Group: Non-sporting

Weight: 25 lbs

Height: 18 inches



History

As the name of this dog suggests, the Finnish Spitz dog is believed to originate from Finland. It is also the official national dog of this country. The Finnish Spitz dog is related to very old hunting dogs. These dogs have previously been known by names such as Finnish Hunting Dogs and even by Barking Bird Dogs. This breed of dogs was bred to be hunting game birds. These dogs are also excellent family pets.

Characteristics

Finnish Spitz dogs have been intended as dogs that bark and hunt for a very long time now. Prospective owners should be aware that these dogs are not ideal if you have neighbors close by, as their barking can become a problem. These dogs tend to sound alarm more than they would bite. They have excellent hearing skills, and therefore they are wonderful watchdogs. The Finnish Spitz dog is also a wonderful dog to have a part of your family. They are very good with children, and can spend a lot of hours just playing around.

Temperament

The Finnish Spitz dog is a very friendly, but also a very brave dog. They like to play, and they enjoy lots of affection. It is very important to be patient when it comes to training them in obedience. These dogs tend to be quite protective. This breed of dogs can take some time before they mature, and some of them only reach the adult stage at about 4 years old. The Finnish Spitz dog can be a bit distant toward strangers, but in general they will get along quite well with other pets.

Care

These dogs do not have very high grooming needs. It is good to know that they can shed quite a lot of hair on a seasonal basis. Therefore these dogs will not be recommended to someone that struggles a lot with allergies. It is advised that the coats of these dogs be brushed once during the week. For more detailed info, take a look at the Finnish Spitz Grooming page.

Training

Seeing that these dogs are very intelligent, they tend to be very strong-minded. These dogs have to be trained up in a very firm way, but also with a tender touch and voice. The Finnish Spitz will respond much better to admiration than it will when being disciplined. They tend to get bored quite easily, and it is therefore important to not make their training sessions too long. With these dogs you have to be very patient.

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