $900 $200
Price Range $600 – $1100 $200 – $200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
    		•

    *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 Lancashire Heeler. 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 Lancashire Heeler is 78 out of 125.

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

    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 Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Finnish Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Lancashire Heelers are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.

    • The Similarities Between the Finnish Spitz and the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Lancashire Heeler do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Lancashire Heeler shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Lancashire Heeler are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Lancashire Heeler are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Lancashire Heeler have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Lancashire Heeler do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Lancashire Heeler have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Finnish Spitz and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Spitz versus Lancashire Heeler

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

    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, Lancashire Heelers weigh 13 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Lancashire Heelers are 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of Finnish Spitz versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    The average price of the Finnish Spitz puppy is $900. The price of the Finnish Spitz typically ranges from $600 – $1100. However, the price of a Finnish Spitz can be as low as $500 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 Finnish Spitz puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Lancashire Heeler puppy is $200. The price of the Lancashire Heeler typically ranges from $200 – $200. However, the price of a Lancashire Heeler can be as low as $200 and as high as $200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 4 Lancashire Heeler puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Finnish Spitz is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Finnish Spitz Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $900 $200
    Price Range $600 to $1100 $200 to $200

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Finnish Spitz and Lancashire Heeler. For different price points, the charts show how many Finnish Spitz puppies or how many Lancashire Heeler puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Finnish Spitzs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Finnish Spitzs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Finnish Spitz puppy or the Lancashire Heeler puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Spitz versus Lancashire Heeler

    Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.

    Lancashire Heelers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Which one drools more, the Finnish Spitz or the Lancashire Heeler

    Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Spitz or the Lancashire Heeler?

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

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Is the Finnish Spitz Better for Apartment Owners than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.

    Lancashire Heelers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Lancashire Heelers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Finnish Spitz Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Does the Finnish Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lancashire Heeler?

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

    Lancashire Heelers 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.

    Do Finnish Spitzs shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

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

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Spitz vs. Lancashire Heeler

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

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

    Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Are Finnish Spitzs good family dogs? What about Lancashire Heelers?

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

    Lancashire Heelers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Finnish Spitzs and Lancashire Heelers?

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

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Do Finnish Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

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

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

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Dalmatian (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Hovawart.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Spitz versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Finnish Spitz versus Shichon     Finnish Spitz versus Goldador     Finnish Spitz versus Pekingese     Finnish Spitz versus Airedale Terrier     Finnish Spitz versus Kishu Ken     Finnish Spitz versus Giant Schnauzer     Finnish Spitz versus Vizsla     Finnish Spitz versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Finnish Spitz versus American Foxhound     

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Maremma Sheepdog     Lancashire Heeler versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Lancashire Heeler versus Tibetan Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Rottweiler     Lancashire Heeler versus Sealyham Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Norwegian Buhund     Lancashire Heeler versus Lhasa Apso     Lancashire Heeler versus Chinook     

    Conclusion: Finnish Spitz versus Lancashire Heeler. 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 Lancashire Heeler better suits you and your family.