Finnish Spitz dogs love getting their paws dirty, pointing you to small squirrels and mice. You’ll love running around in parks and woods. This fox-like pooch is the best choice for you. Their energy level may need getting used to, but if you’re an active person, you won’t have any problem. Get to know this ball of excitement here.
Finnish Spitz Dogs Loves To Hunt Squirrels!
Personality
- Hunter, Pointer
- Brave
- Friendly
- High energy, athletic
- Faithful
This fox-like dog was bred as a hunter, so don’t be surprised if you find your pup darting off to a squirrel in the park. They’ll point and bark to the squirrel or rodent in question. This is a courageous dog so be careful when you go out. You may also need to monitor their interactions with other canines.
They are not aggressive with kids, however, so you can raise one together with your little tykes. In fact, there has been a study that suggests kids growing up with dogs have more stable emotional dispositions. They’re also quite faithful so they’ll love their human families for sure.
If you lead a sedentary life, however, you might want to stay away from Finnish Spitz. Their high-energy requires you to take them out for a walk or a romp in the park for longer periods of time than you’d want to.
Size & Color
This medium sized dog grows up to 15 inches to 20 inches tall at the shoulder. They can weigh up to 20-30 pounds so you won’t have a problem carrying them home if they stubbornly want to stay at the park the entire day. This dog breed has two coats. They have a paler color undercoat and a golden-red overcoat that makes them look like foxes shining in the sun.
Health
Finnish Spitz dogs are healthy so you won’t have to worry too much about them. However, they do tend to be susceptible to certain canine diseases like:
- Hip Dysplasia – This hereditary disease happens when there’s a problem with thighbone and the hipbone. When they don’t fit snugly, pain radiates all over the dog’s body. This may cause arthritis or even lameness if not addressed right away. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. If you’re getting a puppy, make sure the breeder has cleared your pup with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHIP).
- Patellar luxation – If the kneecap doesn’t fit into its socket, it slides in and out of place when the dog walks. This causes unbearable pain to the legs. Mild cases don’t bring problems to canines. However, if severe, surgery may be needed.
- Epilepsy – This neurological problem causes the dog to have seizures. Medication can help control the diseases, but unfortunately, there is no cure yet.
Life Span
Finnish Spitz can live for 12 to 15 years! Which means, they can grow together with your kids up to their teenage years.
Food & Diet
Feeding your dog depends on the size and energy level of your pups. Divide 1 and 3/4 to 2 and a half cups of quality dog food into two meals. Make sure you have clean water at the ready for your Finnish Spitz as they can get thirsty fast with their high energy.
Grooming Requirements
- Keeps them clean
- Brush weekly, more during spring and fall
- Brush teeth once or twice a week
- Trim nails once or twice a month
You won’t have to worry about getting dirt all over your floor. The Finnish Spitz is a clean breed, needing very little grooming. They keep themselves clean requiring only a weekly brushing to keep their coat shiny and healthy. They don’t have that “doggy smell” as well, so that’s a plus point for those who sticklers for cleanliness. You only need to bathe them when needed.
Take note, however, that they shed heavily in the spring to fall. You’ll need to brush the coat more during this time to avoid matting and hair flying around the house. You don’t need to cut their hair as well.
Follow a dental hygiene routine once or twice a week. You can also brush your dog’s teeth daily if you want.
Since they love running around, their nails would naturally be trimmed during play. However, if needed, trim their nails once or twice a month.
Price of a Finnish Spitz Puppy
You can get a purebred Finnish Spitz for $500 to $700. Make sure you look for a reputable breeder to avoid any health complications. They should also present health clearances for the puppy you’d want to purchase.
History
This hunter dog originated from Finland to look for rodents and small game. They were believed to have been bred from Spitz-like dogs and brought to the country by Finno-Ugrian people.
In 1920, they were brought to England by Sir Edward Chichester after being enchanted by the breed. Lady Kitty Ritson later created the Finnish Spitz Club which was registered in England’s Kennel Club in 1934. They were then brought over to the United States by Henry Davidson and Alex Hassel of Minnesota and Connecticut respectively in the 1960s. But then, the American Kennel Club would only officially recognize the breed in 1988.
Fun Fact
The Finnish Spitz nearly went extinct in 1880, when people brought their dogs over to Finland to mate with the breed. Thankfully, Hugo Sandberg and Hugo Roos, both from Helsinki saw the great qualities of the breed itself and started populating the country again with Finnish Spitz. They are recognized as Finland’s national dog.
Check out more facts about this breed in this video from Crufts:
If you love high energy dogs that love to be vocal, then a Finnish Spitz is just the breed for you! These types thrive in keeping you active as they run around looking for rodents and squirrels in parks. They’ll be great companions for kids with excess energy, too. On the other hand, if you like the peace you’ll have to look at another breed.
What do you think of Finnish Spitz dogs? Share your thoughts below!
