Last Updated: Apr 09, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Yorkshire Terrier Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
- Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
- Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Spitz
- The Similarities Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Spitz
- Size Comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Spitz
- Lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Spitz
- Temperament of the Finnish Spitz Versus the Yorkshire Terrier
- Price of Yorkshire Terrier versus Price of Finnish Spitz
- The Intelligence of the Yorkshire Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz
- The Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier versus Popularity of Finnish Spitz
- Tolerates Being Alone: Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Spitz
- Do Yorkshire Terriers shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
- Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- Is the Yorkshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
- Which one drools more, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Finnish Spitz
- How Kid-friendly are Yorkshire Terriers and Finnish Spitzs?
- Does the Yorkshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
- Do Yorkshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Yorkshire Terrier vs. Finnish Spitz
- Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Yorkshire Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Spitz. Which One is a Better Pet?
Yorkshire Terrier Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Spitz? 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 Spitz 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 Spitz.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Spitz 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 Spitz. 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 Spitz.
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 Spitz.
Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
A very important difference between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Spitz is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Yorkshire Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Finnish Spitz 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 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.
Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Yorkshire Terrier to the Finnish Spitz 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 Spitz
| Factor | Yorkshire Terrier | Finnish Spitz |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 4 to 6 pounds | 20 to 35 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 8 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2420 | $900 |
| Price Range | $1600 – $2950 | $600 – $1100 |
| Temperament Score | 83.7 percent | 72.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 9 | 180 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 27 | 43 |
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 Spitz. 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 Spitz is 77 out of 125.
Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Finnish Spitz, we still believe that the Yorkshire Terrier is a better pet than the Finnish Spitz.
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!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Spitz
Below is a list of where the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Spitz are most different:
The Similarities Between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Spitz
The Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Spitz are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Spitz are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Spitz
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Spitz.
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 Spitz weighs 20 to 35 pounds when fully grown. The Finnish Spitz is 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Spitz
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 Spitz is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Finnish Spitz is 13.5 years.
The Finnish Spitz live as long as the Yorkshire Terrier.
Temperament of the Finnish Spitz Versus the Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier has a better temperament than the Finnish Spitz.
This is because the temperament score for the Yorkshire Terrier is 83.7 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 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 72.7 percent, the Finnish Spitz has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Yorkshire Terrier and the Finnish Spitz by measuring the temperaments of 43 Yorkshire Terriers and 11 Finnish Spitzs.
Price of Yorkshire Terrier versus Price of Finnish Spitz
The average price of the Yorkshire Terrier puppy is $2420. The price of the Yorkshire Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2950. However, the price of a Yorkshire Terrier can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 957 Yorkshire Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.
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 the Finnish Spitz can be as low as $500 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 3 Finnish Spitz puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Yorkshire Terrier is more expensive than the Finnish Spitz.
`| Yorkshire Terrier | Finnish Spitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2420 | $900 |
| Price Range | $1600 to $2950 | $600 to $1100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Yorkshire Terrier and Finnish Spitz. For different price points, the charts show how many Yorkshire Terrier puppies or how many Finnish Spitz puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Yorkshire Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Finnish Spitzs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Yorkshire Terrier puppy or the Finnish Spitz 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills 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 Yorkshire Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz
`| Yorkshire Terrier | Finnish Spitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 27 out of 130 dog breeds | 43 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Yorkshire Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 27 out of 130 dog breeds. The Yorkshire Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Yorkshire Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
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 Yorkshire Terrier is more intelligent than the Finnish Spitz.
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 Yorkshire Terrier versus Popularity of Finnish Spitz
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 Spitz over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Yorkshire Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Spitz. 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 Spitz is 180 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Yorkshire Terrier
Popularity of Finnish Spitz
| Year | Yorkshire Terrier Popularity Rank | Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 | 170 |
| 2014 | 6 | 174 |
| 2015 | 7 | 178 |
| 2016 | 9 | 179 |
| 2017 | 9 | 177 |
| 2018 | 10 | 184 |
| 2019 | 12 | 183 |
| 2020 | 13 | 187 |
| 2021 | 13 | 191 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Spitz
Yorkshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.
Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
Do Yorkshire Terriers shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
Yorkshire Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Finnish Spitzs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
Yorkshire Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Finnish Spitzs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
Yorkshire Terriers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Yorkshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Yorkshire Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Finnish Spitzs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Yorkshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
Yorkshire Terriers are fairly easy to train.
Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Finnish Spitz
Yorkshire Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Yorkshire Terriers and Finnish Spitzs?
Yorkshire Terriers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Finnish Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Yorkshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
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 Spitzs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Yorkshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Yorkshire Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.
Finnish Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Yorkshire Terrier vs. Finnish Spitz
Yorkshire Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.
Finnish Spitzs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Yorkshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Yorkshire Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Finnish Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Yorkshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Spitz?
Yorkshire Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.
Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Yorkshire Terrier or the Finnish Spitz?
Yorkshire Terriers are very good for new dog owners.
Finnish Spitzs are OK 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 Spitz. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Yorkshire Terrier to other breeds:
Yorkshire Terrier versus Dalmatian Yorkshire Terrier versus Carolina Dog Yorkshire Terrier versus Mountain Cur Yorkshire Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff Yorkshire Terrier versus Puli Yorkshire Terrier versus Shichon Yorkshire Terrier versus Bulldog Yorkshire Terrier versus Irish Wolfhound Yorkshire Terrier versus Cane Corso Yorkshire Terrier versus Bullmastiff Yorkshire Terrier versus West Highland White Terrier Yorkshire Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer Yorkshire Terrier versus American Pit Bull Terrier
Conclusion: Yorkshire Terrier versus Finnish Spitz. 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 Spitz better suits you and your family.