Huntaway vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Huntaway vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed ComparisonFinnish Lapphund is originated from Finland but Huntaway is originated from New Zealand. Finnish Lapphund may grow 14 cm / 5 inches shorter than Huntaway. Finnish Lapphund may weigh 22 kg / 48 pounds lesser than Huntaway. Both Finnish Lapphund and Huntaway has same life span. Both Finnish Lapphund and Huntaway has same litter size. Finnish Lapphund requires Moderate Maintenance. But Huntaway requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
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Finland
New Zealand
Height Male:
40 - 52 cm
15 - 21 inches
56 - 66 cm
22 - 26 inches
Height Female:
40 - 52 cm
15 - 21 inches
52 - 62 cm
20 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
15 - 24 kg
33 - 53 pounds
25 - 46 kg
55 - 102 pounds
Weight Female:
15 - 24 kg
33 - 53 pounds
20 - 35 kg
44 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 7
5 - 7
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Lapponian Shepherd Dog, Lapinkoira, Finish Lapland Dog
New Zealand Huntaway, New Zealand Sheepdog
Colors Available:
Tan, black, brown, yellowish
commonly black and tan, tricolour, variable
Coat:
Long and dense
smooth or rough
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Responsive, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

finnish lapphundKnown also as the Lapinkoira, Lapponian Shepherd Dog or Finish Lapland Dog, it is believed that the Finnish Lapphund is an ancient dog breed, dating back way back to 7000 B.C.

The breed had its origins as a reindeer herder with the Sami people, being both herder and protector. In Finland, the first breed standards for the dog were set in 1945 by the Finnish Kennel Club. They called the dog the Lappish Herder.

The first American litter was born in 1988 and it was in 1994 that the breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club, becoming a recognized breed in the Herding Group in 2011.

huntawayThe Huntaway or New Zealand Huntaway is a herding dog that originated in the New Zealand sheep country. Their main purpose is to drive sheep and they are not an old breed. They were developed late in the 19th century for their working skills. The only real criteria was that they were black and tan. A dog must win a trial in order to be placed in the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association studbook. They drive sheep mainly through their deep, loud voice.

In the New Zealand high country there was a need for a working dog with stamina, agility and intelligence to work the sheep as a drover (herder). The dog had to be able to handle rough, steep land and work with very large groups of sheep. The sheer area of land that the sheep graze and the dog would have to cover, demanded that this dog have stamina and strength to cover large pasture land and work for days if necessary. Before this the shepherds had used British sheepdogs but they preferred dogs that barked while working. So they bred the British Sheepdogs with Collies, Border Collies, Labrador, Rottweiler, Doberman and other barking sheepdogs to create the Huntaway. In addition to the bark, they bred for stamina and size.

They were participating in field trails in 1870 and ads for them were seen in newspapers by 1884. They became a separate breed in the 20th century. Today they are spreading around the world and are becoming very popular. It is not recommended that they be kept as pets however, since they are true working dogs.

Description

finnish lapphund puppy - descriptionLooking quite a bit like the Samoyed, Siberian Husky or Australian Shepherd, the Finnish Lapphund stands at between 40 and 52cm and weighing 15 to 24kg.

The Finnish Lapphund is a medium sized dog with a friendly, sweet face.He has a beautiful soft cuddly kind of coat that is medium to long in length and essentially straight. The dense undercoat provides insulation and shouldn’t be trimmed.The dog comes in different colors such as tan brown, yellowish and black. The ears are erect and the tail is bushy, curling over the back.

Temperament:

One characteristic of this dog which can irritate some people is that he has a tendency to bark. This characteristic of his makes him a good watch dog though. He is a friendly dog who wants to do the right thing, and training and socialization can ensure that he is always obedient and amicable.

Intelligent and alert, your pet is an intelligent dog and training him won’t prove to be difficult.It is a dog which craves companionship from his human family and he wants to be included in all his family’s activities. He wants to accompany you on all your running- and cycling activities. He gets on well with children in the home with his gentle nature, being a particularly friendly breed.

huntaway puppy - descriptionThe Huntaway is a large dog with a deep chest and a black and tan coat. They are strong, big and muscular with voices to match. They herd, head, work the sheep in pastures and force them into pens. They are bred to have that big authoritative, deep bark. They do not yap. Their bodies are well proportioned but longer than high. They have well - padded feet and a deep chest for stamina, along with strong legs and body that allows them to run fast and change directions at will.

