Side-by-side comparison: temperament, exercise, grooming, health, and cost of ownership.
The national dog of Finland, a fox-like spitz breed famous for its bark-pointing hunting style. Finnish Spitz are lively, friendly dogs with a stunning golden-red coat and an unmistakable yodel-like bark.
One of the most intelligent dog breeds, the Poodle combines elegance with athleticism. Their hypoallergenic curly coat and keen mind make them ideal for allergy sufferers who want a trainable companion.
Quick Answer
Choose Finnish Spitz if you want better with kids. Choose Poodle if you want easier to train and more apartment-friendly.
Finnish Spitz
Attribute
Poodle
Size
Weight
Height
Lifespan
Trainability
Energy
Good with Kids
Shedding
Grooming
Apartment
Health
Price
Finnish Spitz sheds more; Poodle is easier to maintain.
Finnish Spitz
Poodle
Shedding
Grooming Needs
Shedding is a major differentiator. The Finnish Spitz is a prolific shedder (4/5) — expect fur on your clothes, furniture, and car seats year-round.
Finnish Spitz is less expensive to own annually.
Finnish Spitz
Poodle
Both breeds cost a similar amount upfront — $1,000–$2,000 for a Finnish Spitz versus $1,000–$3,000 for a Poodle. Where the real cost differences emerge is in ongoing expenses.
Both breeds have similar temperaments.
Finnish Spitz
Poodle
Playfulness
Barking Level
Energy
When you live with a Finnish Spitz, you'll notice their lively, friendly and alert character in everything they do. A Poodle, by contrast, shows a intelligent, elegant and athletic nature.
Training difficulty is a major difference. The Poodle (5/5) is eager to please and picks up commands quickly — one of the most trainable breeds out there.
Finnish Spitz is better suited for families with children.
Finnish Spitz
Poodle
Good with Kids
Good with Dogs
Strangers
The Finnish Spitz has a slight edge with children (5/5 vs 4/5). Both breeds can do well in families, but the Finnish Spitz's lively temperament gives it a small advantage around young kids.
Poodle is the larger breed; Finnish Spitz is more compact.
Finnish Spitz
Poodle
Weight (kg)
Height (cm)
These two breeds look nothing alike. The Poodle is a medium breed at 18–32 kg (40–71 lbs) and 38–61 cm (15–24 in), while the Finnish Spitz is a medium breed at just 10–14 kg (22–31 lbs) and 39–50 cm (15–20 in).
Both breeds have similar exercise requirements.
Finnish Spitz
Poodle
Energy Level
Exercise Needs
Apartment Friendly
Exercise won't be the deciding factor here — both the Finnish Spitz and Poodle need high daily activity (4/5). Both are athletic breeds that thrive with active owners.
Both breeds have similar health profiles.
Finnish Spitz
Poodle
Lifespan (years)
Health Robustness
Both breeds have comparable lifespans — 13–15 years for the Finnish Spitz and 12–15 years for the Poodle. You can expect a similar length of companionship from either breed, all else being equal.
On balance, the Poodle has the edge — it's easier to train (5/5 vs 3/5), more apartment-friendly (3/5), less shedding (1/5). For most families, the Poodle is the more practical choice, particularly if you value an easy-to-train companion.
Question 1 of 3
Do you have children at home?
The Finnish Spitz and Poodle are both popular breeds, but they suit different lifestyles. The key differences: Finnish Spitz sheds considerably more, Poodle is notably easier to train. Annual ownership costs are lower for the Finnish Spitz by roughly $600/year.
Choose Finnish Spitz if...
Choose Poodle if...
Neither may be right if...
Both the Finnish Spitz and Poodle have high energy needs (4/5 and 4/5 respectively). If you live in a small apartment without park access or can't commit to 60+ minutes of daily exercise, consider a lower-energy breed like a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or Shih Tzu instead.
Looking for more options?
The Finnish Spitz scores 5/5 for being good with kids, making it the better family choice compared to the Poodle's 4/5. The Finnish Spitz is specifically recommended for families.
The Poodle is easier to train, scoring 5/5 versus the Finnish Spitz's 3/5. The Poodle's eagerness to please makes training sessions more productive.
A Finnish Spitz puppy costs $1,000–$2,000 while a Poodle costs $1,000–$3,000. Annual maintenance runs about $1,080 for the Finnish Spitz and $1,650 for the Poodle. The Poodle costs more to maintain annually.
The Finnish Spitz lives 13–15 years on average, while the Poodle lives 12–15 years. The Finnish Spitz generally has a longer lifespan. Proper diet, exercise, and regular vet care help maximize lifespan for either breed.
The Poodle adapts better to apartment living (3/5) than the Finnish Spitz (2/5). The Poodle ranks among our best apartment breeds.