Finnish Spitz Picture Gallery

Finnish Spitz Breeders

Finnish Spitz Clubs/Associations

The Full Finnish Spitz Description

This beautiful dog looks like a fox, and he's as clever as one. Finnish Spitz dogs are devoted to their families and love frisky play with kids. They are active and "barkative", with sounds ranging from soft "singing" and yodeling to high-pitched barking. They are intelligent and independent thinkers. While Finn's are affectionate with their families, they may be shy around strangers and other dogs.

Did you know?

The Finnish Spitz is the national dog of Finland. In Finland, contests are held annually to select a "King Barker." Except in Finland, the Finnish Spitz is primarily a house dog.

So you want to own a Finnish Spitz?

The Finnish Spitz is prized in Finland for its handsome fox-like appearance, lively personality and loyal disposition.
The Finnish Spitz is a faithful companion.
He has functioned since earliest times as a natural bark pointer, who directs the hunter to the location of treed game by a distinctive bark or yodel.

Indicative Breed Standard

General Appearance

Appearance Dog considerably larger and carrying more coat than the bitch. Bearing bold. Whole appearance, particularly eyes, ears and tail indicates liveliness. Compact, hard-conditioned hunting dog with medium bone and no suggestion of coarseness.

Characteristics

Eagerness to hunt, courage tempered with caution, fidelity and intelligence.

Temperament

Alert, lively, friendly but independent.

Head and Skull

Head medium sized and clean cut. Longer than broad. Forehead slightly arched, stop moderate. Muzzle narrow, seen from above and from sides, evenly tapering. Nose pitch black. Lips black, tightly closed and thin.

Eyes

Medium sized, lively, preferably dark. Almond shaped with black rims, set slightly aslant, with outer corners tilted upwards.

Ears

Small, cocked, sharply pointed. Fine in texture and mobile.

Mouth

Jaws strong with perfect regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck

Muscular, of medium length, with no excess of skin or fat. In males may appear shorter due to dense ruff.

Forequarters

Strong and straight.

Body

Almost square in outline. Back straight and strong. Chest deep. Belly slightly drawn up.

Hindquarters

Strong. Only moderate turn of stifle. Hock of medium angulation.

Feet

Preferably round. Hind dewclaws always removed. Removal of front dewclaws optional.

Tail

Plumed, curves vigorously from its root in an arch, forward downward and backward, then pressing down against thigh, with its tip extending to middle part of thigh. Extended, the bone of tail usually reaches to hock joint.

Gait/Movement

Light and springy, quick and graceful, with drive.

Coat

On head and front of legs short and close, on body and back of legs longish, semi-erect, stiffer on neck and back. Outer coat on shoulders considerably longer and coarser, particularly in males. On back of thighs and on tail, hair longer and denser. No trimming allowed, not even of whiskers. Undercoat hort, soft and dense.

Colour

On back reddish-brown or red gold, preferably bright. Hairs on inner sides of ears, cheeks, under muzzle, on breast, abdomen, behind shoulders, inside legs, back of thighs, underside of tail, of lighter shades.
Undercoat also a lighter colour, making whole coat glow. Narrow white stripe not exceeding one and half centimetres in width on breast permitted. Black hairs on lips and sparse separate black pointed hairs on back and tail permitted. Puppies may have black hairs which decrease with age, black on tail persisting longer.

Size

Height at withers: dogs: 43-50 cms (17-20 ins); bitches: 39-45 cms (151/2-18 ins). Weight: 14-16 kgs (31-35 lbs).