Finnish Spitz
Quick Facts:
- AKC recognized in 1988
- Lifespan: 13-15 years
- Size: Medium
- Energy: High
- Recommended Crate Size: 36" dog crates*
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Finnish Spitz is one the breeds considered as national dogs of Finland. This dog has a thick coat with small ears. The Spitz itself is taken from a German word which means “sharp”. This dog can live in colder climates like those that are found in the North.
At first glance, this breed resembles a polar wolf, but it is a friendly dog. The origin of Finnish Spitz is not clear, but most people think that it originated from the Arctic. Others think that the Finnish Spitz was the descendant of the polar wolf. However, there is no significant evidence that conclusively supports these theories.
Breed
The American Kennel Club formally recognized the Finnish Spitz in 1988. These high energy dogs are known as eager, friendly, courageous, lively, good-natured, and faithful dogs. These dogs can reach up to 33 pounds and 20 inches high. Even though these dogs look like wolves, they are still friendly to children and other people. They are also very active and love running or exploring.
Appearance
As it is mentioned previously, this Finnish Spitz really resembles a wolf. Formerly, this dog was used to hunt in the forest. This dog has small ears and a sharp face. The coat is really thick, which makes it particularly suitable for snowy environments. The tail is curled over its back. In general, the fur color of Finnish Spitz is brown. However, there are also some other colors such as gray, white, and yellow.
Nutrition
It is recommended to provide feed formulated to medium-sized breeds. It is highly recommended to discuss your dog’s feed with your veterinarian and/or breeder in order to determine size and frequency of meals in order to ensure a health, long life. It is also important to ensure that clean, fresh water is always available.
Grooming
Finnish Spitz is known as one of the cleanest dogs in the world, only needing periodic bathing. Owners can clean the coat twice a week by brushing the fur to get rid of any dirt and debris on its body. The nails of this dog are very strong so owners need to cut them regularly to prevent it from cracking or overgrowing. The ears also need to be checked at least once a week to make sure that the ears are free of wax and debris. The last is to brush the teeth regularly to keep the teeth healthy.
Exercise
Finnish Spitz is a very active dog that loves to play outdoors. This hearkens back to when it was used to hunt some birds and deer in the forest by the Finnish many years ago. Today this dog has become a good companion dog and is more frequently kept as a pet. Owners can train this dog to play some catching games or it can also be trained to bark. In Finland, owners always train their Finnish Spitz dogs for King Barker contest purposes.
Pet Crate Size
Pet Crates Direct recommends 36” dog crates* for most adult Finnish Spitz.
* Links for crate sizes will bring you to the most appropriate Amazon page.
