Finnish Spitz

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Finnish Spitz originated in Finland and was bred to hunt small game, elk and even bear! They are notorious for their incredibly fast barking and statistically they can bark up to 160 times in one minute. Despite their small size, this breed has mastered their hunting abilities and are so prized that historically their masters would feed them the first hunted game of the day.

This little dog has a compact, athletic body and strong, strait legs that give them their quick stride and long gait. They have a sharp muzzle, large triangular ears, and small circular eyes that give them a constant alert look. The Finnish Spitz has a tightly coiled tail with small rounded paws. Their coat is thick and straight with a variety of light red coloring giving them a similar appearance (face and coat color wise) to a fox.

The Finnish Spitz is a responsive, outgoing and affectionate breed that needs to have their owners acceptance and love in order to thrive. They are loyal and hardworking making them not only great hunters/working dogs, but also excellent companions. They make great family pets because they adore children and will get along with other smaller animals in the household as well as other dogs. Despite their hunting and barking instincts, the Finnish Spitz is not a loud dog nor are they highly prey driven making them easier to raise and train.

Color

The Finnish Spitz comes in a variety of reds ranging from blonde red to a rich brown red. Most commonly seen is the deep red which is similar in coloring to a fox. All shades of red with tiny white markings is acceptable for the AKC standards.

Coat

This breed has a thick double layered coat with the outer layer being soft and plushy to the touch. The under layer has a light cotton feel and is very warm keeping them insulated when hunting in cold weather. The Finnish Spitz must have a straight coat, wavy or curly is not accepted in shows and must be standing on end.

Personality

The Finnish Spitz is an energetic, happy dog that will need a family that has the time to spend with them. They are not a dog to be left at home or alone often because they will become very barky and depressed. They have a strong bond with their masters and will work to please them. The Finnish Spitz will be weary of people they've never met but will warm up after a few meetings. These dogs are clever and will be more difficult to train but once they have the concept, it will stay with them forever. This breed is notorious for their cleanliness because they keep themselves quite clean and don't make messes around the house. They will make a great medium sized pet and just need consistency during training and be considered part of the family to be content! The Finnish Spitz is known for their barking or noises they enjoy making so people that want a quiet dog should not consider one of these.

Care

The Finnish Spitz will need a moderate amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing 2-3 times per week and bathing when the owner feels it necessary is all they need to stay well groomed. This breed is prone to hip dysplasia, epilepsy, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and luxating patella's. They are considered one of the healthiest breeds and do not usually inherit these diseases, but the parents history should be checked just to see what their medical background is and what potentials might be passed onto their offspring.

Training

This breed is incredibly clever but will need a patient and firm owner to be able to teach them. Consistency is the key with these dogs but they also need shorter lessons and the training to be made enjoyable for obedience information to stick. Controlling the barking level of this breed is a must because if they are able, they will bark unnecessarily and will become a nuisance to the family and neighbors.

Activity

The Finnish Spitz will need about an hour of exercise per day and this can be done running at an off-leash park or on a walk. Chasing after a ball or playing with other dogs in a dog park will be much more effective to burn off their energy because these dogs need and love to run! They will do well in an apartment because they don't need the space of a household to live in and access to a backyard would be preferable but is not needed.