Mary Allen
Shoulder height: 40 – 50 cm
Weight: 7 – 13 kg
Age: 12 – 14 years
Colour: reddish brown or golden brown
Use: hunting dog, companion dog
The Finnish Spitz is a traditional Finnish hunting dog breed that is mainly found in Finland and Sweden. The active Finn Spitz is smart, alert, and loves to bark. It needs a lot of living space, a lot of exercise,s and meaningful activities. It is not suitable for couch potatoes or city people.
Origin and history
The Finnish Spitz is a traditional Finnish dog breed whose origins are unknown. However, dogs of this type may have been used in Finland for centuries to hunt small game, waterfowl, and elk, and later also capercaillie and black grouse. The original breeding goal was to create a dog that would even indicate game on trees by barking. The penetrating voice of the Finnenspitz is therefore also an essential characteristic of the breed. The first breed standard was created in 1892. In 1979 the Finnish Spitz was promoted to “Finnish National Dog”. Today, this dog breed is widespread in both Finland and Sweden.
Appearance
With a shoulder height of about 40-50 cm, the Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog. It is built almost square and has a broad head with a narrow snout. As with most Nordic dog breeds, the eyes are slightly slanted and almond-shaped. The ears are set high, pointed, and pricked. The tail is carried over the back.
The Finnspitz’s fur is relatively long, straight, and stiff. Due to the thick, soft undercoat, the top coat is partially or completely sticking out. The fur on the head and legs is shorter and close-fitting. The coat color is red-brown or golden-brown, although it is slightly lighter on the inside of the ears, cheeks, chest, belly, legs, and tail.
Nature
The Finnish Spitz is a lively, courageous, and confident dog. Due to his original hunting tasks, he is also used to acting very independently and autonomously. Finnish Spitz is also alert and is known to be extremely barking.
Although the Finnish Spitz is very intelligent, clever, and docile, he does not like to subordinate himself. It’s upbringing, therefore, requires a lot of consistency and patience, then you will find a cooperative partner in him.
The active Finn Spitz needs a lot of activity, exercise, and varied tasks. Unlike the Central European Spitz species – which were bred to be herding homes and to stay close to their humans – the Finnish Spitz is a hunter who seeks appropriate challenges. If he is under-challenged or bored, he goes his own way.
The Finnspitz is only suitable for active people who accept its stubborn personality and can offer sufficient living space and lots of varied activities. The coat only needs more intensive care during the shedding period.