Last Updated on August 8, 2023 by Denise Leo. Post first published on October 10, 2021.
Introduction – What is a Finnish Spitz Dog and What are the Breeds Attributes?
Finnish Spitz dogs are a Nordic breed of hunting dog with scent hound qualities. It is quite similar to most of the Spitz breeds, but with some key differences. They are sturdy but muscular dogs that are most often used as hunting companions for small game. When I look at one of these gorgeous dogs the first thing that comes to my mind is that they look rather fox-like.
The Finnish Spitz is a medium dog breed with a beautiful, thick golden coat. They have a foxy face and often have white markings on their muzzle. This breed originated in the 1800s. The Finnish Spitz was originally a companion dog for hunters, but today they are mainly kept as family pets.
The Finnish Spitz is Finland’s national dog and was originally called the Finnish Barking Birddog and the Finnish Cock-Eared Dog by the Finnish Kennel Club. He hunts small animals and birds and barks or “yodels” and points with his muzzle and head to tell his master where the prey is caught. He almost became extinct in the late 1800s when bred with other dogs but was rescued by two sportsmen from Helsinki.
He looks like a red fox with a bushy, plumed tail, erect ears and a dense, double coat. He’s intelligent, agile and lively and loves staying active and enjoying the company of his family. His coat ranges from a deep auburn to a pale honey color. As he sheds, he needs regular bathing and brushing. He must have a moderate amount of exercise. An adult Finnish Spitz stands at 15.5 – 20 inches high.
Finnish Spitz Temperament
Finnish Spitz dogs are known for being intelligent, quick to learn, and very active dogs. They shed a lot of hair so you need to brush them at least once per week. They also like to bark quite often so they might not be the best fit for households with older people or children who are sensitive to noise. However, these dogs make great companions for active families who want an energetic
The Finnish Spitz dog breed are strong-willed and independent dogs with almost human-like intelligence. They have an exquisite sense of smell and they also have the ability to hunt by sight which makes them especially useful in low visibility conditions. These attributes make them excellent hunting companions for any hunter looking to take down small game such as pheasant or rabbit.
The Finnish Spitz is a spitz-type dog. It’s an independent, intelligent, lively breed with a lot of energy. They are also an excellent watchdog!
Finnish Spitz dogs are great for people with big yards. They need plenty of space to run around and will do well with agility training and any dog sports.
The Finnish Spitz dog breed is not the best choice for apartment living or if you have small children in your home. These dogs are very vocal and reactive, so they won’t be happy in situations where they can’t bark at anything that goes on outside of their territory.
One other interesting characteristic of this kind of dog is that they are said to be “talkative”. What this means is that they like to communicate with their owners and the people they know well. This communication can be in the form of barking, howling, or even a kind of yodeling or purring. They are very vocal, which is fun, don’t you think?
Is the Finnish Spitz Dog a Good Breed?
What’s good about the Finnish Spitz Dog Breed?
Let’s take a look at the characteristics and good points of the Finnish Spitz breed:
- Great for families and they are home-loving
- Very good with children
- Very loyal
- Not normally aggressive
- Can be a good guard dog
- Wary of strangers
- Great sense of hearing and very alert
In addition to the above this breed can be trained with relative ease and the dogs are generally quick to learn as they are intelligent and eager.
All of the above points would suggest that this kind of dog is ideal for anyone considering a great family pet they can depend on and that will fit in with the family lifestyle. The typical Finnish Spitz has a wonderful personality too and is playful and sociable towards other pets or animals nearby.
Some dogs are not good choices if you have young children at home. Well, the Finnish Spitz is a good choice and loves kids. However, be aware that they can take only so much of children and will just walk away from them when they have had enough.
It is a very good idea to teach any child who regularly comes into contact with your dog to beware of disturbing it when eating or sleeping as the dog could snap without thinking. This is always a possibility, so teach your child well. These dogs are very good with people and with kids, however, it is important to never leave a child alone with your dog!
In short, this dog is a great choice and will become a loved member of any family!
What’s Bad about the Finnish Spitz Dog?
As with all dogs, there are some negatives to bear in mind as well. Pay attention to these carefully if you are thinking about getting a Finnish Spitz dog. It may not be the correct choice for you.
Here are some of the negatives:
- Its high-pitched barking can be annoying. This kind of dog may bark a lot and should never be left outside without anybody looking after it. If you do this any neighbors will most likely be inconvenienced!
- Can be aggressive to other dogs as they are hunting dogs by nature.
- They require a lot of exercise. if your dog doesn’t get enough exercise it may complain by chewing things at home and by barking even more than normal. It needs to burn off all the extra energy that it has inside and will be quite frustrated to be kept indoors too much.
- They can be a problem when let off the lead because their natural instinct is to hunt. They might run off and chase any animal they see and it can be difficult to get them back on the lead.
- They are creative thinkers and easily bored. They may even play games with you when you’d rather not! So think about whether you should be thinking of getting a more placid and easy-going dog!
