Finnish Spitz
Finnish Spitz, also known as Finsk Spets or Suomenpystykorva, is a bright red, fox-like dog breed with a thick coat and curled tail. They are renowned for their unique barking style, known as the 'yodel.'


Finnish Spitz Breed overview
Finnish Spitz is an intelligent and active breed that can make a great companion for experienced owners who can provide them with plenty of physical and mental stimulation. They are alert and vigilant, which makes them a good watchdog, but requires proper training and socialization to prevent excessive barking and aggression towards other dogs. They have a strong prey drive and a high wanderlust tendency, requiring a secure and fenced area to prevent them from escaping. Finnish Spitz requires moderate grooming, regular exercise, and a healthy diet to maintain their overall health and prevent obesity. They are versatile and can excel in various activities such as hunting, agility training, and obedience competitions.
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What To Expect When Caring For a Finnish Spitz
Training
Finnish Spitz is a highly intelligent breed that responds well to positive reinforcement training methods. They can be stubborn at times, so it is important to establish yourself as the pack leader. Early socialization and training is important to prevent any behavioral issues.
Nutrition
Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized breed that requires a balanced diet to stay healthy. It is important to feed them high-quality dog food that meets their nutritional needs. Like all dogs, Finnish Spitz should have access to fresh, clean water at all times.
Grooming
Finnish Spitz has a thick, double coat that requires regular brushing to prevent matting and tangling. They shed moderately throughout the year, but during shedding season, their coat requires extra attention. The breed does not require frequent bathing, and should only be bathed when necessary.
Exercise
Finnish Spitz is an active breed that requires daily exercise to stay healthy and happy. They enjoy brisk walks, hikes in the woods, and playing in the backyard. Finnish Spitz also excel in various dog sports, such as agility, obedience, and tracking.
Health
Finnish Spitz is generally a healthy breed, but like all dogs, they are prone to certain health problems. Hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy are some of the health concerns that are common in this breed.
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Finnish Spitz Traits & Characteristics
Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog breed that weighs between 31-35 pounds and stands 15-20 inches at the shoulder. They have a muscular, athletic build, and are well-balanced and proportionate in their appearance. The breed has a thick, double coat that comes in a variety of shades of red. The outer coat is long and straight, while the undercoat is short, soft, and dense. Finnish Spitz has a curled tail that sits high on their back.
Affection
The degree to which a breed shows love and affection towards its human family members.
Finnish Spitz is known to bond well with their family members and show love and affection towards them. However, they may be reserved around strangers and require socialization at a young age.
Children
How well a breed interacts with children, including tolerance for play and energy level.
Finnish Spitz is generally good with children, but they may not tolerate very young children due to their high energy levels. Supervision is recommended when around children to avoid accidents.
Dogs
The breed's friendliness and sociability towards other dogs.
Finnish Spitz is friendly with other dogs, but their hunting instincts may lead them to chase other smaller animals. Proper socialization and training is required to prevent any aggressive behavior towards other dogs.
Strangers
The breed's reaction to unfamiliar people, including whether they tend to be wary or friendly.
Finnish Spitz may be reserved around strangers due to their cautious nature. However, they are not aggressive towards strangers and can be trained to become more social.
Playfulness
The breed's activity level and tendency to engage in play and games.
Finnish Spitz is an active and playful breed that enjoys spending time outdoors and playing games with their owners. They require daily exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.
Alertness
The breed's level of awareness and vigilance, which can affect their ability to perform certain tasks or jobs
Finnish Spitz is an alert and vigilant breed that makes a good watchdog. They have a strong prey drive and will bark to alert their owners of any potential danger.
Adaptability
The breed's ability to adjust to new environments and situations, including whether they are adaptable or may become stressed.
Finnish Spitz is adaptable to different living environments, but they may require more space and exercise when living in an apartment. They can become stressed if left alone for long periods of time.
Shedding
The amount of hair a breed sheds, which can affect allergies and cleanliness.
Finnish Spitz has a double coat that sheds moderately throughout the year, and heavily during shedding season. Regular grooming and brushing can help to keep shedding under control.
