Is the Finnish Spitz or the Norwegian Lundehund better for families with children?

Both the Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Lundehund are considered good with children when properly socialised and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Finnish Spitz or the Norwegian Lundehund?

The Finnish Spitz and Norwegian Lundehund shed a similar amount (high).

Which is easier to train, the Finnish Spitz or the Norwegian Lundehund?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is Finnish Spitz or Norwegian Lundehund bigger?

Finnish Spitz is the larger breed; Norwegian Lundehund is smaller and more compact.

Which barks more, Finnish Spitz or Norwegian Lundehund?

Finnish Spitz tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Norwegian Lundehund is the quieter choice.

Which is better for apartment living, Finnish Spitz or Norwegian Lundehund?

For apartment or flat living, Norwegian Lundehund has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Finnish Spitz vs Norwegian Lundehund: Which Is Quieter?

Finnish Spitz vs Norwegian Lundehund: full comparison

Trait	Finnish Spitz	Norwegian Lundehund
Size	Medium	Small
Energy level	High	High
Trainability	Medium	Medium
Friendliness	Medium	Medium
Good with children	Medium	Medium
Grooming needs	Medium	Medium
Shedding	High	High
Barking	Very High	Medium
Protectiveness	Medium	Medium
Adaptability	Medium	Low
Typical lifespan	13 years	12 years
Hypoallergenic	No	No

Key differences at a glance

The Finnish Spitz is a larger dog than the Norwegian Lundehund, which affects space, food and exercise needs.
The Finnish Spitz has noticeably higher barking than the Norwegian Lundehund.

Size and living space

The Finnish Spitz is a moderately built dog that adapts to an average home, with a little outdoor space preferred. By comparison, the Norwegian Lundehund is a small but sturdy breed that fits small homes easily and never crowds a room. If space, transport or budget are tight, the smaller of the two is the more practical choice.

Exercise and energy needs

The Finnish Spitz needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced. The Norwegian Lundehund needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Finnish Spitz needs consistent brushing to keep the coat healthy and leaves a noticeable amount of hair on furniture and clothing. The Norwegian Lundehund needs consistent brushing to keep the coat healthy and leaves a noticeable amount of hair on furniture and clothing. Grooming upkeep is similar for both.

Temperament, training and family life

The Finnish Spitz is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, is highly vocal, which matters in a flat or a terraced house and gets on with children when raised around them. The Norwegian Lundehund is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions, gives voice moderately, typically when something warrants it and gets on with children when raised around them. On guarding instinct, Finnish Spitz will let you know someone is at the door without being aggressive, whereas Norwegian Lundehund will let you know someone is at the door without being aggressive.

Which is better for…

For apartment or flat living, Norwegian Lundehund has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Finnish Spitz and Norwegian Lundehund are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Finnish Spitz has the edge, as it is easier to train and more forgiving of beginner mistakes.
For being left alone during the workday, Norwegian Lundehund has the edge, coping better with independence and being quieter when unsupervised.
For allergy sufferers, Finnish Spitz and Norwegian Lundehund are an even match — either can work well.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Finnish Spitz if you want a more adaptable dog, you want a bigger, more substantial dog, or you want a longer-lived breed.

Choose the Norwegian Lundehund if you prefer a quieter dog or you want a smaller, more apartment-friendly dog.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Finnish Spitz or the Norwegian Lundehund better for families with children?: Both the Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Lundehund are considered good with children when properly socialised and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Finnish Spitz or the Norwegian Lundehund?: The Finnish Spitz and Norwegian Lundehund shed a similar amount (high).
Which is easier to train, the Finnish Spitz or the Norwegian Lundehund?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is Finnish Spitz or Norwegian Lundehund bigger?: Finnish Spitz is the larger breed; Norwegian Lundehund is smaller and more compact.
Which barks more, Finnish Spitz or Norwegian Lundehund?: Finnish Spitz tends to be the more vocal of the two, so Norwegian Lundehund is the quieter choice.
Which is better for apartment living, Finnish Spitz or Norwegian Lundehund?: For apartment or flat living, Norwegian Lundehund has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Finnish Spitz vs Norwegian Lundehund