A Finnish spitz is a live , intelligent , and fast whelp that needs mess of exercise and can be quite talkative . see more about living with Finnish spitz dogs .
With a prominent red - gold coating and white scoring on his chest , plus buoyant triangular ear and a brisk , lively Trotskyist , the Finnish spitz looks to be a fox ’s doppelgänger . But unlike his remote woodland cousin , this decidedly cute domesticated dog is outgoing ( not shy like a George Fox ) and has a plumed tail rather than a bushy one .
Finnish spitz dogs are brisk and loyal , and theymake keen sept petsbecause they are sweet - natured and enthusiastic playmates . While these dogs are the national blackguard of — you guessed it — Finland , they are a somewhatrare breed in the United States .
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Before land home a Finnish spitz puppy , know that they were historicallybred to be hunting dogs , where they wouldbark loudly ( and incessantly)to alert their humans to nearby birds .
" modest in stature but orotund in personality , these dogs are very talkative and will bark , howl , and chat to their family and anyone else that will listen , " saysColleen Demling - Riley , CPDT - KA , CBCC - KA , CDBC , wienerwurst behaviourist withDogtopia . " They are intelligent , high vigor , and love to be with their families . "
Appearance
Finnish spitz are on the small side ofmedium - sized dogs , with males weighing between 25–33 pounds and female heel librate between 20–28 pounds . These pups have square , well - equilibrize , and brawny bodies , according to theFinnish Spitz Club of America(FSCA ) . Males stand 17.5–20 inches tall , while females are slimly smaller at 15.5–18 inch .
" As with other spitz dogs , this cunning canine has a dodger - similar head , plush pelage and bob that curls sweetly over its back , " says Linda Simon , MVB , MRCVS , consulting veterinarian atFiveBarks .
The Finnish spitz ’s two-fold pelage is longest and most dense on the plume of his tail and back of his thighs , according to the FSCA . The undercoat is scant , lenient , and thick , while the outer safeguard hair are long and harsh . For the most part , these dog are dry wash - and - don and do n’t need too much dressing , except forbrushing every few daytime . Theyblow their coatsa couple of fourth dimension a class .
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His pelage color can be various shades of golden loss , start the spectrum from a pale love color to a deep auburn . The hound ’s undercoat is pale , and the shading effect gives him an almost witching lambency . Finnish spitz hotdog often have livid marking on the steer of their toe and strip their chests , and child Finnish spitz dogs are born with bootleg hairs that disappear within a duad of years .
Other delineate characteristics admit a bootleg nose and thin , slopped black sassing . And , of course , an lovely fox - similar manifestation !
Temperament
In a few words , the Finnish spitz temperament is fighting , favorable , and faithful .
" Spitz dog are known for being cagy and independent as well as loyal to those in their straightaway roach , " Simon says . " Indeed , the Finnish spitz ticks all of these box . "
Though they tend to be cautious around unknown , the Finish spitz can click right into family unit life and are quick to play and snuggle .
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" They are great family line dog anddo well with kidsas well as other dogs andcats in the home , " Demling - Riley says . " Since they were multiply to Leigh Hunt , they are not the secure match for a family that has small favorite such as birds or hamster . "
Of course , as with all dogs , it ’s important to supervise children and your Finnish spitz when they ’re playing .
Living Needs
The Finnish spitz tend todo effective with active dog ownersdue to his exercise needs , and he ’ll need an possessor who’scommitted to trainingandsocialization , suppose Jen Jones , a professional dog flight simulator and conduct specialist who runsYour Dog Advisor .
Because these whelp are talkers , they ’re probably not a dear fit forapartment living , Demling - Riley says . Some care will call for to be put in plaza if your spitz is living in suburbia , too .
" They love runningin an enclosed yard , but the fencing line should be aside from eminent - traffic areas since these whelp will bark at anything that excrete , " Demling - Riley says .
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Although Finnish spitz dogs have an independent stripe , Demling - Riley say , they want to be with their family and do n’t do well when left alone outside or separate from their people for prospicient periods of fourth dimension .
The Finnish spitz will feel most at place with a household that has time toexercise them regularly(we’re talking up to two hr a day ! ) as they are course hunting dogs bred to run and work all day long , says Megan Conrad , BVMS , a commissioned veterinarian withHello Ralphie .
In addition totwo to three walks a twenty-four hour period , Finnish spitz weenie will also need mental stimulation , includingpuzzle toysor some at - home play session , Conrad says .
Care
TheFinnish spitz shed heavilytwice a year , but in general his coat necessitate minimal upkeep .
" brush the pup a couple times a week andbathing when dirtyis all that is need , " Demling - Riley pronounce .
As with all dogs , ensure you’retrimming your Finnish spitz ’s nailsabout once a calendar month . Also , as part of your regular care routine , incorporatedaily tooth brushingandoccasional capitulum cleanings .
While grooming a Finnish spitz is pretty easy , his exercise routine requires much more investment — permit ’s just say you ’ll have no problem log 10,000 step a twenty-four hours with this andiron as your familiar . The Finnish spitz has lots of vigor and needs at least 60–90 minutes of exercise a day , but Demling - Riley says he ’ll always be up for more .
An intelligent strain , Finnish spitz dogs are ready scholar . They are loyal dogs who hump praise from their human parents , so employ lots ofpositive reinforcementas you relay good style andteach fresh commands . Arm yourself with treats and be generous with those head dab as you direct brusk , but frequent , training Roger Sessions .
Health
As untypically level-headed strain , Conrad says , the Finnish spitz life anticipation is 13–15 years . However , there are a few health problems these George Fox - like cuties can be prone to , includingluxating genus Patella , or dislocated kneepan .
A common sign of a luxating kneepan is a variety in your dog ’s pace as he may hop on his pegleg or stretch it out to get the kneecap back in position . Depending on its severity , your favorite could need operating theater .
Finnish spitz dogs may also be prostrate tohip dysplasia , elbow joint dysplasia , andepilepsy , Conrad suppose . Responsible Finnish spitz breeders silver screen weenie for these issues prior to reproduction .
Finnish spitz wiener can be prostrate toweight increase , too .
" cautiously check their food intake and use low - calorie treats so they do n’t become overweight , " Demling - Riley says
In dogs , obesitycan go to orthopaedic disease . Obesity can also contribute to or complicate other canine health conditions , includingkidney disease , malignant neoplastic disease , diabetes mellitus , andheart disease .
History
When migrants from central Russia arrived in what ’s now known as Finlandroughly 3,000 year ago , it ’s believe they brought their spitz - type dogs with them . These dogs have a story of working as all - use hunters . In fact , the other Finnish spitz was such a skilled hunting watch that he was open of undertake huge , persistent animals like elk and even bear , according to the FSC .
Over the years , the Finnish spitz develop a particular specialty in doll hunting . The hotdog would attract the attention of bird by running backwards and onwards , rock his keister , his bark getting louder and louder . The ringing note of the dog ’s bark could impart tremendous aloofness , drawing hunters ' care and disquiet the birds as the hunters approached , according to the FSC .
By 1880 , though , the Finnish spitz had been breed with so many other breeds it was nigh extinct . But two admirers of the breed , Hugo Sandberg and Hugo Roos , hold out on a mission to save the dogs . Sandberg wrote a breed verbal description for the heel and urged the Finnish Kennel Club to continue the andiron and consider them to be the national dog breed — a title the dogs were awarded in 1979 .
In 1960 , the Finnish spitz arrive in the United States . The American Kennel Club recognize the pup in 1991 .