Grooming
The amount of maintenance required to keep a breed's coat healthy and clean.
Finnish Spitz requires moderate grooming to keep their double coat healthy and clean. They only require occasional bathing but regular brushing to keep their coat looking neat and glossy.
Drooling
The amount of saliva a breed produces, which can affect cleanliness and potential drool-related issues.
Finnish Spitz is known to be a dry mouth breed that produces little to no drool.
Size
The breed's overall size, including their weight and height.
Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized breed that typically weighs between 25-35 pounds and stands 15-20 inches tall at the shoulder.
Energy
The breed's overall activity level, including their need for exercise and play.
Finnish Spitz is a high-energy breed that requires daily exercise and mental stimulation to maintain good health and prevent destructive behavior. They enjoy activities such as hiking, jogging and playing games with their owners.
Exercise
The breed's need for physical activity and exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Finnish Spitz requires daily exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. They enjoy activities such as hiking, jogging, and playing games with their owners, and can excel in sports such as agility or obedience competitions.
Working
The breed's suitability for working and performing certain tasks or jobs.
Finnish Spitz is a versatile breed that can excel in various activities such as hunting, agility training, and obedience competitions. They have a strong prey drive and can be trained to perform a variety of tasks or jobs.
Hunting
The breed's natural hunting abilities, including their prey drive, scenting abilities, and tracking skills.
Finnish Spitz is a skilled hunting breed that was originally used for hunting small game such as squirrels, birds, and rodents. They have a strong prey drive, good scenting abilities, and excellent tracking skills.
Vigor
The breed's physical stamina and endurance, including their ability to maintain high levels of activity and energy.
Finnish Spitz is a high-vigor breed that requires daily exercise and mental stimulation to maintain good health and prevent destructive behavior. They have high endurance and can tolerate vigorous exercise for extended periods of time.
Health
The breed's overall health and potential health issues, including whether they may be prone to certain illnesses or conditions.
Finnish Spitz is generally a healthy breed, but they may be prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and eye problems. Regular vet check-ups and proper nutrition are important to maintain their overall health.
Obesity
The breed's tendency to gain weight and become overweight or obese, including whether they require extra monitoring and exercise.
Finnish Spitz may be prone to weight gain and obesity if not provided with proper exercise and nutrition. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help prevent obesity and maintain their overall health.
Cold
The breed's ability to tolerate cold weather conditions, including whether they require extra warmth and protection.
Finnish Spitz has a thick and dense coat that provides excellent protection against cold weather conditions. They are well-suited to cold climates and may require extra warmth during colder months.
Heat
The breed's ability to tolerate hot weather conditions, including whether they require extra cooling and protection.
Finnish Spitz has a dense double coat that can insulate them against hot weather conditions. However, they may become uncomfortable in very hot temperatures and require access to shade and cool water to prevent overheating.
Apartment
The breed's suitability for new or inexperienced dog owners, including their trainability and temperament.
Finnish Spitz may not be suitable for apartment living due to their high energy levels and exercise requirements. They require daily exercise and mental stimulation that may be difficult to provide in a smaller living space.
Wanderlust
The breed's tendency to wander or roam, including whether they may become lost or require a lot of supervision.
Finnish Spitz may have a high wanderlust tendency and is prone to roam if not supervised. They require a secure and fenced area to prevent them from escaping and getting lost.
Sensitivity
The breed's sensitivity to criticism or negative reinforcement, including whether they may become stressed or anxious.
Finnish Spitz is a sensitive breed and may become stressed or anxious in response to negative reinforcement or criticism. Positive reinforcement and patience are key when training this breed, and harsh training methods should be avoided.
Separation
The breed's tolerance for being left alone, including whether they may become anxious or destructive.
Finnish Spitz may not tolerate being left alone for long periods of time and can become anxious or destructive if not properly trained and provided with adequate physical and mental stimulation.
Barking
The amount of barking a breed tends to do, including whether they may be vocal or prone to excessive barking.