The tail of a Huntaway if long, while their heads are shaped like blocks while the muzzle is long and the nose is black. They have dark, round eyes and long ears. An unusually attractive dog, they have dense fur with fringe on the tail and chest. There is characteristics a very large variety in the in the way the breed looks from one dog to the next. Thus they do not participate in confirmation events, as the standard is based on working characteristics rather than appearance guidelines. They are more a “class” than a “breed”.

Characteristics

finnish lapphund dog - characteristicsThe Finnish Lapphund is an active and alert dog who just loves to fuss around his human family. He has many good qualities that make him the perfect family pet. It is why he is often referred to as an all-rounder.

He is a calm, friendly non-aggressive dog who wants to be co-operative with his owners. He has the tendency to bark. With a friendly, happy face, he is essentially just a big teddy bear and if you treat him well he is going to make sure that he showers you with his special love and loyalty.

Children friendliness

huntaway dog - characteristicsThey are very good with children and love to play with them.

Special talents

Stamina, speed and independence

Adaptability

Not really. Don’t do well in small spaces. Better off in the country.

Learning ability

Very intelligent, quick learner, loves learning new things.

Health Problems

finnish lapphund puppies - health problemsRegarded as generally healthy, the Finnish Lapphund can reach anything between 12 and 14 years of age. There are however one or two common dog illnesses that your Finnish Lapphund might be more prone to and these are hip and elbow dysplasia as well as progressive retinal atrophy.

While the occurrences of these illnesses is rare, they can happen with your Finnish Lapphund. Whenever you notice something untoward with your pet, get him to the vet immediately.

huntaway puppies - health problemsThe Huntaway is a pretty healthy breed, developed as it was from the sheepdogs and collies. They still face some inherited issues such as:

  • Hip dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis
  • Cancer of bone – life threatening
  • Ear Infections – long eared dogs are prone to infections
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IIIA (MPS IIIA) – rare metabolic issue can cause neurological problems.
  • Dilated Caridomyopathy (DCM) – enlarged heart can cause heart failure

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

finnish lapphund dogs - caringWith his beautiful, thick coat the Finnish Lapphund sheds quite heavily during certain seasons. The double coat will certainly require a good brushing at least twice a week to remove dirt, burrs and grass.

Diet:

All dogs deserve a high quality dog food which is appropriate to the breed, the age of the dog, his size and his activity levels.

You want to ensure that your pet gets all the right vitamins and minerals he requires for good health. If you aren’t sure what to feed your pet on, speak to your vet. Home-made food is always a good idea too as it provides some variety to your pet’s diet. Cooked rice, vegetables and chicken becomes a tasty, nutritious treat when added into his kibble. Also try to add in some raw meat when you can as well to ensure his skin and coat remain healthy. Cool, fresh water is to be supplied night and day non-stop.

Exercise:

Your Finnish Lapphund isn’t the kind of dog who is going to be bounding around you demanding exercise. He is a calm dog with moderate exercise requirements. He will love to join you on a walk every day and some ball games will satisfy him.

Feeding the Puppy

huntaway dogs - caringIf you are not using your Huntaway to herd, then feed a medium formula not a high protein, high calorie formula. Feed 3-4 times a day and 1-2 cups.

Feeding the adult

3 cups per day feeding twice a day high quality medium calorie food.

Points for Good Health

Exceptional stamina

Games and Exercises

This herding breed has a great need of mental and physical stimulation. They were born to herd and to do so over vast tracts of land in challenging conditions. They need to be challenged. They need daily exercise at a very high level. A Run them every day or take them on a couple of long walks. They will excel in field trials, Barnhunt, agility and rescue. They love to learn.

Comparison with other breeds

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  29. Finnish Lapphund vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Finnish Lapphund vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Finnish Lapphund vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Finnish Lapphund vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Finnish Lapphund vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Finnish Lapphund vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Finnish Lapphund vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Finnish Lapphund vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Finnish Lapphund vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Finnish Lapphund vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Finnish Lapphund vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Finnish Lapphund vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Finnish Lapphund vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Finnish Lapphund vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Finnish Lapphund vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Finnish Lapphund vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Finnish Lapphund vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Finnish Lapphund vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Finnish Lapphund vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Finnish Lapphund vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Finnish Lapphund vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Finnish Lapphund vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison