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Finnish Spitz
Hound
| Group: |
Hound |
 |
| Size: |
medium |
| Lifespan: |
12-14 years |
| Exercise: |
medium |
| Grooming: |
medium |
| Trainability: |
medium |
| Watchdog ability: |
high |
| Protection ability: |
medium |
| Area of Origin: |
Finland |
| Date of Origin: |
ancient times |
| Other Names: |
Suomenpystykorva,
Finsk Spets |
| Original Function: |
hunting birds and
small mammals |
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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. |
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| 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 odor;
in fact, the Finkie is a particularly clean breed. |
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Official Breed Standard |
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.
Weight and Size:
Height at withers and length of body in males 44 to 50 cm (17 to
20 in), in females 39 to 45 cm (15.5 to 18 in). Approximate weight
in males 14 to 16 kg (31 to 36 lb), in females 10 to 13 kg (23 to
29 lb).
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.
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