Finnish Spitz is known for their barking and will bark to alert their owners of any potential danger. However, this behavior can become excessive if not trained and addressed from an early age.
Mental
The breed's need for mental stimulation and engagement, including whether they are intelligent and require challenging activities.
Finnish Spitz is an intelligent breed that requires mental stimulation and engagement to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. They enjoy tasks such as agility training, obedience training and playing interactive games with their owners.
Novice_owners
Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. They're also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies.
Finnish Spitz may not be suitable for novice owners due to their independent nature and high energy levels. They require experienced owners who understand the breed's needs and can provide proper exercise, training, and socialization from an early age.
Trainability
The ease of training a breed, including whether they are intelligent, obedient, and willing to learn.
Finnish Spitz is an intelligent breed that can be trained with consistency, positive reinforcement, and patient training. However, they may have an independent streak and require more time and effort to train.
Affection
The degree to which a breed shows love and affection towards its human family members.
Finnish Spitz is known to bond well with their family members and show love and affection towards them. However, they may be reserved around strangers and require socialization at a young age.
Children
How well a breed interacts with children, including tolerance for play and energy level.
Finnish Spitz is generally good with children, but they may not tolerate very young children due to their high energy levels. Supervision is recommended when around children to avoid accidents.
Dogs
The breed's friendliness and sociability towards other dogs.
Finnish Spitz is friendly with other dogs, but their hunting instincts may lead them to chase other smaller animals. Proper socialization and training is required to prevent any aggressive behavior towards other dogs.
Strangers
The breed's reaction to unfamiliar people, including whether they tend to be wary or friendly.
Finnish Spitz may be reserved around strangers due to their cautious nature. However, they are not aggressive towards strangers and can be trained to become more social.
Playfulness
The breed's activity level and tendency to engage in play and games.
Finnish Spitz is an active and playful breed that enjoys spending time outdoors and playing games with their owners. They require daily exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.
Alertness
The breed's level of awareness and vigilance, which can affect their ability to perform certain tasks or jobs
Finnish Spitz is an alert and vigilant breed that makes a good watchdog. They have a strong prey drive and will bark to alert their owners of any potential danger.
Adaptability
The breed's ability to adjust to new environments and situations, including whether they are adaptable or may become stressed.
Finnish Spitz is adaptable to different living environments, but they may require more space and exercise when living in an apartment. They can become stressed if left alone for long periods of time.
Shedding
The amount of hair a breed sheds, which can affect allergies and cleanliness.
Finnish Spitz has a double coat that sheds moderately throughout the year, and heavily during shedding season. Regular grooming and brushing can help to keep shedding under control.
Grooming
The amount of maintenance required to keep a breed's coat healthy and clean.
Finnish Spitz requires moderate grooming to keep their double coat healthy and clean. They only require occasional bathing but regular brushing to keep their coat looking neat and glossy.
Drooling
The amount of saliva a breed produces, which can affect cleanliness and potential drool-related issues.
Finnish Spitz is known to be a dry mouth breed that produces little to no drool.
Size
The breed's overall size, including their weight and height.
Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized breed that typically weighs between 25-35 pounds and stands 15-20 inches tall at the shoulder.
Energy
The breed's overall activity level, including their need for exercise and play.
Finnish Spitz is a high-energy breed that requires daily exercise and mental stimulation to maintain good health and prevent destructive behavior. They enjoy activities such as hiking, jogging and playing games with their owners.
Exercise
The breed's need for physical activity and exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Finnish Spitz requires daily exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. They enjoy activities such as hiking, jogging, and playing games with their owners, and can excel in sports such as agility or obedience competitions.
Working
The breed's suitability for working and performing certain tasks or jobs.
Finnish Spitz is a versatile breed that can excel in various activities such as hunting, agility training, and obedience competitions. They have a strong prey drive and can be trained to perform a variety of tasks or jobs.
Hunting
The breed's natural hunting abilities, including their prey drive, scenting abilities, and tracking skills.
Finnish Spitz is a skilled hunting breed that was originally used for hunting small game such as squirrels, birds, and rodents. They have a strong prey drive, good scenting abilities, and excellent tracking skills.
