Finnish Spitz
Finland's fox-red national dog, a lively bird-hunting spitz famous for its ringing bark.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 44–50 cm · Females 39–45 cm
- Weight
- Males 12–13 kg · Females 7–10 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Double coat, medium
- Colours
- Red, Gold
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent, Companionship
- Country of origin
- Finland
- FCI
- Group 5, no. 49 · Spitz & primitive types
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 5/5 – Very high |
| Shedding | 4/5 – High |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 5/5 – Very high |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a medium-sized, lively family dog
- live in a cool climate
- enjoy forest walks
Think twice if you …
- live in a flat with thin walls
- want instant obedience
- dislike barking
Care
Temperament
Finnish Spitz are cheerful, alert and independent, affectionate with family and somewhat reserved with strangers. They are very vocal.
Exercise
An hour or more of daily walking and free play keeps them content. They enjoy forest walks, tracking and hunting tests.
Grooming
The double coat needs weekly brushing, with more frequent combing during the seasonal moult.
Training
They learn quickly but get bored with repetition. Keep sessions short and varied, and teach a quiet cue early.
Health
Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and epilepsy are known, and diabetes has been reported. Ask the breeder for hip, knee and eye results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Kneecaps (patella)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Finnish Spitz is an old Finnish hunting breed used to find capercaillie and black grouse. The dog locates the bird in a tree and barks rhythmically to hold its attention until the hunter arrives. The breed was nearly lost to crossbreeding in the 19th century and was rebuilt by Finnish enthusiasts.
At home it is lively, friendly and good with children, but it is a vocal breed by design. It needs exercise, company and some outlet for its hunting instinct. Owners in close housing should be prepared to work on barking from the start.
Did you know?
The Finnish Spitz is Finland's national dog, and Finnish hunting trials judge how well a dog barks at treed birds.