Even though these dogs can become quite large, the Finnish Spitz needs a lot of room for exercise and will need to be outdoors on a frequent basis. The dogs make excellent running or jogging companions, and they are most content when they have been busy all day running and exploring, and can rest at your feet at night! These dogs do not fare well being chained up all day, and need frequent exercise to stay busy. It does stay inactive indoors, and is best suited for cooler climates as a result.
Description
The Finnish Spitz is a fox-like dog, and is commonly mistaken for a fox in its formative years. Recognized by its honey-colored double coat and pointed muzzle, these dogs are exceptionally well-bred and have distinct features and coloring. The nose and lips are black, and the dogs have a distinctive smile. This medium-sized dog stands tall and erect, and will maintain good form.
The teeth meet together in a scissors bite, and the dogs have a deep chest that reach down to the elbows. These dogs have plumed tails that curl up over the back and down the sides of their bodies, and the feet are round, almost cat-like in appearance. While the dog's body is compact and squarish, it does carry itself highly and has a strong carriage.
The dog's coat is thick and has medium-length hair with a thick under-layer. The undercoat is straight and the standard colors are red-brown or yellowish-red. These dogs often have small white markings, and the puppies are born much darker than their elders where they acquire a reddish coat in later years. The fox-like characteristics and confident personality are the dominant features of this dog.
Known for its well-balanced body and symmetrical features, the dog has brisk movement and exaggerated features. The male versions of this breed have coarse features and the feminine versions have strong silhouettes with a refined stature and strong looks as well. These dogs are excellent for hunting small game and birds, and have pointed muzzles that are naturally trained for sniffing and hunting. A strong bark and key visual skills are additional characteristics of the Finnish Spitz. Training is simple and can be achieved effectively after a steady period of time. The dog is eager to please and tends to stay loyal to its owners and masters.
These dogs need to be outdoors as much as possible, and will be just fine in colder weather since they can stay warm easily. The dogs are good housekeepers, but they may become bored easily. It is important to provide stimulating environments and activities so that they do not become bored, restless, or self-destructive.
The Finnish Spitz has a natural red, gold, and red gold tone with white markings. The undercoat is short and soft and is usually made up of a white covering. The dogs have medium coats that offer them strong weather protection, and since they are from an Arctic climate, they can easily adapt to cooler weather.
History
The Finnish Spitz has historically been brought over from the Volga River Area of Central Russia, and evolved from the hunting tribes of Finland over 2000 years ago. It has become the national dog of Finland, and has often been mentioned in several Finnish patriotic songs. The breed is widely known throughout Scandinavian countries, and it was first recognized by the AKC in 1987. The first Finnih Sptizes were thoroughly inbred during the 1880s, and the first English Spitzes arrived in England in 1927.
These dogs make excellent family pets and have also been found to be good estate dogs. They are also excellent at hunting birds, and they can maintain careful watch over families and small children. Astute, swift, and intelligent, these dogs display many fox-like mannerisms. It is important that they are trained appropriately and managed with care; they have long been bred with an aggressive streak and have a tendency to fall into overly aggressive patterns as a result of their heritage.
A healthy and well-bred dog, the Finnish Spitz is handsome in appearance and strong as a leader.
Temperament
A natural hard worker, the Finnish Spitz trots and walks with a lively grace, and has a natural affinity for speed. Always active and overtly friendly, these dogs are brave but also very cautious. They are fox-like in both manner and action, and they have a tendency toward unprovoked aggression. The Finnish Spitz is brave, lively, and always alert; it is attentive as well, and will listen to commands and direction from its master. Patience is required during obedience training, as this dog can become difficult to manage at various periods of time. These dogs make great companions, and are pleasant to be aroudn with family members of all ages. They are especially good with children and older adults, and although they are slow to mature, they have a friendly manner to them.
The male versions of this breed can be exceptionally domineering and very aggressive. This is a natural trait that can be changed with the appropriate training and handling, and the female versions are also somewhat stronger than other breeds. However, these dogs may also be reserved and aloof with strangers, and they are generally good with other pets as well. This dog requires a lot of patience and understanding as it can become quite stubborn if it feels threatened. Using a consistent manner and formal training procedures can help make training more effective and successful; after a short period of time, these dogs will naturally bond with their owners and can perform skills and tricks quite well as a result.
