Finnish Spitz

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Finland

MOST SUITED AS Hunting dog for birds, estate dog, and family pet.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is 53 - 60cm 137 (20 1/2 - 23 1/in) for dogs and 51 -56cm (20 - 22in) for bitches.

COAT
The coat consists of thick, erect, medium-length hair with a thick under-layer of straight hair. The colour may be red-brown or a yel­lowish red and small white markings are per­missible.Puppies are born much darker and acquire their reddish coat later.

CARE REQUIRED
The Finnish Spitz has a self-cleaning coat in common with the other Arctic dogs. Regular grooming with brush and comb is however still necessary. The coat of this breed does not have the customary smell usually associated with dog hair.

CHARACTER
This breed is lively and curious, though not overwhelmingly so. It is a watchdog that only barks when necessary. They are delightful with children, homely and sociable, very loyal to their own family but do not follow their hand­ler's orders slavishly.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Finnish Spitz usuallu do not cause problems in the intercourse with other dogs. They get along fine with children. Visitors will always be announced. But that is all, it is no defender.

TRAINING
Those looking for a dog that always obeys should look elsewhere than the Finnish Spitz but with ample patience and understanding, together with a consistent manner, it is possi­ble to achieve the basic level of training with these dogs.

EXERCISE
This dog likes to be out of doors but will not be very happy on its own in a kennel. With some companions of its own kind it will be quite happy. This is a very suitable dog to live in the country but they are plenty of examples of this breed living successfully in towns. The answer is plenty of exercise. Afterwards it is content to spend the evening at its handler's feet.