Vigor
The breed's physical stamina and endurance, including their ability to maintain high levels of activity and energy.
Finnish Spitz is a high-vigor breed that requires daily exercise and mental stimulation to maintain good health and prevent destructive behavior. They have high endurance and can tolerate vigorous exercise for extended periods of time.
Health
The breed's overall health and potential health issues, including whether they may be prone to certain illnesses or conditions.
Finnish Spitz is generally a healthy breed, but they may be prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and eye problems. Regular vet check-ups and proper nutrition are important to maintain their overall health.
Obesity
The breed's tendency to gain weight and become overweight or obese, including whether they require extra monitoring and exercise.
Finnish Spitz may be prone to weight gain and obesity if not provided with proper exercise and nutrition. A healthy diet and regular exercise can help prevent obesity and maintain their overall health.
Cold
The breed's ability to tolerate cold weather conditions, including whether they require extra warmth and protection.
Finnish Spitz has a thick and dense coat that provides excellent protection against cold weather conditions. They are well-suited to cold climates and may require extra warmth during colder months.
Heat
The breed's ability to tolerate hot weather conditions, including whether they require extra cooling and protection.
Finnish Spitz has a dense double coat that can insulate them against hot weather conditions. However, they may become uncomfortable in very hot temperatures and require access to shade and cool water to prevent overheating.
Apartment
The breed's suitability for new or inexperienced dog owners, including their trainability and temperament.
Finnish Spitz may not be suitable for apartment living due to their high energy levels and exercise requirements. They require daily exercise and mental stimulation that may be difficult to provide in a smaller living space.
Wanderlust
The breed's tendency to wander or roam, including whether they may become lost or require a lot of supervision.
Finnish Spitz may have a high wanderlust tendency and is prone to roam if not supervised. They require a secure and fenced area to prevent them from escaping and getting lost.
Sensitivity
The breed's sensitivity to criticism or negative reinforcement, including whether they may become stressed or anxious.
Finnish Spitz is a sensitive breed and may become stressed or anxious in response to negative reinforcement or criticism. Positive reinforcement and patience are key when training this breed, and harsh training methods should be avoided.
Separation
The breed's tolerance for being left alone, including whether they may become anxious or destructive.
Finnish Spitz may not tolerate being left alone for long periods of time and can become anxious or destructive if not properly trained and provided with adequate physical and mental stimulation.
Barking
The amount of barking a breed tends to do, including whether they may be vocal or prone to excessive barking.
Finnish Spitz is known for their barking and will bark to alert their owners of any potential danger. However, this behavior can become excessive if not trained and addressed from an early age.
Mental
The breed's need for mental stimulation and engagement, including whether they are intelligent and require challenging activities.
Finnish Spitz is an intelligent breed that requires mental stimulation and engagement to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. They enjoy tasks such as agility training, obedience training and playing interactive games with their owners.
Novice_owners
Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. They're also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies.
Finnish Spitz may not be suitable for novice owners due to their independent nature and high energy levels. They require experienced owners who understand the breed's needs and can provide proper exercise, training, and socialization from an early age.
Trainability
The ease of training a breed, including whether they are intelligent, obedient, and willing to learn.
Finnish Spitz is an intelligent breed that can be trained with consistency, positive reinforcement, and patient training. However, they may have an independent streak and require more time and effort to train.
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History of the Finnish Spitz
Finnish Spitz is an ancient breed that can be traced back to the wild spitz-type dogs that lived in the forests of Finland thousands of years ago. The breed was originally used for hunting small game, such as squirrels and birds. They were highly valued for their ability to locate game with their acute sense of hearing and sight, and then alert their human hunting companions with their distinctive 'yodeling' bark.

Finnish Spitz Puppies
Finnish Spitz puppies are adorable and playful, but they require proper socialization and training to become well-behaved adults. It is important to start training and socialization early on to prevent any behavioral issues. As with all puppies, it is important to provide them with proper nutrition and veterinary care.