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

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Finnish Spitz Versus Patterdale Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Spitz and the Patterdale Terrier 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 Patterdale Terrier. 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 Patterdale Terrier.

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 Patterdale Terrier

Finnish Spitz versus Patterdale Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Finnish Spitz and the Patterdale Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog while the Patterdale Terrier is a small-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 Patterdale Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Finnish Spitz versus Patterdale Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Finnish Spitz to the Patterdale Terrier 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 Patterdale Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 11 to 14 years
Height 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 12 to 15 inches
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Weight 20 to 35 pounds 11 to 13 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 4/5
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 12.5 years
Average Price $900 $680
Price Range $600 – $1100 $550 – $950
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data

*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 Patterdale Terrier. 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 Patterdale Terrier is 77 out of 125.

Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Patterdale Terrier is not better or worse than the Finnish Spitz. So, you can get the Patterdale Terrier or 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 Patterdale Terrier 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 Patterdale Terrier

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

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

    • The Similarities Between the Finnish Spitz and the Patterdale Terrier

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

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

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Spitz versus Patterdale Terrier

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

    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, Patterdale Terriers weigh 11 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Patterdale Terriers are 12 to 15 inches when fully grown.

    Price of Finnish Spitz versus Price of Patterdale Terrier

    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 Patterdale Terrier puppy is $680. The price of the Patterdale Terrier typically ranges from $550 – $950. However, the price of a Patterdale Terrier can be as low as $300 and as high as $1200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 14 Patterdale Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Finnish Spitz is more expensive than the Patterdale Terrier.

    Finnish Spitz Patterdale Terrier
    Average Price $900 $680
    Price Range $600 to $1100 $550 to $950

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Finnish Spitz and Patterdale Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Finnish Spitz puppies or how many Patterdale Terrier 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 Patterdale Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Patterdale Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Finnish Spitz puppy or the Patterdale Terrier 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 Patterdale Terrier

    Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.

    Patterdale Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Which one drools more, the Finnish Spitz or the Patterdale Terrier

    Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Patterdale Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Spitz or the Patterdale Terrier?

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

    Patterdale Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Is the Finnish Spitz Better for Apartment Owners than the Patterdale Terrier?

    Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Patterdale Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.

    Patterdale Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Patterdale Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Patterdale Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Finnish Spitz Easier to Train than the Patterdale Terrier?

    Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.

    Patterdale Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Does the Finnish Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Patterdale Terrier?

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

    Patterdale Terriers 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 Patterdale Terriers?

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

    Patterdale Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Spitz vs. Patterdale Terrier

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

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

    Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Patterdale Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Patterdale Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Are Finnish Spitzs good family dogs? What about Patterdale Terriers?

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

    Patterdale Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Finnish Spitzs and Patterdale Terriers?

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

    Patterdale Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.

    Patterdale Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Do Finnish Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about Patterdale Terriers?

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

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

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Patterdale Terrier

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

  • Field Spaniel (79 percent match with Patterdale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Field Spaniel.
  • Portuguese Pointer (78 percent match with Patterdale Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Finnish Spitz vs Portuguese Pointer.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Finnish Spitz versus Papillon     Finnish Spitz versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Finnish Spitz versus Xoloitzcuintli     Finnish Spitz versus Catahoula Bulldog     Finnish Spitz versus Norwegian Buhund     Finnish Spitz versus Alaskan Malamute     Finnish Spitz versus Bernedoodle     Finnish Spitz versus Scottish Deerhound     Finnish Spitz versus Cockapoo     Finnish Spitz versus Golden Retriever     

    Patterdale Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Patterdale Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Patterdale Terrier versus Bordoodle     Patterdale Terrier versus Schipperke     Patterdale Terrier versus Welsh Terrier     Patterdale Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Patterdale Terrier versus Schnoodle     Patterdale Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Patterdale Terrier versus Bordoodle     Patterdale Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     Patterdale Terrier versus Toy Fox Terrier     

    Conclusion: Finnish Spitz versus Patterdale Terrier. 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 Patterdale Terrier better suits you and your family.