Finnish Spitz

Finnish Spitz
Group: Hound
Size: Medium
Coat length: Medium
Grooming required: More than once a week
Coat sheds: No
Home size: Small or Large House
Garden size: Small/Medium
Lifespan: Over 10 Years
Exercise: Up to 1 hour per day
The Finnish Spitz was not named the "barking bird dog" for nothing. They were bred to bark and even take part in barking contests.

There is something fox-like in their appearance. They have a a foxy face and reddish colouring. Their body is muscular and square and their impressive tail curls up and over the body in typical spitz fashion. The double coat is typically spitz too with a dense undercoat and rather harsh top coat.

They originally came from Russia but are now the national dog of Finland. They were used to hunt small game and would alert the hunter with a yodelling bark.

They are friendly, loyal, lively, intelligent and brave. They tend not to be fully mature until about 3 or 4 years old. They generally get on well with people and children and with the right training, they will get along with other animals. They need plenty of exercise, especially outdoors.

Their coat is fairy easy to maintain but they shed heavily at certain times of the year. There are no known health problems.