Finnish Spitz - Dog Breed Profile

Author: Dooziedog.com

Key Facts:

Size: Small - medium

Height: 39 - 50 cm (15.5 - 20 inches)

Weight: 10 - 16 kg (22 - 35 lb)

Life Span: 14 years

Grooming: Easy

Exercise: Moderate

Feeding: Undemanding

Temperament: Independent & needs understanding

Country of Origin: Finland

AKC Group: Non-Sporting

Other Names: Finsk Spets, Suomenpystykorva

Temperament:

The Finnish Spitz is active, eager, alert and friendly. The Finnish Spitz makes a lively family companion and gets on well with children. They are very loyal and sociable, but do not always follow their owners orders with their independent nature. The Finnish Spitz will alert it's family when there are visitors, but it does not take its guard dog duties beyond that.

Grooming:

The Finnish Spitz has a self-cleaning coat and does not have the typical smell of dog hair. Regular grooming of the coat is still necessary.

Exercise:

The Finnish Spitz needs plenty of exercise and is more suited for country living. They don't like to be left in a kennel unless they have fellow canine companions.

History:

These dogs are also known as the finnish Cockeared Hunting Dog or the Barking Bird Dog. The Finnish Spitz originated from the Arctic Spitz family. When the Finnish people lived in tribes and clans, these dogs were used to hunt birds and squirrels (this food being essential for the survival of their masters). They used to drive the birds into trees, then point and bark to alert their owners of their position.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Striking, squarely-built and lively.

Color: Red-brown or red-gold with a lighter colored undercoat.

Coat: The outercoat consists of harsh, stiff hairs and the undercoat is short, tight, soft and lighter in color.

Tail: Set high, plumed and curving over the back with the tip resting by the thigh.

Ears: Erect, pointed and small.

Body: The back is straight and strong with a deep chest giving a square appearance.

Additional Comments:

The Finnish Spitz can be difficult to train and is not suited for those who want a dog to always obey commands.

The Finnish Spitz is the national dog of Finland.

About the author: This article provided courtesy of http://www.dooziedog.com/dog_breeds/finnish_spitz/