General Information

Description:

The Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized, squarely built, lively dog. The beautiful red-gold color and fox-like expression are the most important features of the breed. Small erect ears and a curled tail complete the picture. In appearance the male is decidedly masculine, usually larger and carries more coat than the female who is noticeably feminine.

Characteristics and Training:

The Finnish Spitz has been bred for centuries as a "barking hunting dog", bringing the hunter to him with his voice. It should be noted by prospective Finnish Spitz owners that while an asset in hunting, barking could cause an unpleasant situation if one has neighbors in close proximity unless the dog is taught that unprovoked barking is not acceptable. He is more a warning dog than a guard dog and rarely bites. He has acute hearing and makes an excellent watchdog, as he is protective of his family and will advise you of any unusual happenings. The Finnish Spitz is a wonderful family dog, as well as a hunting dog. He has a special love for children and will spend countless hours romping and playing. If the kids get too rough, he will simply walk away. He is a dog with a sense of family. He is slow maturing. Although a Nordic breed, he seems little concerned about heat or cold.

This is an extremely intelligent breed which becomes very much a part of the family and is a dog which should be allowed to share with the family. However, this is not the breed for every family. Households where there is tension, harshness or loud bickering should not have a Finnish Spitz. Because of his intelligence, he is an independent and strong-willed dog and cannot be bullied. He can be trained with a firm but gentle voice and touch, and responds better to praise than correction. He is easily bored, so training sessions should be kept short and interesting. Patience is a key word when training a Finnish Spitz. You may feel as if you are making no headway and all of a sudden he will surprise you. Many Finnish Spitz do well in obedience classes if trained with a praise and reward method, as opposed to a heavy hand.

With shades of red-gold from pale honey to dark auburn, the Finnish Spitz double coat consists of a short, soft, dense undercoat covered by long, straight, harshly textured guard hairs. The Finnish Spitz is a meticulously clean dog, sometimes giving the impression that they groom themselves. They should be brushed weekly, especially during coat change and should only be bathed when needed. The Finnish Spitz is a natural (wash and wear) dog on whom no trimming should be done, except under the pads of the feet. Trimming the whiskers or sculpturing for the show ring is to be heavily penalized. Nails should be kept trimmed, ears and teeth cleaned. With an annual trip to the Veterinarian and proper shots, the Finnish Spitz can live a lively long life. A Finnish Spitz 13 - 15 years is not unusual. This dog loves to eat and will do his best to get extra goodies. He is a dog that can easily get overweight, which will cause health problems in the long run. Feed a good quality dog food with few supplements. Treats should be limited and low in fat content. Some Finnish Spitz will enjoy a carrot or other vegetable or chew toy, all of which help reduce tartar and plaque build up on the teeth.

1. I’m interested in owning a Finnish Spitz. What do I need to know about them?

Finnish Spitz are lively dogs that need companionship and exercise. At the same time, they are somewhat independent, and most are not lap dogs although they will want to be in the same room with you. We recommend a fenced area where they can run (but note that the fence must be secure as they are well known escape artists!) or the ability to provide them with a healthy dose of exercise twice a day such as long walks. They are intelligent and sensitive so they require training without harsh methods but with praise and rewards when they do what you want them to. A Finkie that is treated harshly will never forget it and will never mature into the loving faithful companion that he or she should be.

2. How are they around kids and other dogs and cats?

Finkies are a wonderful family dog and they love children. They do not have the need to be attached to only one family member but will be faithful to all. They will not hurt children if they are raised with them but will walk away if play becomes too rough for their liking or if they are tired. They do as well with other animals as they do with children. Several of our puppies are in households with other Finnish Spitz as well as other breeds of dogs and cats. They are social dogs who will do well with all if they are exposed to other animals and children when they are young. For this reason, we suggest a puppy kindergarten class and taking him or her with you as often as possible to many different places when they are young.

