Breed Profile: The Finnish Spitz

The first thing many people notice about the Finnish Spitz is his physical appearance. However after living with the Finnish Spitz, owners might list his voice as the most memorable quality. With a very unique personality, the Finnish Spitz has evolved from his hunting roots into an excellent pet and show dog.

As the name suggests, the Finnish Spitz originated in Finland. He was initially used as a hunting dog. The Finnish Spitz worked well with hunters, not so much to make the kills themselves but rather to let hunters know the whereabouts of the prey. The Finnish Spitz has a very distinct bark that alerted hunters of game on hunting trips. The game sought by the Finnish Spitz varies from the very small rodents and birds to moose and even bear.

Today the Finnish Spitz is the national dog of Finland. He is loved more for his characteristics as a companion dog these days instead of a working hunting dog. They are very intelligent dogs, and are eager to learn from their owners. Because of their intelligence, they require respectful and gentle owners who will treat them kindly.

The Finnish Spitz is not all brains and no beauty. In fact, the Finnish Spitz is arguably one of the more beautiful dogs in the world. They stand 14 to 19 inches tall and weigh 20 to 35 pounds. However what stands out most about the dog is his beautiful coat. The Finnish Spitz has a thick double coat in a rich shade of red. Additionally, he has a gorgeous plume that resembles the tail of a fox. Due to his thick coat, the Finnish Spitz requires regular brushing, especially throughout the twice a year periods of shedding.

The Finnish Spitz may be somewhat noisy as a pet. Because of his background as a signaling hunting dog, the Finnish Spitz maintains the instinct to bark. However is he is very loving, and lovable. The Finnish Spitz is extremely loyal to his owner, and generally gets along well with children. He may be a bit wary of other dogs due to his loyalty and attachment to his owner.