Last Updated: May 01, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
- Miniature Schnauzer versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
- Miniature Schnauzer versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz
- The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz
- Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Finnish Spitz
- Appearance (Colors) of the Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz
- Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Finnish Spitz
- Temperament of the Miniature Schnauzer Versus the Finnish Spitz
- Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of Finnish Spitz
- The Intelligence of the Miniature Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz
- The Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer versus Popularity of Finnish Spitz
- Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Finnish Spitz
- Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Finnish Spitz?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Finnish Spitz?
- Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
- Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Finnish Spitz
- How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Finnish Spitzs?
- Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
- Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Finnish Spitz
- Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
- Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer versus Finnish Spitz. Which One is a Better Pet?
Miniature Schnauzer Versus Finnish Spitz: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer or the Finnish Spitz.
Miniature Schnauzer versus Finnish Spitz: Overview
A very important difference between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer is a small-sized dog while the Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.
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.
Miniature Schnauzer versus Finnish Spitz: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz
| Factor | Miniature Schnauzer | Finnish Spitz |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 11 to 20 pounds | 20 to 35 pounds |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder | 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1950 | $900 |
| Price Range | $1400 – $2500 | $600 – $1100 |
| Temperament Score | 79.3 percent | 72.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data | |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 17 | 180 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 12 | 43 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Finnish Spitz is 77 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Miniature Schnauzer is a better pet than the Finnish Spitz. So, you should get a Miniature Schnauzer!
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz
Below is a list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz are most different:
The Similarities Between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz
The Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz are most similar:
Size Comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer versus Finnish Spitz
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz.
The Miniature Schnauzer weighs 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. The Miniature Schnauzer is 13 to 14 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz
Miniature Schnauzer Colors
The Miniature Schnauzer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Bicolor
- Gray / Blue / Silver
- Brown / Chocolate
- Black
- White / Cream
- Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
- Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
The Miniature Schnauzer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
- Black
- Gray / Blue / Silver
Finnish Spitz Colors
The Finnish Spitz comes in the following beautiful primary colors:
- Black
The Finnish Spitz comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:
- White / Cream
Lifespan of Miniature Schnauzer versus Finnish Spitz
The lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Miniature Schnauzer is 13.0 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 Miniature Schnauzer.
Temperament of the Miniature Schnauzer Versus the Finnish Spitz
The Miniature Schnauzer has a better temperament than the Finnish Spitz.
This is because the temperament score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 79.3 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 79.3 percent, the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz by measuring the temperaments of 116 Miniature Schnauzers and 11 Finnish Spitzs.
Price of Miniature Schnauzer versus Price of Finnish Spitz
The average price of the Miniature Schnauzer puppy is $1950. The price of the Miniature Schnauzer typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of a Miniature Schnauzer can be as low as $500 and as high as $8500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 913 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer is more expensive than the Finnish Spitz.
| Miniature Schnauzer | Finnish Spitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1950 | $900 |
| Price Range | $1400 to $2500 | $600 to $1100 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Miniature Schnauzer and Finnish Spitz. For different price points, the charts show how many Miniature Schnauzer puppies or how many Finnish Spitz puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Schnauzers. 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Finnish Spitz
| Miniature Schnauzer | Finnish Spitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 12 out of 130 dog breeds | 43 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 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 Miniature Schnauzer has an obedience intelligence rank of 12 out of 130 dog breeds. The Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Miniature Schnauzers tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Miniature Schnauzer is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Spitz. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Miniature Schnauzer is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Spitz is 180 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Miniature Schnauzer
Popularity of Finnish Spitz
| Year | Miniature Schnauzer Popularity Rank | Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 17 | 170 |
| 2014 | 16 | 174 |
| 2015 | 16 | 178 |
| 2016 | 17 | 179 |
| 2017 | 18 | 177 |
| 2018 | 19 | 184 |
| 2019 | 18 | 183 |
| 2020 | 19 | 187 |
| 2021 | 18 | 191 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Schnauzer versus Finnish Spitz
Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.
Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
Do Miniature Schnauzers shed more than Finnish Spitzs?
Miniature Schnauzers 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 Miniature Schnauzer or the Finnish Spitz?
Miniature Schnauzers 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 Miniature Schnauzer or the Finnish Spitz?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.
Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
Are Miniature Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Miniature Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Finnish Spitzs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Finnish Spitz?
Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.
Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.
Which one drools more, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Finnish Spitz
Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
How Kid-friendly are Miniature Schnauzers and Finnish Spitzs?
Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Finnish Spitzs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Miniature Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Finnish Spitz?
Miniature Schnauzers 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.
Finnish Spitzs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Do Miniature Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Finnish Spitzs?
Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.
Finnish Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.
Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Schnauzer vs. Finnish Spitz
Miniature Schnauzers 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 Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.
Finnish Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Is the Miniature Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Finnish Spitz?
Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.
Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Miniature Schnauzer or the Finnish Spitz?
Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.
Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.
Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds
You may also be interested in how the Miniature Schnauzer compares to other breeds aside from the Finnish Spitz. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer to other breeds:
Miniature Schnauzer versus Scottish Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Leonberger Miniature Schnauzer versus Field Spaniel Miniature Schnauzer versus Shiloh Shepherd Miniature Schnauzer versus French Spaniel Miniature Schnauzer versus Lakeland Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Dachshund Miniature Schnauzer versus Miniature Schnauzer Miniature Schnauzer versus Canaan Dog Miniature Schnauzer versus Chinook Miniature Schnauzer versus Ibizan Hound Miniature Schnauzer versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Miniature Schnauzer versus Toy Fox Terrier Miniature Schnauzer versus Keeshond Miniature Schnauzer versus Cocker Spaniel Miniature Schnauzer versus Basset Hound Miniature Schnauzer versus Dutch Shepherd Miniature Schnauzer versus Chorkie Miniature Schnauzer versus Affenhuahua
Conclusion: Miniature Schnauzer 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 Miniature Schnauzer and the Finnish Spitz better suits you and your family.