Finnish Lapphund vs Havanese
Comprehensive comparison of two popular breeds to help you decide which one might be the better fit for your lifestyle and preferences.
Finnish Lapphund
Herding Group
Havanese
Toy Group
Quick Comparison
Size
Lifespan
Exercise Needs
Grooming Needs
Table of Contents
Breed Overview
Finnish Lapphund Overview
Finnish Lapphunds are medium-sized herding dogs with thick double coats in various colors, featuring distinctive spitz-like characteristics including a bushy tail and pointed ears. Their expressive faces showcase alert, dark eyes and a gentle, friendly expression. Muscular yet agile, they move with effortless grace, displaying the stamina that made them excellent reindeer herders.
Havanese Overview
Havanese dogs captivate with their silky, flowing coats and expressive dark eyes. Standing 8.5-11.5 inches tall with a sturdy yet compact frame, these charming companions showcase a distinctive springy gait. Their coat comes in various colors, featuring a soft texture and slight wave. Alert and spirited, they carry themselves with a gentle, intelligent expression that perfectly matches their affectionate nature.
Key Differences
- Energy Level: Finnish Lapphunds are less energetic than Havaneses, requiring less daily exercise.
- Grooming: Finnish Lapphunds require less grooming attention compared to Havaneses.
- Temperament: While both breeds are intelligent, Finnish Lapphunds tend to be more reserved with strangers than Havaneses.
- Trainability: Havaneses may be slightly easier to train due to their Havanese's higher intelligence ranking.
- Living Situation: Havaneses adapt better to apartment living, while Finnish Lapphunds typically prefer homes with more space.
Detailed Comparison
Below is a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the Finnish Lapphund and Havanese, covering everything from physical characteristics to care requirements.
Basic Information
| Feature | Finnish Lapphund | Havanese |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium | Toy |
| Life Expectancy | 12-15 years | 14-16 years |
| Country of Origin | Unknown | Unknown |
| Breed Group | Herding Group | Toy Group |
Physical Characteristics
| Feature | Finnish Lapphund | Havanese |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 16-21 inches 41-53 cm | 9-12 inches 22-29 cm |
| Weight | 33-53 lbs 15-24 kg | 7-13 lbs 3-6 kg |
| Coat Type | Short, dense coat | Short, dense coat |
| Coat Length | Short | Short |
| Shedding | Seasonal | Occasional |
Temperament & Behavior
| Feature | Finnish Lapphund | Havanese |
|---|---|---|
| Temperament | Friendly, Alert, Agile | Intelligent, Outgoing, Funny |
| Energy Level | | |
| Intelligence | | |
Compatibility
| Feature | Finnish Lapphund | Havanese |
|---|---|---|
| Good with Children | | |
| Good with Other Dogs | | |
| Apartment Friendly | | |
Temperament & Personality
Finnish Lapphund Temperament
The Finnish Lapphund is known for being friendly, alert, agile, making them excellent family dogs. Their moderate intelligence means they can be trained with consistent effort. They're typically friendly with strangers, making them poor guard dogs but excellent social companions. Their moderate energy level makes them adaptable to different lifestyles, though they still need regular exercise.
Havanese Temperament
The Havanese is characterized by being intelligent, outgoing, funny, which makes them great companions for families. With their moderate intelligence, they can learn with consistent training methods. They generally welcome strangers, making them sociable companions rather than protective guardians. Their moderate energy level makes them versatile companions that can adapt to your activity level, though regular exercise is still important.
Temperament Comparison
When comparing the Finnish Lapphund and Havanese, there are notable differences in their temperaments that potential owners should consider:
Sociability with Strangers
Good with Children
Side-by-Side Trait Ratings
GOOD WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
Finnish Lapphund
Rating: 4/5
Havanese
Rating: 5/5
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
Finnish Lapphund
Rating: 3/5
Havanese
Rating: 5/5
ENERGY LEVEL
Finnish Lapphund
Rating: 3/5
Havanese
Rating: 3/5
TRAINABILITY / INTELLIGENCE
Finnish Lapphund
Rating: 1/5
Havanese
Rating: 1/5
GROOMING NEEDS
Finnish Lapphund
Rating: 3/5
Havanese
Rating: 4/5
Care & Maintenance
Finnish Lapphund Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Finnish Lapphunds require moderate daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This can include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.
Grooming Requirements
With their short, dense coat coat, Finnish Lapphunds require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to prevent matting and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be beneficial.
Havanese Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Havaneses need regular daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This should include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.
Grooming Requirements
With their short, dense coat coat, Havaneses require significant grooming attention. This includes brushing several times per week to maintain coat health and reduce shedding. Professional grooming every 4-8 weeks is typically necessary.
Health & Lifespan
Finnish Lapphund Health Profile
Common Health Issues:
- Hip Dysplasia
- PRCD-PRA
- Elbow Dysplasia
- GCL
- PHTVL/PHPV
Havanese Health Profile
Common Health Issues:
- Chondrodysplasia
- Legg-Calve-Perthes
- Deafness
- Heart Murmurs
- Cataracts
Pros & Cons
Finnish Lapphund
Pros
- Excellent family companion
- Good with children
- Highly trainable
- Weather resistant
- Adaptable
Cons
- Heavy seasonal shedding
- Can be vocal
- Needs regular exercise
- Strong herding instinct
Havanese
Pros
- Excellent companion dog
- Good with children
- Highly adaptable
- Low shedding
- Intelligent
- Social nature
Cons
- Regular grooming needed
- Separation anxiety prone
- Can be vocal
- Frequent brushing required
Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?
Now that you've compared the Finnish Lapphund and Havanese, explore more breeds or use our breed matching tool to find the perfect dog for your lifestyle.