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Hill’s Brand Horizon

Finnish Spitz

dog Breed Profile

The Finnish spitz is a medium-sized dog with a pointed muzzle short, erect ears and a lush, golden-red or honey-colored coat that makes the dog look much like a fox.

Attributes

Upright ears (naturally)

Size

Weight

31-36 lbs.

23-29 lbs.

Height

15-18 in.

(at withers)

17-20 in.

Coat

Length

Medium

Color

Shades of golden red

Care

Exercise

20-40 minutes/day

Energy level

Average

Longevity

12-14 yrs.

Needs

Moderate

Traits

Barking

High

Snoring

Low

Drooling

Low

Digging

Low

Grooming Needs

Moderate

Social Needs

Moderate

Club recognition

AKC Class.

Non-Sporting

UKC Class.

Northern Breeds

Prevalence

Rare

The Finnish Spitz Dog Breed

The Finnish spitz has been bred to develop its barking behavior and has a distinct ringing bark or yodel. Barking contests are even conducted in Finland

About the Finnish Spitz

The Finnish spitz is a medium-sized dog with a pointed muzzle short, erect ears and a lush, golden-red or honey-colored coat that makes the dog look much like a fox.

Finnish Spitz personality

The Finnish spitz is home-loving and friendly. The dog is loyal to his family, playful, and yet patient with children, and is generally good with other pets.   

The Finnish spitz is leery of people he does not know and will guard by barking if a stranger comes around, but he is not considered an aggressive dog.

What to expect

The Finnish spitz is a cold-weather dog and prefers cooler climates. He sheds heavily and requires frequent brushing and combing. He is known for barking fanciers say the dogs will bark at anything, particularly when outdoors, so they are not suitable for households who cannot tolerate a noisy dog or for anyone who has neighbors that will complain about barking.

This dog needs plenty of exercise and probably is best suited to living in places where he can run. A Finnish spitz will do well in an apartment if he has a family devoted to providing daily exercise either in a good-sized yard or with long walks or jogs.

Fanciers of this breed say patience is required for obedience training.

History of the Finnish Spitz

The Finnish spitz is the national dog of Finland and has been in existence for centuries. The dog is thought to have descended from the early hunting dogs of Lapland and Scandinavia, and is related to the Russo-European Laika.

The breed is well known throughout Scandinavia. The Finnish spitz is used to hunt small game and birds and is known as the barking bird dog because it points hunters to game by barking. The dogs have been bred to develop their barking behavior, and barking contests are held in Finland. The Finnish spitz has a distinct ringing bark or yodel.

The breed makes an excellent family pet. The Finnish Spitz was admitted into the AKC non-sporting group in 1988.

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