FINNISH SPITZ Breed Standards
In its native Finland, the Finnish Spitz is called Suomenpystykorva (meaning “Finnish prick-eared dog”) and has been used as a hunter and watchdog for centuries. The dog migrated north thousands of years ago with some of the first human inhabitants of modern Finland. In frozen isolation, the Finnish Spitz remained pure and unchanged by man until the 19th century, when it became so interbred with other dogs it was nearly destroyed. Fortunately two Finnish sportsmen, Hugo Sandberg and Hugo Roos, noticed the Spitz’s peril and worked to propagate pure bloodlines of the breed during the late 19th century. The Finnish Spitz was brought to England during the 1920s and the United States during the 1960s, where it was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991.
Away from its native home the Finnish Spitz is most commonly seen as a family pet and loving companion. In Finland, on the other hand, the dog is still used in much the same way it has been since time immemorial. The Finn’s primary quarry is a large turkey-like game bird called the capercaille, though the dog has also been used to hunt elk and even bears on occasion – no small feat for a dog that rarely exceeds 40 pounds in weight. The dog hunts by locating prey and driving it into the open or back toward its master with loud, piercing barks. The Finnish Spitz is the national dog of Finland, where it is prized for its unique barking prowess.
SKILLS: The Finnish Spitz, presents a fox-like picture. The breed has long been used to hunt small game and birds. The pointed muzzle, erect ears, dense coat and curled tail denotes its northern heritage. The Finnish Spitz whole being shows liveliness, which is especially evident in the eyes, ears and tail. Males are decidedly masculine without coarseness. Bitches are decidedly feminine without over-refinement.
The Finnish Spitz' most important characteristics are its square, well-balanced body that is symmetrical with no exaggerated features, a glorious red-gold coat, his bold carriage and brisk movement.
Any deviation from the ideal described standard should be penalized to the extent of the deviation. Structural faults common to all breeds are as undesirable in the Finnish Spitz as in any other breed, even though such faults may not be mentioned in the standard.
SIZE: Size - Height at the withers in dogs, 17½ to 20 inches; in bitches, 15½ to 18 inches. Proportion - Square: length from forechest to buttocks equal to height from withers to ground. The coat may distort the square appearance. Substance - Substance and bone in proportion to overall dog.
COAT: The coat is double with a short, soft, dense undercoat and long, harsh straight guard hairs measuring approximately one to two inches on the body. Hair on the head and legs is short and close; it is longest and most dense on plume of tail and back of thighs. The outer coat is stiffer and longer on the neck and back, and in males considerably more profuse at the shoulder, giving them a more ruffed appearance. Males carry more coat than females. No trimming of the coat except for feet is allowed. Whiskers shall not be trimmed. Any trimming of coat shall be severely faulted. Silky, wavy, long or short coat is to be faulted.
Color - Varying shades of golden-red ranging from pale honey to deep auburn are allowed, with no preference given to shades at either extreme so long as the color is bright and clear. As the undercoat is a paler color, the effect of this shading is a coat which appears to glow. White markings on the tips of the toes and a quarter-sized spot or narrow white strip, ideally no wider than ½ inch, on the forechest are permitted. Black hairs along lipline and sparse, separate black hairs on tail and back permitted. Puppies may have a good many black hairs which decrease with age, black on tail persisting longer. Muddy or unclear color, any white on the body except as specified, is to be penalized.
CARE REQUIRED: The Finnish Spitz has a self-cleaning coat - as do most other Arctic dogs. Regular grooming with brush and comb is still necessary to remove dead hair. The coat does not have a doggie odor. This breed is a seasonally heavy shedder.
CHARACTER: Active and friendly, lively and eager, faithful; brave, but cautious. Shyness, any tendency toward unprovoked aggression is to be penalized.
EXERCISE: The Finnish Spitz needs plenty of exercise. With enough it will be content to lay at your feet at night. It is an excellent jogging companion.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: The Finnish Spitz will do okay in an apartment and without a yard provided it gets enough exercise. It is relatively inactive indoors and prefers cool climates.
TRAINING: The Finnish Spitz is a dog that requires much patience and understanding, together with a consistent manner. If these elements go into its training it can be a very satisfactory pet.
