Finnish Spitz

General Information - Finnish Spitz

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History

The Finnish Spitz, also known as the Finsk Spets and the Suomenpystykorva, came from Finland centuries ago, where it was originally used to track large game such as bears and elk. In more recent times it has been used as a "bark pointer" for birds and small game. Its breed standard dates back to 1812. This typical spitz-type dog is built ruggedly and has a very fox-like appearance.

Temperament

The Finnish Spitz is a very lively and intelligent dog. It loves children but can often insist on getting its own way, so early training is strongly suggested. If you want a very vocal dog, this one fits the bill.

Upkeep

This is an active and lively breed that needs daily exercise, either a long walk on leash or a run in a fenced area. As Finkies are hunters by nature, care must be taken that they do not go off on a hunt by themselves. The Finkie can live outdoors in temperate and cool climates, but it enjoys living indoors. Its double coat needs brushing one or two times weekly, more often when shedding. It is not oily, so the Finkie has little doggy odour, in fact, the Finkie is a particularly clean breed.

Finnish Spitz

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Finnish Spitz

Characteristics: The Finnish Spitz characteristics are eagerness to hunt, courage, tempered with caution, fidelity and intelligence.

General Appearance: The dog is considerably larger and carries more coat than the bitch. Bearing bold. The whole appearance, particularly eyes, ears, and tail indicates liveliness.

Head: Medium sized and clean cut. Longer than it is broad in the ratio of 7:4. Forehead slightly arched, stop pronounced. Muzzle narrow, seen from above and from the sides evenly tapering. Nose pitch black. Lips tightly closed and thin. Scissor bite.

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

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

Neck: Muscular, of medium length: in males it may appear to be shorter due to a 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.

Feet: Preferably round. Hind dew claws are always removed. Removal of front dew claws optional.

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

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

Colour: On the back reddish:brown or red:gold, preferably bright. The hairs on inner sides of ears, cheeks, under the muzzle, on the breast, abdomen, behind the shoulders, inside the legs, back of thighs, underside of tail, of lighter shades. Undercoat is also a lighter colour, making the whole coat glow. White markings on toes and a narrow white stripe, not exceeding 2 cm (0.75 in) in width, on the breast permitted. Black hairs on lips and sparse separate black:pointed hairs on back and tail are permitted, even desirable. Puppies may have a good many black hairs which decrease with age, black on the tail persisting longer.

Gait: Light and springy, quick and graceful.

Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Copyright Dogs New Zealand
01 Jan 2002

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.