Finnish Spitz

The Finnish Spitz has a determined and spirited character. It is not alien to dignity and can easily take offense at the owner for ill-treatment. Signs of aggression do not show, with pleasure plays with children. A very active dog, resolute and courageous, not hostile to strangers, but vigilant all around.

Breed Photos

Origin History

Red hunting dogs are first found in the manuscripts of a French traveler dating back to 1653. For hundreds of years, they have inhabited the territory of Karelia and Finland.

Dark-red dogs of small stature, Scandinavian and Finnish peoples’ pride, were already recognized by the International Canine Federation in 1892. Entire exhibitions were devoted to the Finnish Spitz. To this day, they are popular in northern Russia and Finland.

Appearance

The Finnish Spitz looks very much like a fox. The skull is more extensive in width than in length, slightly convex. The head of the Finnish Spitz is wider than it is long and slightly convex. Owners of powerful musculature with a small stature. Finnish Spitz – a possessor of all possible red fur shades, white spots on a chest, and legs.

Character

The Finnish Spitz has a determined and spirited character. It is not alien to dignity and can easily take offense at the owner for ill-treatment. Signs of aggression do not show, with pleasure plays with children. A very active dog, resolute and courageous, not hostile to strangers, but vigilant all around. If you’re not a fan of noisy dogs – the Finnish Spitz is not for you. Its frequent, loud, and resonant barking is not what everyone can endure.

Finnish Spitzs love to be the center of attention, restless energizers. They like to play with their kind, but it won’t be easy for small animals; the excitement to chase a victim can appear any minute. A trip to nature for the Finnish Spitz is like a holiday; they like to run and jump!

Care

The Finnish Spitz molts twice a year; the dead hair must be carefully combed out. Otherwise, it threatens to turn into tangles. The unkempt appearance of a dog betrays the non-seriousness and carelessness of its owner. Bathe and clip claws as needed. Needs regular brushing.

Training

The Finnish Spitz is a brilliant, intelligent, and understanding dog. However, he can be overly stubborn from time to time. Be sure to encourage your dog to obey commands. A treat is the best way to train and train the Finnish Spitzs. They have a very strongly developed hunting instinct, perform their duties well and without special training. If you take a puppy to hunt with experienced dogs, he will quickly get the hang of it and learn all the hunting craft’s subtleties.

Common Diseases

Finnish Spitz’s health is excellent; they are hardy, with a robust immune system, have no genetic diseases. However, it is necessary not to forget to vaccinate their dogs in time because they can easily catch any infection in the woods.

Finnish Spitzes are prone to rapid weight gain, so keep a close eye on your dog’s portion size. Try not to feed your dog between main meals. Remember that the number of portions should depend on the energy requirements of the animal. Finnish Spitzs are very fond of eating. However, this should be strictly controlled. These dogs can eat endlessly. This unhealthy habit can very quickly lead to obesity, and as a consequence, to cardiovascular disease.

Nutrition

The Finnish Spitz should preferably be fed lean raw meat, cut into pieces, and pampered with chicken paws, necks, and cartilage. Pork and tubular bones, which are not suitable for the body and can injure the dog’s internal organs, should not be eaten. Buckwheat, rice, and oatmeal are good grains for this breed. Try not to overfeed the Finnish Spitz with sour-milk products; they cause the disorder. Dogs gain weight very quickly and may turn from a fox to a pound. Feed boiled pumpkin helps to get rid of worms, which is very important for Spitzes with a hunting instinct. An adult dog should be fed once or twice a day.