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Description:
Finnish Spitz are lively, friendly and very
intelligent. These dogs are medium in size
with a square build giving it a well balanced
appearance. The Finnish Spitz breed has a
fox-like appearance, beautiful red-gold coat
and a plumed tail which curls up and to the
side.
The origins of the Finnish Spitz breed can
be traced back thousands of years ago. It
is believed these dogs were developed in the
region of the Volga River - which is now Finland.
However, it has also been claimed these dogs
are related to the Russian Laika which is
a type of hunting dog of Northern Russia and
Russian Siberia.
The Finnish Spitz was isolated from other
dogs in their northern region which kept the
breed pure. However, in the 1800s various
tribes came to the area and interbred their
dogs with Finnish Spitz nearly causing the
extinction of the breed. The Finnish Spitz
was saved by two sportsmen from Helsinki who
found a few dogs still pure. These sportsmen
who were impressed by the Finnish Spitz are
credited for salvaging the breed.
The Finnish Kennel Club recognized the Finnish
Spitz in 1892. The breed arrived in the United
States in 1959 and in 1975 the Finnish Spitz
Club of America was founded. Finnish Spitz
competed in the Miscellaneous Classes since
1983, but they were then eligible to compete
in the Non-Sporting Group in 1988. The Finnish
Spitz is the American Kennel Club's 130th
breed.
Height:
Males - 16 to 19 inches (44-50 cm) Females
- 14½ to 17 inches (39-45 cm)
Weight: Males - 27-33 lb
(11-13 kg) Females - 20-27 lb (8-9 kg)
Coat Type: The Finnish Spitz
has a double coat. The inner coat is soft,
short and dense and the outer has long, straight,
harshly textured guard hairs. Males have a
slightly longer and coarser coat than females
and also more have more profuse hair at the
shoulders. The coat should be brushed weekly
and only bathed when necessary. The Finnish
Spitz is a natural 'wash and wear' dog and
trimming is not needed except for under the
pads of the feet. Seasonal heavy shedder.
Color: The color of the Finnish
Spitz coat can be shades of red-gold from
pale honey to dark auburn; may have a white
patch on chest.
Temperament: Finnish Spitz
are active, friendly, loyal and very intelligent.
These dogs interact very well with people
including children and make a wonderful family
pet. Finnish Spitz can play for hours and
are generally good with other pets. It is
important to socialize these dogs early so
they are not aloof with strangers or reserved.
In addition, it is important the owner establishes
he is dominant and boss. Training should be
firm, but with a gentle voice and owners must
be patient. Finnish Spitz respond better to
praise than correction. Finish Spitz love
to hunt and will chase small animals. These
dogs are also known to bark a lot which makes
them a good watch dogs. The Finnish Spitz
breed is independent and can be stubborn.
Health Problems: Finnish
Spitz are generally healthy. Some health concerns
include: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar
luxation and epilepsy. This breed loves to
eat and can easily become overweight which
can then lead to health problems. A properly
cared for Finnish Spitz can live up to 13
- 15 years.
Special Interest:
• The Finnish Spitz has
been the national dog of Finland since 1979.
• Finnish Spitz were called the
"Finnish Barking Birddog" of Finland.
• The Finnish Spitz has also gone by
the name 'Suomenpystykorva' - which means
"Finnish cock-eared dog. It has also
been referred to as 'Finkie' where it was
nicknamed after its arrival in England in
the 1920s.
Classifications:
AKC: Non-sporting Group
ANKC:Group 4 Hounds
CKC: Group 2 - Hounds
FCI: Group 8 - Section 2 - Flushing Dogs
KC: Hound
NZKC: Hounds
UKC: Northern Breed |
