History

The origin of Finnish Spitz can be traced to the eastern area of Finland. Bred as a hunting dog, Finnish Spitz is the national dog of Finland. It is believed that the breed owes it origin to the dogs brought by hunting tribes from the Volga River area of Central Russia, over 2000 years ago. The breed was first registered by the AKC in the year 1987.

Appearance

The breed has a fox-like look. Finnish Spitz has dark, almond shaped eyes, pointed muzzle, black nose and perked ears. The golden-red to honey-colored double coat distinguishes the breed from the rest. The undercoat is soft and dense, while the guard hair is long, straight and nearly 1–2 inches long. The breed has a square build with a regal carriage, a deep chest that reaches to the elbows and a plumed tail that curls up over the back.

Color

Red/Gold, Red, Gold, White Markings.

Personality

Finnish Spitz is a brave, alert, lively, strong-willed, loyal, playful and friendly breed. Though it stays aloof with strangers, the breed gets well with children and other pets. The breed is known for its high learning rate and enjoys regular short walks. Training is required to control the innate natural barking tendency of the breed.

Health Concerns

The breed is prone to health conditions like diabetes mellitus and luxating patellas. However, the frequencies of hip dysplasia and PRA are lower compared to other breeds. The normal life span of the breed is about 12–15 years.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR