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Quick Glance

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    Size
    Medium (11kg - 27kg)
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    Exercise
    20 min/day
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    Training
    Puppy school only
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    Size of home
    Some outdoor space
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    Time at home
    Alone with support
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    Grooming
    Frequent
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    Barking preference
    Low
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    Personality
    Independent + affectionate
Finnish Spitz 2

History

Named the National Dog of Finland in 1979, the prehistoric origins of the Finnish Spitz can be traced back to Central Russia. Finno-Ugrian tribes bred these fox-like animals for their aptitude to hunt and gather food.

With the rise of international trade, the Finnish Spitz mated with other dogs across Europe to the point of near extinction. In the late 1800's, Finnish sportsman Hugo Roos went hunting in the northern forests, where he observed the admirable traits of non-mixed Finnish Spitz. His efforts to revive the breed from a selection of purebreds came to fruition within 30 years. The first breed standard
was established in 1892, and it possesses the hunting attributes of a bark pointer.

Characteristics

The obliquely set, almond-shaped eyes and pointed ears give this dog a decidedly fox-like appearance. In some cases, the darker markings on the muzzle and forehead give the impression of a scowl, but the Finnish Spitz is a friendly, well-natured dog suitable for the company of children.

Headstrong and independent, it was originally bred for its ability to chase smaller game that fled into trees and tight spaces. Despite its smaller build, the Finnish Spitz is an ambitious animal, known to hunt large game. 

Finnish Spitz 3

Temperament & Suitability

This is not an animal to be cooped up in a kennel or high-rise apartment: the Finnish Spitz is a lively, active dog that requires plenty of time outdoors.

They are especially fond of children and a perfect fit for an active family.

Being a hunting dog, its behaviour around smaller animals is unpredictable, but it can be trained to live harmoniously with cats and other dogs.

As an independent dog, the Finnish Spitz will steer clear of strangers but bond well with the family. Males develop a pronounced masculinity with the tendency to be over-protective. Females are traditionally less domineering and feminine. Most Finnish Spitz bark at anything considered outside the ordinary- a prized trait in the role of a hunting companion.

Appearance

The Finnish Spitz is double coated in long, dense fur of a reddish-brown to yellow-red colour. Small, white markings are sometimes found on the feet or chest. Its keen, fox-like expression can be obscured if the fur is too coarse or overdone. A square build with a long and straight back, the neck is muscular and short. The tail curves in a pronounced arch forward, downward and backward against the thigh. The head is clean­cut and medium size.

Finnish Spitz edit
Finnish Spitz head shot
Finnish Spitz edit
Finnish Spitz head shot

Maintenance

This highly intelligent dog requires a balance of indoor playing time with the family and outdoor exercise. It is an exceptionally clean animal, licking itself of any soil until the coat shines. Their grooming needs are minimal, only needing a weekly brush from head to tail.

Health

The health concerns of the Finnish Spitz are few and far between. They are typically a healthy breed, but hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, elbow dysplasia and epilepsy are known to develop in some dogs.

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Finnish Spitz you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Finnish Spitz and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 03 Jun 2016)

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Breed Standard - Finnish Spitz

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Smaller than medium-sized, almost square. In conformation lean, firm and carries himself well.IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: The length of the body is the same as the height at withers. The depth of the chest is slightly less than half of the height at the withers. The ratio between the muzzle and skull is approximately 3:4. The skull is a little broader than long, the breadth is the same as the depth.

Characteristics

A hunting dog mainly for forest game birds, also predatory small game, waterfowl and elk. Eager hunter; rather independent, yet works co-operatively to game, marking game by barking.

