Why the Yorkshire Terrier is Better than the Finnish Lapphund as a Pet

Last Updated: Apr 09, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Yorkshire Terrier Versus Finnish Lapphund: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund 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 Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund 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 Yorkshire Terrier and for the Finnish Lapphund. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Yorkshire Terrier or the Finnish Lapphund.

Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund

Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund: Overview

A very important difference between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Yorkshire Terrier 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.

On the other hand, the Finnish Lapphund 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.

Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Yorkshire Terrier to the Finnish Lapphund 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund

FactorYorkshire TerrierFinnish Lapphund
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Life Span12 to 15 years12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/55/5
Tolerates Hot Weather2/52/5
Kid-Friendly2/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/54/5
Does NOT Shed4/53/5
Easy To Groom2/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/52/5
Does NOT chew on things4/52/5
Low Prey Drive4/52/5
Dog Friendly3/55/5
Easy To Train3/55/5
Intelligence3/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/52/5
Good For Novice Owners4/54/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
General Health4/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Weight4 to 6 pounds33 to 53 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/54/5
Easygoing1/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Height8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan13.5 years13.5 years
Average Price$2420No Data
Price Range$1600 – $2950No Data
Temperament Score83.7 percent62.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cornell DNA Bank
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- Prior to the onset of breeding, recommend evaluations at 1, 3, and 6 Years of Age.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds9168

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Yorkshire Terrier 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 Finnish Lapphund. 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 the Yorkshire Terrier is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Finnish Lapphund is 84 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Finnish Lapphund, we still believe that the Yorkshire Terrier is a better pet than the Finnish Lapphund.

    This is because Yorkshire Terriers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Yorkshire Terrier will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Yorkshire Terrier :-). We are for the Yorkshire Terrier. So get a Yorkshire Terrier!

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund

    Below is a list of where the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund are most different:

  • Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Finnish Lapphunds can tolerate cold weather.
  • Yorkshire Terriers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Finnish Lapphunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • The Similarities Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund

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

  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund.

    The Yorkshire Terrier weighs 4 to 6 pounds when fully grown. The Yorkshire Terrier is 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Finnish Lapphund weighs 33 to 53 pounds when fully grown. The Finnish Lapphund is 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Yorkshire Terrier versus Size of Finnish Lapphund

    Appearance (Colors) of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund

    Yorkshire Terrier Colors

    The Yorkshire Terrier comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Bicolor
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black
    • Golden
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Apricot / Beige
    • White / Cream
    • Sable

    The Yorkshire Terrier comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Black
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Golden
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Sable
    • Bicolor

    Finnish Lapphund Colors

    The Finnish Lapphund comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Black

    The Finnish Lapphund comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn

    Lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund

    The lifespan of the Yorkshire Terrier is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Yorkshire Terrier is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of the Finnish Lapphund is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Finnish Lapphund is 13.5 years.

    The Finnish Lapphund live as long as the Yorkshire Terrier.

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund

    Temperament of the Finnish Lapphund Versus the Yorkshire Terrier

    The Yorkshire Terrier has a better temperament than the Finnish Lapphund.

    This is because the temperament score for the Yorkshire Terrier is 83.7 percent while the temperament score for the Finnish Lapphund is 62.5 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 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 83.7 percent, the Yorkshire Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 62.5 percent, the Finnish Lapphund has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund by measuring the temperaments of 43 Yorkshire Terriers and 8 Finnish Lapphunds.

    Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund

    The Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier versus Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    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 Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Yorkshire Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Lapphund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Yorkshire Terrier is 9 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Lapphund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier

    Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    Popularity of Finnish Lapphund

    `
    Year Yorkshire Terrier Popularity Rank Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank
    2013 6 171
    2014 6 173
    2015 7 169
    2016 9 173
    2017 9 173
    2018 10 161
    2019 12 165
    2020 13 165
    2021 13 168

    Health Problems of Yorkshire Terrier versus Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Yorkshire Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Finnish Lapphund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Yorkshire Terrier than for the Finnish Lapphund.

    7 health tests are recommended for Yorkshire Terrier while 6 tests are recommended for the Finnish Lapphund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Yorkshire Terriers and in Finnish Lapphunds.

    Yorkshire Terrier Health Problems

    Yorkshire Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Yorkshire Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Yorkshire Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Yorkshire Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Yorkshire Terriers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cornell DNA Bank
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- Prior to the onset of breeding, recommend evaluations at 1, 3, and 6 Years of Age.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Yorkshire Terriers here.

    Finnish Lapphund Health Problems

    Finnish Lapphunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Finnish Lapphund puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Finnish Lapphund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Finnish Lapphund breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Finnish Lapphunds for:

  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Finnish Lapphunds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Yorkshire Terriers and Finnish Lapphunds

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Yorkshire Terrier Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    This is because the Yorkshire Terrier ranks 1 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 321 Yorkshire Terriers, 9 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Yorkshire Terriers, and how common these diseases are in Yorkshire Terriers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 1 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 3 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 23 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 88 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 159 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Finnish Lapphund Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Finnish Lapphund ranks 74 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 160 Finnish Lapphunds, 3 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Finnish Lapphunds, and how common these diseases are in Finnish Lapphunds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 74 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 86 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 90 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 119 out of 198 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Yorkshire Terrier and in Finnish Lapphund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund:

    `
    Disease Yorkshire Terrier Rank Finnish Lapphund Rank
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 1 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 3 out of 145 dog breeds 74 out of 145 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems 23 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 88 out of 182 dog breeds 90 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 159 out of 198 dog breeds 119 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 86 out of 144 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund

    Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Yorkshire Terriers shed more than Finnish Lapphunds?

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

    Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Finnish Lapphund?

    Yorkshire Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Finnish Lapphund?

    Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Finnish Lapphunds?

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

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

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Finnish Lapphund?

    Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Finnish Lapphund

    Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Yorkshire Terriers and Finnish Lapphunds?

    Yorkshire Terriers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Does the Yorkshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Lapphund?

    Yorkshire Terriers 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.

    Finnish Lapphunds 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 Yorkshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Lapphunds?

    Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Yorkshire Terrier vs. Finnish Lapphund

    Yorkshire Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Finnish Lapphunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Is the Yorkshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Lapphund?

    Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Finnish Lapphund?

    Yorkshire Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Yorkshire Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Yorkshire Terrier compares to other breeds aside from the Finnish Lapphund. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier to other breeds:

    Yorkshire Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Spitz     Yorkshire Terrier versus Kooikerhondje     Yorkshire Terrier versus Labradoodle     Yorkshire Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Pomsky     Yorkshire Terrier versus Cane Corso     Yorkshire Terrier versus Whoodle     Yorkshire Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound     Yorkshire Terrier versus Maremma Sheepdog     Yorkshire Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     Yorkshire Terrier versus Dalmatian     Yorkshire Terrier versus Black Russian Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Silky Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Tibetan Terrier     Yorkshire Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     

    Conclusion: Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Lapphund. 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 Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Lapphund better suits you and your family.