Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Finnish Spitz Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction
- Finnish Spitz versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview
- Finnish Spitz versus West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Finnish Spitz and the West Highland White Terrier
- Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Spitz versus West Highland White Terrier
- Temperament of the West Highland White Terrier Versus the Finnish Spitz
- Price of Finnish Spitz versus Price of West Highland White Terrier
- The Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz versus the Intelligence of the West Highland White Terrier
- The Popularity of Finnish Spitz versus Popularity of West Highland White Terrier
- Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Spitz versus West Highland White Terrier
- Which one drools more, the Finnish Spitz or the West Highland White Terrier
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Spitz or the West Highland White Terrier?
- Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Is the Finnish Spitz Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?
- Does the Finnish Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?
- Do Finnish Spitzs shed more than West Highland White Terriers?
- Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Spitz vs. West Highland White Terrier
- Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Are Finnish Spitzs good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?
- How Kid-friendly are Finnish Spitzs and West Highland White Terriers?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Spitz or the West Highland White Terrier?
- Do Finnish Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about West Highland White Terriers?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the West Highland White Terrier
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Finnish Spitz versus West Highland White Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?
Finnish Spitz Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Finnish Spitz and the West Highland White 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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Spitz and the West Highland White 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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier
Finnish Spitz versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview
A very important difference between the Finnish Spitz and the West Highland White Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog while the West Highland White 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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Finnish Spitz to the West Highland White 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 | West Highland White Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 16 years |
| Height | 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 20 to 35 pounds | 13 to 22 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| 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 | 14.0 years |
| Average Price | $900 | $2220 |
| Price Range | $600 – $1100 | $1600 – $2700 |
| Temperament Score | 72.7 percent | 89.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 179 | 41 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 43 | 47 |
*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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the West Highland White Terrier is a better pet than the Finnish Spitz. So, you should get the West Highland White Terrier!
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 West Highland White Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Finnish Spitz and the West Highland White Terrier
The Finnish Spitz and the West Highland White Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Finnish Spitz and the West Highland White Terrier are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Spitz versus West Highland White Terrier
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Finnish Spitz and the West Highland White 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, West Highland White Terriers weigh 13 to 22 pounds when fully grown. West Highland White Terriers are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the West Highland White Terrier Versus the Finnish Spitz
The West Highland White Terrier has a better temperament than the Finnish Spitz.
This is because the temperament score for the West Highland White Terrier is 89.7 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 89.7 percent, the West Highland White Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Finnish Spitz and the West Highland White Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 11 Finnish Spitzs and 68 West Highland White Terriers.
Price of Finnish Spitz versus Price of West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier puppy is $2220. The price of the West Highland White Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2700. However, the price of a West Highland White Terrier can be as low as $600 and as high as $3999. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 103 West Highland White Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The West Highland White Terrier is more expensive than the Finnish Spitz.
| Finnish Spitz | West Highland White Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $900 | $2220 |
| Price Range | $600 to $1100 | $1600 to $2700 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Finnish Spitz and West Highland White Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Finnish Spitz puppies or how many West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terriers
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Finnish Spitz puppy or the West Highland White 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.
The Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz versus the Intelligence of the West Highland White Terrier
| Finnish Spitz | West Highland White Terrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 43 out of 130 dog breeds | 47 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 West Highland White Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 47 out of 130 dog breeds. The West Highland White Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that West Highland White Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Finnish Spitz is more intelligent than the West Highland White Terrier.
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 West Highland White Terrier
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 West Highland White Terrier over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the West Highland White Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Spitz. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the West Highland White Terrier is 41 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 West Highland White Terrier
| Year | Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank | West Highland White Terrier Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 170 | 36 |
| 2014 | 174 | 38 |
| 2015 | 178 | 41 |
| 2016 | 179 | 41 |
| 2017 | 177 | 42 |
| 2018 | 184 | 42 |
| 2019 | 183 | 44 |
| 2020 | 187 | 44 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Spitz versus West Highland White Terrier
Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
West Highland White Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the Finnish Spitz or the West Highland White Terrier
Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
West Highland White Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Spitz or the West Highland White Terrier?
Finnish Spitzs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
West Highland White Terriers are moderately easy to groom.
Is the Finnish Spitz Better for Apartment Owners than the West Highland White Terrier?
Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
West Highland White Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Finnish Spitz or the West Highland White Terrier?
Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.
West Highland White Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?
Finnish Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
West Highland White Terriers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Finnish Spitz Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?
Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.
West Highland White Terriers are very easy to train.
Does the Finnish Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?
Finnish Spitzs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terriers?
Finnish Spitzs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
West Highland White Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Spitz vs. West Highland White Terrier
Finnish Spitzs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
West Highland White Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?
Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.
West Highland White Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Are Finnish Spitzs good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?
Finnish Spitzs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
West Highland White Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Finnish Spitzs and West Highland White Terriers?
Finnish Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
West Highland White Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Spitz or the West Highland White Terrier?
Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
West Highland White Terriers get along very well with other dogs.
Do Finnish Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about West Highland White Terriers?
Finnish Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terrier
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Finnish Spitz and how the West Highland White Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Finnish Spitz and of the West Highland White Terrier to other breeds:
Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Spitz versus West Highland White Terrier Finnish Spitz versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Finnish Spitz versus Havanese Finnish Spitz versus Keeshond Finnish Spitz versus Gordon Setter Finnish Spitz versus Lhasapoo Finnish Spitz versus American Staffordshire Terrier Finnish Spitz versus Giant Schnauzer Finnish Spitz versus Norwich Terrier Finnish Spitz versus Siberian Husky
West Highland White Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
West Highland White Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel West Highland White Terrier versus Standard Schnauzer West Highland White Terrier versus Akita Chow West Highland White Terrier versus Japanese Chin West Highland White Terrier versus Basenji West Highland White Terrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer West Highland White Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog West Highland White Terrier versus Japanese Spitz West Highland White Terrier versus Gordon Setter West Highland White Terrier versus Pug
Conclusion: Finnish Spitz versus West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier better suits you and your family.