Last Updated: Jun 17, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Great Dane Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
- Great Dane versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
- Great Dane versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz
- The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz
- Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Finnish Spitz
- Appearance (Colors) of the Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz
- Lifespan of Great Dane versus Finnish Spitz
- Temperament of the Finnish Spitz Versus the Great Dane
- Price of Great Dane versus Price of Finnish Spitz
- The Intelligence of the Great Dane versus the Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz
- The Popularity of Great Dane versus Popularity of Finnish Spitz
- Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Finnish Spitz
- Do Great Danes shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Finnish Spitz?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Great Dane or the Finnish Spitz?
- Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
- Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Finnish Spitz
- How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Finnish Spitzs?
- Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
- Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Finnish Spitz
- Can Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Great Dane versus Finnish Spitz. Which One is a Better Pet?
Great Dane Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Great Dane 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 Great Dane 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 Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Great Dane 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 Great Dane 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 Great Dane 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 Great Dane or the Finnish Spitz.
Great Dane versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
A very important difference between the Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Great Dane is a giant-sized dog while the Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Great Dane belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.
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.
Great Dane versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Great Dane 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 Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz
| Factor | Great Dane | Finnish Spitz |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Weight | 100 to 200 pounds | 20 to 35 pounds |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 26 to 34 inches tall at the shoulder | 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 7 to 10 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Average Lifespan | 8.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | $900 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $2000 | $600 – $1100 |
| Temperament Score | 81.5 percent | 72.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 15 | 180 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 48 | 43 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Great Dane 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 Great Dane is 73 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 Great Dane is a better pet than the Finnish Spitz.
This is because Great Danes are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Great Dane will come out on top.
Also, we are biased in favor of the Great Dane :-). We are for the Great Dane. So get a Great Dane!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz
Below is a list of where the Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz are most different:
The Similarities Between the Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz
The Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Great Dane versus Finnish Spitz
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz.
The Great Dane weighs 100 to 200 pounds when fully grown. The Great Dane is 26 to 34 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.
Appearance (Colors) of the Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz
Great Dane Colors
The Great Dane comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- Harlequin
- Merle (Blue)
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
- Brown / Chocolate
- White / Cream
- Brindle
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Merle (Red)
- Bicolor
- Gray / Blue / Silver
The Great Dane comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Brown / Chocolate
- Black
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Golden
- Merle (Blue)
- Harlequin
- Brindle
Finnish Spitz Colors
The Finnish Spitz comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
- Golden
The Finnish Spitz comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
Lifespan of Great Dane versus Finnish Spitz
The lifespan of the Great Dane is between 7 to 10 years. The average lifespan of the Great Dane is 8.5 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 longer than the Great Dane.
Temperament of the Finnish Spitz Versus the Great Dane
The Great Dane has a better temperament than the Finnish Spitz.
This is because the temperament score for the Great Dane is 81.5 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 81.5 percent, the Great Dane 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 Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz by measuring the temperaments of 314 Great Danes and 11 Finnish Spitzs.
Price of Great Dane versus Price of Finnish Spitz
The average price of the Great Dane puppy is $1560. The price of the Great Dane typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of a Great Dane can be as low as $100 and as high as $5500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1324 Great Dane 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 Great Dane is more expensive than the Finnish Spitz.
| Great Dane | Finnish Spitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1560 | $900 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $2000 | $600 to $1100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Great Dane and Finnish Spitz. For different price points, the charts show how many Great Dane puppies or how many Finnish Spitz puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Great Danes. 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 Great Dane 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 Great Dane versus the Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz
| Great Dane | Finnish Spitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 48 out of 130 dog breeds | 43 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 Great Dane has an obedience intelligence rank of 48 out of 130 dog breeds. The Great Dane belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Great Danes tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 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 Finnish Spitz is more intelligent than the Great Dane.
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 Great Dane 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 Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Great Dane is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Spitz. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Great Dane is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Spitz is 180 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Great Dane
Popularity of Finnish Spitz
| Year | Great Dane Popularity Rank | Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 16 | 170 |
| 2014 | 15 | 174 |
| 2015 | 15 | 178 |
| 2016 | 14 | 179 |
| 2017 | 14 | 177 |
| 2018 | 16 | 184 |
| 2019 | 17 | 183 |
| 2020 | 15 | 187 |
| 2021 | 17 | 191 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Great Dane versus Finnish Spitz
Great Danes do not like to be left alone.
Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
Do Great Danes shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
Great Danes shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Finnish Spitzs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Great Dane or the Finnish Spitz?
Great Danes are 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 Great Dane or the Finnish Spitz?
Great Danes get along very well with other dogs.
Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Great Danes good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Great Danes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Finnish Spitzs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Great Dane Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
Great Danes are very easy to train.
Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Great Dane or the Finnish Spitz
Great Danes have a very high tendency to drool.
Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Great Danes and Finnish Spitzs?
Great Danes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Finnish Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Great Dane Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
Great Danes have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Finnish Spitzs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Great Danes Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Great Danes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Finnish Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Great Danes Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Great Danes cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Great Dane vs. Finnish Spitz
Great Danes 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 Great Danes Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Great Danes can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Finnish Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Great Dane Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Spitz?
Great Danes do not adapt well to apartment living.
Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Great Dane or the Finnish Spitz?
Great Danes are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.
Great Dane Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Great Dane compares to other breeds aside from the Finnish Spitz. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Great Dane to other breeds:
Great Dane versus Redbone Coonhound Great Dane versus Tibetan Spaniel Great Dane versus French Bulldog Great Dane versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Great Dane versus Lagotto Romagnolo Great Dane versus Estrela Mountain Dog Great Dane versus Belgian Malinois Great Dane versus Dogue de Bordeaux Great Dane versus Pug Great Dane versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Great Dane versus Shichon Great Dane versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Great Dane versus Japanese Spitz Great Dane versus Japanese Chin Great Dane versus Finnish Spitz Great Dane versus Chorkie Great Dane versus Australian Kelpie
Conclusion: Great Dane 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 Great Dane and the Finnish Spitz better suits you and your family.