The Finnish Spitz is the national dog breed of Finland, developed to provide help in hunting. It was used for hunting all kind of game, from small rodent to bears. It is categorized as a bark pointer, because its role is to draw the hunters attention by barking. Barking also makes them good watchdogs.
It is a robust dog, having about the same height as length. Dew claws may appear on dogs maturity on both legs and should be removed, according to the breed standard. Something particular about this breed is their double coat. This means there are actually two coats: one shorter and denser in immediate proximity of their body, and another one longer, over the first one. The long coat can measure up to 5 cm long. The puppies are born with different colors, usually black, dark grey or brown. The color of the coat changes as the puppies grow up, so it can become yellow-red with variations, but never a solid color. The undercoat must be lighter, but it is not allowed to be white. These dogs require minimal grooming, as they are very clean dogs. A weekly brushing and a daily combing during the shedding period are recommended.
There are consistent differences in size between males and females. Males stand at around 17 to 20 inches (44.5 to 50.8 cm) while females reach around 15 to 18 inches (39.4 to 45.7 cm). Males usually weigh 26-30 pounds (1214 kg), while females weigh 16-22 pounds (7.310.0 kg).
The Finnish Spitz dogs have a lively temperament that suits active owners. They need at least one daily walk in order to keep them calm indoors. They like to spend time outdoors, especially in the snow or cold weather. They are curious and inquisitive. Therefore, owners should ensure that the yard is safely fenced.
They have a typical temperament for the Spitz breeds. They like company, but they are also quite independent, so they will not crave for attention.
A very good thing about this breed is the interaction with people, and especially with children. They behave well around children and will love to play with them a lot. Towards strangers, they are usually reserved, but never aggressive.
They also interact well with other pets, including cats and dogs. Because of their hunting instincts, they should be kept far from small pets, like rodents.
They have the tendency to bark a lot, but this behavior can be corrected with proper training. They have an independent nature, but, a consistent and well performed training will do wonders. The training must be done in a gentle, yet firm manner. Harsh training methods must never be applied, as these dogs can become stubborn and disobeying. Positive reinforcement training is the best solution for this breed.
Although a very healthy breed, some health disorders might occur. The most common are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation and epilepsy. The life expectancy is around 11 years.
The Finnish Spitz makes a wonderful pet, being an excellent guard dog and an affectionate friend to children.
