Side-by-side comparison of two popular breeds — temperament, exercise, grooming, lifespan and common health issues. Use it to decide which breed fits your home.
The Finnish Spitz (11–16 kg, 13–15 years) and the Norwegian Elkhound (20–25 kg, 12–15 years) sit in different — or sometimes overlapping — corners of dog ownership. Here's how they really compare for an everyday Irish or UK family.
Energy levels are well-matched between the Finnish Spitz and Norwegian Elkhound — both need similar daily exercise.
Both have manageable grooming routines — the Norwegian Elkhound demands slightly more, but neither needs daily fuss.
Insurance premiums for breeds with brachycephalic, joint or cancer predispositions run 20–40% above average — check before you commit. We have a free quote calculator here.
| Finnish Spitz | Norwegian Elkhound | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Non-Sporting | Hound |
| Origin | Finland | Norway |
| Weight | 11–16 kg | 20–25 kg |
| Height | 38–51 cm | 46–53 cm |
| Lifespan | 13–15 years | 12–15 years |
| Energy level | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other pets | ||
| Hypoallergenic | ||
| Watchdog instinct | ||
| Novice-owner OK |
Lively, brave, friendly, vocal. Independent thinker.
60–90 minutes daily.
Double coat. Brush 2–3× weekly, daily during seasonal moults.
Generally healthy and long-lived. Watch for: patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, epilepsy.
Full Finnish Spitz profile →Confident, friendly, loyal. Vocal — they were bred to bark to alert hunters. Good with children, suspicious of strangers.
60+ minutes daily. Built for cold-weather endurance.
Thick grey double coat sheds heavily 2× per year. Brush 2–3× weekly, daily during moult.
Generally hardy + long-lived. Watch for: hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, Fanconi syndrome.
Full Norwegian Elkhound profile →Active rural / suburban families.
Active families in cooler climates, allergy-tolerant homes, those wanting an old-soul breed.
Get the breed-specific care guide + monthly food recall alerts in your inbox. We email about once a fortnight, never spam.
No thanks, I'll find my own way →
By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy. We never share your email.