- They shed quite a lot so be prepared to groom them regularly and you may have to tolerate some hairs on your clothes and furniture. However, the same can be said for many other breeds of dogs.
- They do not tolerate stress very well. Your home should be as peaceful and quiet as much as possible. Your Finnish Spitz will appreciate the consistency and hates shouting and stress in the family home.
So as you can see there are a number of significant negatives to owning this amazing dog. If you are willing to work around these and try that little bit harder to give this dog the kind of environment and care it needs, it is well worth it! You’ll absolutely love your dog and it will love you back.
Grooming and Care of Your Finnish Spitz Dog
Although it may seem like a daunting task at first, the Finnish Spitz breed doesn’t require a lot of grooming. There is usually only mild shedding and most of the time they will keep themselves clean and smelling fresh.
One thing to consider, however, is that this breed of dog comes from a cold climate and so if it lives in a warmer climate than Finland it can suffer from more shedding than normal. If you are careful and deal with this correctly, you can manage and minimize this.
Although the Finnish Spitz does require grooming to maintain its appearance, it is not hard to do.
This dog has both a top coat and an undercoat for added protection in the Finnish climate. This can cause problems in warmer climates, so take note of this if you live in a much warmer climate without a very cold winter and cool summer such as those that occur in Scandinavia.
It may be a good idea to get some basic dog grooming tools. These tools include various kinds of brushes and combs to maintain a tangle-free coat and to remove loose hair that has been shed but has stuck to the dog’s fur and been trapped there. Your dog will not only look better, but it will also feel much better if you remove this loose hair by brushing. This will also minimize the amount that your dog sheds as well.
Another important part of grooming and caring for your dog is bathing. Make sure you buy a high-quality shampoo and conditioner. It’s just not worth trying to buy something cheap, you’ll probably regret it later. There are also wipes for dogs that can help you clean places that are difficult to brush and also areas like the face and other sensitive places.
One word of warning about bathing your Finnish Spitz. These dogs do not need bathing very often or you will remove the natural oils from their coat. Make sure to bathe your dog only when it is really necessary!
Remember that by taking such good care of your dog you are showing it your love and making the dog happier. So take your time!
It is important to trim his or her nails regularly and be sure that you brush his or her teeth at least once a week.
Another common grooming concern among Finnish Spitz owners is how to maintain their coats in cold weather. A cold, harsh winter can leave your pet’s fur with static cling and clumps of dirt and debris from outside. The best way to stay on top of this is by brushing your pup every day in the winter months.
How Much Does a Finnish Spitz Cost and Where to Buy One from?
Quite a few Finnish Spitz dogs are available for sale across the United States. Prices vary depending on where you purchase your pet from and whether or not you buy a dog from a breeder or a shelter. These ranges can be anywhere from $500 to $1000, but some breeds can cost as high as $2000.
In Australia, a Finnish Spitz buying a puppy costs between $500-700 (Australian Dollars).
Don’t forget, though, that there is also an ongoing cost of feeding and looking after your dog besides the initial cost of buying your puppy. Some of the other costs involved include insurance, vet costs, shots, insurance, food, toys, etc. According to PetnetID.com, the overall costs per year of owning a Finnish Spitz is as follows:
- USA – $650
- Australia – $1500 (Australian Dollars)
- UK – £1,200 (approx.)
Health Problems of Finnish Spitz Dogs
Here is a list of some of the most common health issues associated with Finnish Spitz dogs:
- Epilepsy
- Loose knee joints
- Hip problems
- Cataracts
- Allergies
- Blood Clots
It is best to be aware of these but your vet can advise if your dog has any specific problems or if there is anything that you need to watch out for. Some of the above can become serious so they need treating as soon as you find out about any issues your dog has. For example, cataracts in the Finnish Spitz can lead to blindness in the eye.
Feeding Your New Finnish Spitz – A Complete Guide with Tips & Tricks!
Finnish Spitz dogs are a very energetic and playful breed of dog. It is therefore important to feed them in a way that they get all the energy and nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy.
These dogs need a healthy diet that can best be provided by high-quality dog food and non-fatty protein plus vegetables and fruit.
One tip from DogTime.com is to feed your dog twice a day and measure the amount of food carefully each time. I know from experience that filling the bowl with dog food and leaving it the whole day is a way to give your dog too much to eat and can lead to weight problems. So, this piece of feeding advice will ensure you train your dog to eat at regular times of the day and will ensure they eat the right amount each time and no more.
One way of checking quickly if your dog is overweight is to look and see if your pet has a clearly defined waist area. If not, it may be overweight.
Finnish Spitz Dogs Conclusion
Well now that you have read this far, I’m sure you can make a much more informed job before deciding whether or not you’d like to get a Finnish Spitz puppy, or if you visited this page in order to find out more about your pet or even just out of interest, I’m sure you now appreciate how wonderful a pet this breed really is!
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References and Further Reading:
AKC Finnish Spitz Dog Information
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