The Finnish Spitz will bond positively with strangers and does not have a tendency to attack. However, they are also known as the 'barking bird dog' in Finland because of their unique bark and tone. They have been known to bark in a chirrup-style manner that can become irritating if it is unrestrained. These dogs have been bred for many centuries to emphasize their barking behaviors, and this is a distinct quality of their vocalization abilities. If the dog's barking becomes a problem, it can become difficult to control. These dogs tend to fall into a barking habit when they are left outside alone for extended periods of time, or when they become restless and bored.
These dogs have a strong stamina and endurance, and will fare well with a variety of activities. They are built for high performance, and will work up a strong routine in a very short period of time.
Naturally intelligent and curious, these dogs make wonderful pets for families of all ages and backgrounds. They are strong protectors, and bond well with their owners consistently.
Health Problems
The Finnish Spitz is a healthy breed and has one of the lowest frequencies for Health Problems. However, there are some special medical conditions to be aware of including:
The Finnish Spitz has a self-cleaning coat since it is considered to be an Arctic dog. This requires little maintenance overall, but regular grooming with a brush and comb is important to remove dead hair. The coat does not have a strong odor, and the dog is a seasonal heavy shedder. The rich coat can stay lustrous and thick year round, and the dog will enjoy regular care and maintenance.
Brushing this dog at least 2-3 times per week will help keep the coat looking shiny, tidy, and glossy. These dogs look especially well-groomed and well-maintained after a good bath, and bathing at a professional grooming place will help them look their best year round. The soft undercoat can be brushed on a regular basis to keep the dog even more clean. Nails should be trimmed as necessary, and bathing or dry shampooing services will help this dog stay in good shape.
Taking these dogs to the vet can serve as a preventative measure for disease and poor health, and these dogs will need to be checked for ticks. Trimming of the whiskers is recommended, and these dogs fare well with a natural wash on a regular basis. The dogs enjoy eating and will have a natural tendency to become overweight if they are not fed appropriately. It is important to provide carrot and other vegetables as a chew toy to maintain good health of their teeth.
Exercise
The Finnish Spitz requires extended amounts of exercise and will need to be taken outdoors at least once per day, ideally twice per day. The dog is intelligent enough to pick up new skills and tricks on a regular basis, and will happily engage in new activities. Taking the dog to the park or other open spaces is ideal for making sure it receives the appropriate amount of exercise. Jogging and running with their owners is another wonderful opportunity for bonding, and these dogs fare well with frequent intensive exercise sessions.
Playing fetch or using a Frisbee are additional activities that offer appropriate exercise for this dog, and even swimming can be valuable to them. This dog is quite independent, and will come up with its own activities if it is bored or restless. It is important to train them during regular exercise sessions, and two walks per day should suffice. These dogs enjoy cooler climates and outdoor walks during the wintertime work well for them.
These dogs are natural hunters, and will use their noses and scent capabilities to take part in different activities outside. It's important to keep them on a leash, as they do have a high energy level and may wander. They can be very well trained to pick up scents, and have a natural ability to hunt and discover. They will attack with swiftness and ease, and it is important to remember this when developing in effective training program.
Training
The Finnish Spitz is a very smart, astute, confident, and intelligent breed. It learns new skills very quickly and they are easy to train with the appropriate amount of attention and care. These dogs are not difficult to train but they can become stubborn if they are overly anxious or fearful. It is important to work with them in a relaxed manner whenever possible. These dogs are willful and bold, and will perform at a high level once they are comfortable and have respect for their owners.
The Finnish Spitz has often been used in competition as a showdog with many of its virtuous traits and qualities. These dogs are impressive hunters, racers, and rescuers and can be trained from a very early age. They are sensitive to cues and owner demands, and will perform tricks as needed. Firmness and consistency are important for these dogs, and the best type of training is both motivational and playful. These dogs enjoy being outdoors and training them with 2-3 fifteen minute sessions per day is ideal. They are natural explorers, and taking them outside to new environments can also help improve their skills.
It is important to remember that this dog has become famous as a 'barking hunting dog' and it can be a very valuable asset during hunting phases. If it finds itself in an unpleasant situation, it will bark excessively but this acts more as a warning and the dog rarely bites. This dog makes an excellent watchdog, and will become naturally protective of its family. It has a special love for children and a strong sense of duty towards its owners.
Since the dog is exceptionally sensitive, it can pick up on harsh tones of owners and other any tension or bickering amongst family members as well. It is important to train these dogs with a positive tone and make sure they are addressed with firm and gentle voice. They respond well to touch but become too 'soft' without the appropriate control. Training needs to be brief and direct as these dogs are easily bored and may require ongoing obedience classes in conjunction with at-home training.
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Ratings and Attributes
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