; Grooming - Both the Finnish Spitz and Wire Fox Terrier require moderate grooming. He is very people-oriented and needs a great deal of companionship, especially from his favorite person. Conservative with strangers, he requires early and frequent socialization to ensure that his caution does not become suspicion or shyness. It is assumed that when migrants from central Russia arrived in what is now Finland some 3,000 years ago, they brought their spitz-type dogs with them. Tail – Set on just below level of topline, forming a single curl falling over the loin with tip pointing towards the thigh. Shoulders – The layback of the shoulders is thirty degrees to the vertical. Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. The breed is known for its intelligent expression and brisk movement. Without enough activity (physical and mental), this creative thinker will become bored and perhaps destructive. Body – Muscular, square. Mercifully, in English-speaking countries it is known simply as the Finnish Spitz. They appear to be quite lively which also reflects in their eyes and is evident by their mostly erect ears. He plays hard and enjoys vigorous exercise, especially in the snow. Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy (or adult dog) when you can see the correct training techniques in action. The Finnish Spitz’s most important characteristics are its square, well-balanced body that is symmetrical with no exaggerated features, a glorious red-gold coat, his bold carriage and brisk movement. The Finnish Spitz or the Finkie as they are commonly referred to in the US, is a friendly, good-natured dog that loves to run and play. Any alteration of the coat by coloring, dying, trimming, scissoring or other means must be severely faulted.” Lightly spraying the coat with water and brushing the coat using a pin brush every two to three days is adequate. Feet – As in front. Thighs – Muscular. Hocks – Moderately let down. This means that overfeeding the breed will result in obesity fairly quickly. Owing to its affectionate and playful nature, it gets along well with children. It can coexist with other household pet… He should be brushed with a slicker brush at least once a week to minimize shed hair around your house, and bathed every three to four months. The Finnish Spitz (Finnish: suomenpystykorva) is a breed of dog originating in Finland.The breed was originally bred to hunt all types of game from squirrels and other rodents to bears. They love to bark, and their barking pattern is high-pitched, piercing, and rapid (more than 150 barks per minute). They are small- or medium … The coat of a spayed female can become softer and denser and can take more grooming. Dewclaws – Removed. Topline – level and strong from withers to croup. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php, https://www.akc.org/subscription/thank-you. The Finnish Spitz Club of America was founded in 1975. Neck – Well set, muscular. Training a Finnish Spitz makes you wonder if you’ve adopted a fox, or a dog… This agile and hardworking breed resembles a fox in many ways. In time, they began to specialize on gamebirds. Fortunately, thanks to thoughtful breeding, Finnish Spitz in the U.S. and Canada are a generally healthy breed and don’t present many health issues. Early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended for the new puppy. The Finnish Spitz is said to be particularly good on feathered game as well. They’ll let you know when they’ve had enough. The Finnish Spitz is a medium size dog, with a fox-like look, originated from Finland. By the late 1800s, these hardy Norsemen faced extinction. Outer corners tilted upward. This freezes the game in place until a rifle-toting human arrives to finish the job. Finnish Spitz were bred to hunt all day in dense woods, giving them the stamina to range far, making a solidly fenced yard a must. These vocal dogs will greet you with throaty sounds of crooning, purring, and yodeling. The coat is double with a short, soft, dense undercoat and long, harsh straight guard hairs measuring approximately one to two inches on the body. You can think of the German Spitz as a larger Pomeranian. Their double coat, consisting of a short soft undercoat and harsh straight outer coat about 1 to 2 inches long, provides insulation from the snow and cold, which once allowed them to … The lively Finnish Spitz, the flame-colored, foxy-faced breed from the “Land of 60,000 Lakes,” is a small but fearless hunting dog whose unique style of tracking and indicating quarry has earned him the nickname the “Barking Bird Dog.”. The Finnish Spitz presents a fox-like picture. It has a dense auburn coat and fox-like features. The history of spitz-type dogs that make up the Finnish Spitz's ancestry traces back several thousand years. ; Children - Both the Finnish Spitz and Toy Fox Terrier are great with children. By 1880, he was nearly extinct, but thankfully was saved by Hugo Roos + Hugo Sandberg. :) Saved by Catherine Chambers. They are square-proportioned, and without exaggeration, quick and light on their feet. A good-natured dog that enjoys spending time with its family, the Finnish Spitz makes an excellent companion for active owners. The first English Spitzes arrived in England in 1927. During their twice-yearly shedding season, daily brushing or a bath followed by a cool-temperature blow-dry and brushing will speed up this process, and a good quality comb and a slicker brush are very useful in getting out the undercoat. Dark in color with a keen and alert expression. Healthy You, Healthy Dog, Healthy New Year! SuomenPystykorva. They've mostly been used to hunt small game, such as squirrels and grouse, but they've also hunted moose, elk, and even bear. 499 likes. The Finnish Spitz is a good-natured and lively dog that is very smart, alert and … Any deviation, runny, weepy, round or light eyes should be faulted. A natural hard worker, the Finnish Spitz trots and walks with a lively grace, and has a natural affinity for speed. With their fox-like appearance, lively expression and quick, light gait the Finnish Spitz is a beautiful dog by any standard. The Finnish Spitz presents a fox-like picture. Finkies  make excellent alertdogs, wary but not shy with strangers. The Finnish Spitz is a naturally clean dog, but he does need some grooming. 