3. What is their temperament like?

Finnish Spitz are somewhat wary with strangers but it usually doesn’t last for more than a few minutes if they are used to a variety of people. For this reason, they usually are not considered a good choice for a guard dog.

4. What do I need to consider for grooming requirements?

Finnish Spitz have a thick undercoat which sheds twice a year. During this time they should be brushed several times a week. The rest of the year a once a week brushing will suffice. They are naturally clean dogs that do some self grooming much as cats do. They should be bathed only when necessary as too frequent bathing removes the natural oils in their coat.

5. What is the difference between a "pet quality" and a "show quality" dog?

A show quality dog is one that we believe is close enough to the AKC standard that it will win the points needed to receive the championship title in the conformation ring. For puppies that we sell as show quality, we guarantee that they will receive their championship title. A pet quality puppy means that there is something about the puppy that we believe does not qualify it for the conformation ring. Frequently, a pet quality puppy may be one of the best in the litter but have some minor characteristic, such as too much white in its coat or be too long, to qualify in the conformation ring. Because we guarantee our show quality puppies, we rarely see a litter that we believe every pup falls into the show quality category.

6. I live in the South. How do they do with heat?

Finnish Spitz thrive in the South as well as the North. They shed the majority of their undercoat in warm climates and will find ways of staying cool provided they are given sufficient water and shelter from direct sun.

7. How do I get started with showing?

We suggest that you first ensure that your puppy is well socialized to a variety of situations when he or she is young, and attend a puppy kindergarten class. Joining your local kennel club is also very beneficial. You will receive advice from more seasoned exhibitors and most kennel clubs have handling classes where both you and your puppy will learn what you need for the conformation ring. We have included our suggestions on showing and grooming to help get you started on our Information pages. Ask us for help as we will ALWAYS be there for you.

8. What kind of training do I need to do with a Finnish Spitz puppy?

All dogs should have basic obedience which you will get with a puppy kindergarten class. From there, you can decide what your goals are with your Finkie. The American Kennel Club sponsors a wide variety of competitive events for you and your dog from conformation to obedience to agility to coursing and more. You can learn more about the various types of events open to you and your Finkie at the AKC website www.akc.org. If you think that you are interested in obedience, you should make your breeder aware of that fact at the time the puppy is being selected for you. Because of their independent nature, many Finkies are not ideal for the obedience ring. With knowledge of your interest in obedience, a breeder can select a puppy for you with a personality suitable for more advanced obedience training.

9. How old will a puppy be when I get him or her?

We let our puppies go to their new homes at eight weeks of age.

10. Should I consider a boy or girl?

The sex of the puppy for you is often a matter of personal preference. Males are flashier with their heavier boning, coat and ruff, while females are more refined. Some believe that males are less independent than females and more inclined toward closer contact with their families. That does not, however, prove to be the case with every dog and may be more dependent on the personality of the individual puppy. Because there are few Finkies in the United States, availability of a particular sex is also a consideration.

11. Can I run with my Finnish Spitz?

Once your dog has matured they are great athletes and running companions. They are a slow maturing breed, however, and do not reach full emotional and physical maturity until they are four years old. We do not recommend hard exercise with your puppy until he is a year old when most of his structural growth has been completed.

12. Is their barking a problem and how much do they bark?

We believe that their reputation for barking is overdone. In Scandinavia, Finnish Spitz are primarily used as hunting dogs that bark at their prey to keep it in place once located. They are natural barkers who will bark at birds and squirrels outside. We believe it is important to teach them a "Quiet" command when they are young. They are not big barkers indoors. They also have a wide variety of vocal tones and they are known to carry on conversations with their family members which is very charming. If you live in close proximity to neighbors who object to their barking, debarking is an alternative.

13. Where can I get more information on Finnish Spitz?

AKC carries a video on the breed and The Finnish Spitz by Ann Katherine Nicholas is a book with good information. We are always happy to talk with you about the breed.