Side by side
Put a few breeds side by side before you make up your mind.
Pick up to four. The URL updates as you go, so you can send this comparison to whoever you are arguing with.
| Breed |  Papillon |  Finnish Lapphund |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Descended from the small spaniels of Renaissance Europe, the breed appears in paintings by Titian and Rubens beside noblewomen. The erect, fringed ears that give it its name, French for butterfly, became the defining feature in the late nineteenth century. | Finland |
| Group | Toy | Pastoral |
| Size | Toy | Medium |
| Coat | Long, silky, single coat with fringed ears and a plumed tail; white with patches of any colour | Thick, profuse double coat, weatherproof |
| Weight | 3 to 4.5 kg | 15 to 24 kg |
| Height | 20 to 28 cm | 41 to 52 cm |
| Lifespan | 13 to 16 yrs | 12 to 15 yrs |
| Exercise need | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Affection | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Grooming needs | 4/10 | 5/10 |
| Barking | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Good with children | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Good with other dogs | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Trainability | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Prey drive | 5/10 | 4/10 |
| Copes alone | 4/10 | 4/10 |
| Drool | 1/10 | 2/10 |
| Shedding | 4/10 | 8/10 |
| Flat fit | 8/10 | 4/10 |
| Running cost | €113 / month | €89 / month |
Papillon verdict
A big-dog brain behind the butterfly ears.
Get one if
- · Owners who want a small dog they can actually train and do activities with
- · Flats and small homes, with barking managed from the start
- · Households with gentle, older children or adults only
Think again if
- · Families with toddlers or boisterous young children
- · Owners wanting a passive lap dog that needs no training
- · Households out all day; the breed bonds hard and dislikes long solitude
Finnish Lapphund verdict
The friendly reindeer herder
Get one if
- · Active families wanting a friendly northern breed
- · Owners interested in agility, obedience or herding
- · Cold-climate households
Think again if
- · Homes needing a quiet dog
- · Low-activity households
- · Allergy sufferers