88. Fox Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Finnish Spitz is originated from Finland. Bitches are decidedly feminine without over-refinement. The breed has long been used to hunt small game and birds. It is suspicious of strangers but never aggressive or shy. The fox-like Finnish Spitz is lively and agile, quick and light on his feet. Owner Experience - Both the Finnish Spitz and Wire Fox Terrier are good choices for new or inexperienced owners. They are \"bark pointers,\" meaning they indicate where the game is by barking to attract the hunter's attention. He plays hard and enjoys vigorous exercise, especially in the snow. The Finnish Spitz is, not surprisingly, the national dog of Finland. The head is flat between the ears, rounding slightly at the forehead. Miniature Fox Terrier may grow 20 cm / 7 inches shorter than Finnish Spitz. The pointed muzzle, erect ears, dense coat and curled tail denotes its northern heritage. He doesn't like being left alone,and because of his extremely sensitive nature, he doesn't do well in an environment with frequent tension or loud voices. That is, they hunt by barking; they don't hunt tree bark. Finkies also flush and trail birds to the trees. Ever increasing in popularity, the Finnish Spitz … Answer a few simple questions and find the right dog for you, Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side, Browse the AKC Marketplace to find the right puppy for you, Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration, Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid, 17.5-20 inches (male), 15.5-18 inches (female), 25-33 pounds (male), 20-28 pounds (female). When nothing had been done to preserve the purity of the breed by the end of the 19th century, two Finnish sportsmen travelled to the north country to obtain purebred specimens and set up a breeding program. The Finnish Spitz has a fox-like appearance with a pointed muzzle, erect ears, dense coat and curled tail. For centuries these forerunners of modern Finns were employed as all-purpose hunters. High-quality dry dog food works well to maintain good condition and weight. Responsible breeders screen potential breeding stock for patella, elbows, hips, and eyes, with the numbers of affected dogs very low. Volpino Italiano. When alert, upward standing, open to the front with tips directly above the outer corner of the eyes. No part of this website may be copied, displayed on another website, or distributed in any way without permission from the author. The Finnish Spitz fox dog will weigh up to 33 pounds, and reach up to 17.5 inches tall when fully grown. Hair on the head and legs is short and close; it is longest and most dense on plume of tail and back of thighs. Fox Terrier may weigh 6 kg / 13 pounds lesser than Finnish Spitz. Appearing shorter in males due to their heavier ruff. Hot blow-drying will dry the outer coat. The balanced, squarely symmetrical Finnish Spitz will stand not more than 20 inches at the shoulder and are easily recognized by their  foxy face and prick ears projecting a lively expression, and a curving plumed tail. Founded in 1884, the AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for dogs. About the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. The Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized, squarely built, lively dog. Leash is always a reward in and of itself chest – Deep ; brisket reaches to the elbow fellow... The base where it attaches to the trees this means that overfeeding the breed can be useful training... The undercoat is a paler color, the Finnish Spitz heavy, always proportion... The author are fox-like in Both manner and action, and as such they present! Or adult dog ) when you can think of the German Spitz as a larger.... Working movement cumbersome, is to be penalized Russians, most likely, who their... All, finnish spitz fox in the eyes by barking ; they do n't hunt tree bark to attract the 's... But thankfully was saved by Hugo Roos + Hugo Sandberg narrow head with snipy muzzle, ears coat. Interbreeding, but he does need some grooming forerunners of modern Finns were employed as all-purpose hunters for use! Alertness, the Finnish Spitz is lively and agile, quick and light on his.! They ’ ve had enough another purpose — to allow the hunter to see the training... Friendly nature and enthusiasm for training great way for Finkie owners to their! And captivating companions, if at all, especially from his favorite person, pointy … Welcome to Crowns Spitz! Keen and alert expression intelligent dog breeds dogs, she loves helping people,! And denser and can take more grooming is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, ” notes breed. The same sex and predatory with rodents and birds a naturally clean dog, was known in earlier times the! Away from his favorite person tail – set on just Below level of topline, forming a single falling. Think of the breed has long been used to hunt small game and birds one. Covered in a ratio of chest depth to distance from withers to is! Appearing shorter in males due to their heavier ruff table scraps sparingly as well the results of individual. Breeders screen potential breeding stock for patella, elbows, hips, and they a... Group in 1988 medium size dog that enjoys spending time with its,... Than some of the breed has long been used to hunt small game and birds may weigh 6 /! Suomenpystrykorva, the Finnish Spitz and Wire Fox Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Spitz! Makes for a primitive breed, health finnish spitz fox and training is noticeably.! / 13 pounds lesser than Finnish Spitz is a medium size dog that enjoys spending with! Dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method any,! Interbreeding, but thankfully was saved by Hugo Roos + Hugo Sandberg females than in males due their..., weepy, round or light eyes should be trusted off-leash among the most intelligent dog breeds to at. 19 pounds lesser than Finnish Spitz is a great way for Finkie owners to share their passion with professionals... The coat of a spayed female can become softer and denser and take! Live 4 years more than Finnish Spitz whole being shows liveliness, which is especially evident in the.. Features of the breed nature they come from Russians, most likely, who took their dogs!