Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Finnish Spitz Versus Lhasa Apso: Introduction
- Finnish Spitz versus Lhasa Apso: Overview
- Finnish Spitz versus Lhasa Apso: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Finnish Spitz and the Lhasa Apso
- The Similarities Between the Finnish Spitz and the Lhasa Apso
- Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Spitz versus Lhasa Apso
- Temperament of the Finnish Spitz Versus the Lhasa Apso
- Price of Finnish Spitz versus Price of Lhasa Apso
- The Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz versus the Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso
- The Popularity of Finnish Spitz versus Popularity of Lhasa Apso
- Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Spitz versus Lhasa Apso
- Which one drools more, the Finnish Spitz or the Lhasa Apso
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Spitz or the Lhasa Apso?
- Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Is the Finnish Spitz Easier to Train than the Lhasa Apso?
- Does the Finnish Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lhasa Apso?
- Do Finnish Spitzs shed more than Lhasa Apsos?
- Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Spitz vs. Lhasa Apso
- Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Are Finnish Spitzs good family dogs? What about Lhasa Apsos?
- How Kid-friendly are Finnish Spitzs and Lhasa Apsos?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Spitz or the Lhasa Apso?
- Do Finnish Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about Lhasa Apsos?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lhasa Apso
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Finnish Spitz versus Lhasa Apso. Which One is a Better Pet?
Finnish Spitz Versus Lhasa Apso: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Finnish Spitz and the Lhasa Apso? 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 Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Spitz and the Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso. 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 Lhasa Apso.
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 Lhasa Apso
Finnish Spitz versus Lhasa Apso: Overview
A very important difference between the Finnish Spitz and the Lhasa Apso is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog while the Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Finnish Spitz versus Lhasa Apso: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Finnish Spitz to the Lhasa Apso 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 | Lhasa Apso |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 20 to 35 pounds | 12 to 15 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| 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 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $900 | $1780 |
| Price Range | $600 – $1100 | $1500 – $1996 |
| Temperament Score | 72.7 percent | 70.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 179 | 71 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 43 | 68 |
*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 Lhasa Apso. 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 Lhasa Apso is 79 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lhasa Apso is a better pet than the Finnish Spitz. So, you should get the Lhasa Apso!
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 Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso
Below is a list of where the Finnish Spitz and the Lhasa Apso are most different:
The Similarities Between the Finnish Spitz and the Lhasa Apso
The Finnish Spitz and the Lhasa Apso are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Finnish Spitz and the Lhasa Apso are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Spitz versus Lhasa Apso
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Finnish Spitz and the Lhasa Apso.
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, Lhasa Apsos weigh 12 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Lhasa Apsos are 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Finnish Spitz Versus the Lhasa Apso
The Finnish Spitz has a better temperament than the Lhasa Apso.
This is because the temperament score for the Finnish Spitz is 72.7 percent while the temperament score for the Lhasa Apso is 70.4 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 70.4 percent, the Lhasa Apso has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Finnish Spitz and the Lhasa Apso by measuring the temperaments of 11 Finnish Spitzs and 27 Lhasa Apsos.
Price of Finnish Spitz versus Price of Lhasa Apso
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 Lhasa Apso puppy is $1780. The price of the Lhasa Apso typically ranges from $1500 – $1996. However, the price of a Lhasa Apso can be as low as $200 and as high as $3499. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 104 Lhasa Apso puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Lhasa Apso is more expensive than the Finnish Spitz.
| Finnish Spitz | Lhasa Apso | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $900 | $1780 |
| Price Range | $600 to $1100 | $1500 to $1996 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Finnish Spitz and Lhasa Apso. For different price points, the charts show how many Finnish Spitz puppies or how many Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apsos
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Finnish Spitz puppy or the Lhasa Apso 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.
The Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz versus the Intelligence of the Lhasa Apso
| Finnish Spitz | Lhasa Apso | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 43 out of 130 dog breeds | 68 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Finnish Spitz has an obedience intelligence rank of 43 out of 130 dog breeds. The Finnish Spitz belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Finnish Spitzs tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Lhasa Apso has an obedience intelligence rank of 68 out of 130 dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Lhasa Apsos tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Finnish Spitz is more intelligent than the Lhasa Apso.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Finnish Spitz versus Popularity of Lhasa Apso
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 Lhasa Apso over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lhasa Apso is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Spitz. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Lhasa Apso is 71 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 Lhasa Apso
| Year | Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank | Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 170 | 63 |
| 2014 | 174 | 67 |
| 2015 | 178 | 65 |
| 2016 | 179 | 71 |
| 2017 | 177 | 77 |
| 2018 | 184 | 71 |
| 2019 | 183 | 78 |
| 2020 | 187 | 78 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Spitz versus Lhasa Apso
Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems.
Which one drools more, the Finnish Spitz or the Lhasa Apso
Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Spitz or the Lhasa Apso?
Finnish Spitzs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the Finnish Spitz Better for Apartment Owners than the Lhasa Apso?
Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Finnish Spitz or the Lhasa Apso?
Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.
Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.
Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather?
Finnish Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Lhasa Apsos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Finnish Spitz Easier to Train than the Lhasa Apso?
Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.
Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.
Does the Finnish Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lhasa Apso?
Finnish Spitzs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Lhasa Apsos 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 Lhasa Apsos?
Finnish Spitzs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.
Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Spitz vs. Lhasa Apso
Finnish Spitzs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Lhasa Apsos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather?
Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Are Finnish Spitzs good family dogs? What about Lhasa Apsos?
Finnish Spitzs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Lhasa Apsos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Finnish Spitzs and Lhasa Apsos?
Finnish Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Lhasa Apsos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Spitz or the Lhasa Apso?
Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.
Do Finnish Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about Lhasa Apsos?
Finnish Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Lhasa Apsos 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lhasa Apso
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lhasa Apso 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 Lhasa Apso:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Finnish Spitz and how the Lhasa Apso compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Finnish Spitz and of the Lhasa Apso to other breeds:
Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Spitz versus Afghan Hound Finnish Spitz versus Finnish Lapphund Finnish Spitz versus Golden Cocker Retriever Finnish Spitz versus Norwegian Buhund Finnish Spitz versus English Setter Finnish Spitz versus Barbet Finnish Spitz versus Australian Kelpie Finnish Spitz versus Dalmatian Finnish Spitz versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Finnish Spitz versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds
Lhasa Apso versus Saint Bernard Lhasa Apso versus Bullmastiff Lhasa Apso versus Brussels Griffon Lhasa Apso versus Peek A Poo Lhasa Apso versus Maremma Sheepdog Lhasa Apso versus English Springer Spaniel Lhasa Apso versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Lhasa Apso versus Bracco Italiano Lhasa Apso versus Bich Poo
Conclusion: Finnish Spitz versus Lhasa Apso. 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 Lhasa Apso better suits you and your family.