Temperament

Lively, vigorous, brave and determined. Might be a little reserved towards strangers, but never vicious.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull Cranial Region:Skull: Viewed from above egg-shaped broadening gradually towards the ears. Skull is broadest between the ears. Viewed from the front and in profile the skull is slightly convex. The upper axes of the skull and muzzle are almost parallel. The frontal furrow is very shallow. The superciliary ridges and the occiput are slightly visible.Stop: Not very pronounced, the angle between the nasal bridge and the skull is clearly marked.Facial region:Nose: Rather small, jet-black.Muzzle: Viewed from above and in profile evenly tapering, rather narrow, not fleshy. The nasal bridge is straight. The lower jaw is clearly defined.Lips: Tight, rather thin and close fitting. Good pigmentation.Jaws: The jaws are strong.Cheeks: The zygomatic arches are slightly emphasized.
Eyes Medium-sized, almond-shaped, slightly oblique and preferably dark. The expression is lively and alert.
Ears Set rather high, always erect. Rather small sized, pointed, very mobile and covered with fine hair.
Mouth The teeth are well developed and symmetrical; 42 teeth, according to the dentition formula. Close fitting scissor bite.
Neck Muscular; it appears to be rather short in males due to the thick ruff, of medium length in bitches. Throat without dewlap.
Forequarters General appearance: Viewed from the front straight and parallel. The bone is of moderate strength. The upper arm is a little shorter than the shoulder blade and the forearm.Shoulder: Firm, very mobile and not very oblique.Upper arm: A little shorter than the shoulder blade. Slightly sloping and strong.Elbow: Placed in front of a vertical line drawn from the point of shoulder; pointing straight backwards.Forearm: Moderately strong, vertical.Metacarpus (Pastern): Of moderate length, only slightly sloping and flexible.
Body Withers: Clearly defined, especially in males.Back: Rather short, level and muscular.Loin: Short and muscular.Croup: Of medium length, well developed and slightly sloping.Chest: Long, reaching almost to the elbows, not very broad. The ribs are slightly sprung; the fore chest normally developed, not very prominent.Underline and belly: Slightly tucked up.
Hindquarters General appearance: Strong, viewed from behind straight and parallel, moderate angulations. The bone is of moderate strength. The thigh is slightly longer than the lower thigh.Thigh: Of medium length, rather broad with well developed muscles.Stifle (Knee): Pointed forward, moderate angulation.Lower thigh: Muscular.Hock joint: Set moderately low, moderate angulation.Metatarsus (Rear pastern): Rather short, strong and vertical.
Feet Forefeet: Roundish, like cat-feet. Toes tight and well arched. Pads elastic, always black, the sides covered with dense hair.Hind feet: A little longer than the forefeet, otherwise similar.
Tail Curved forward from the set-on tightly along the back, then hanging down- and slightly tilted towards the rear and pressedagainst the thigh, the tip of the tail to reach down to the middle of the thigh. When straightened reaches approximately down to the hocks.
Gait/Movement Light, effortless and covering the ground.  Changes easily from trot to gallop, the latter being the most natural style of movement. The legs move parallel. When rushing after game explosively fast gallop.
Coat Skin: Tight overall without wrinkles.Hair: Moderately long on the body, stand-off coat, semi or fully, stiffer stand-off on the neck, shoulders and back.  On the head and the legs, except the back of the hindquarters, coat is short and close-lying. The stiff hair on the shoulders, especially in males is noticeably longer and coarser. On the trousers and on the tail the hair is long and dense. The undercoat is short, soft, dense and light in colour.
Colour The hair on the back is bright red or golden red, preferably a bright colour.  A lighter shade is inside the ears, on cheeks, throat and chest, belly, inside the legs, back of the thighs and on the tail. A small white spot on the chest and small white markings on the feet are permitted.
Size Height at the withers: Males 44–50 cm, females 39–45 cm.Ideal height: Males 47 cm, females 42 cm.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should beregarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on its ability to perform its traditional work.· Missing teeth (1 or 2 missing teeth excluding the PM1 and M3)DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:· Aggressive or overly shy dogs.· Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities should be disqualified.· Other than erect ears.· Other than black nose.· Eyes bright yellow or wall eye.· Overshot or undershot mouth.· Kinked tail.· Large white markings on the chest and/or a white sock.· Colours differing severely from the basic colour.· Wavy or curled coat.· Height other than given in the standard.· Several missing teeth (three or more).

· Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.· Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation, should be used for breeding.

History

It is known that already hundreds of years ago dogs of this type were used for all game hunting over the whole country. Originally the main goal was to develop a dog that barked well at game up in trees and was also beautiful. When the register of the breed started in the 1890s, individuals similar in type and hunting purpose were found mainly in the eastern and northern parts of the country.The first breed standard was established in 1892. The first breed show was held the same year and the first bird-hunting trial in 1897.  Today the breed is very common in both Finland and Sweden. It has been developed from pure natural stock and is an essential part of the Finnish culture. The Finnish Spitz was named as the National Dog of Finland in 1979.According to the agreement between the Finnish Kennel Club and the Russian Cynological Federation that was signedin 2006 the Karelian-Finnish Laika and the Finnish Spitz were combined as one breed under the breed standard of the Finnish Spitz.

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