Alt Names: Finsk Spets Country of Origin: Finland

History: A Finnish Spitz is a breed of dog originating in Finland. The breed is thought to be an old one, bred as a hunting dog. It is a "bark pointer", indicating the position of game by barking to attract the hunter's attention. It has been used mostly to bark at game that flees into trees, such as squirrels, grouses, and capercaillies, but it serves well also to hunt moose and elk. Some individuals have been known to go after even a bear, despite the dog's small size. In its native country, the breed is still mostly used as a hunting dog, but as it is very friendly and loves children, in other countries it serves mainly as a house pet. The Finnish Spitz has been the national dog of Finland since 1979.

Appearance: The Finnish Spitz has a square build, meaning that the length of the body is approximately the same as the height of the withers. The thick coat may distort the over-all appearance of the dog. He should have rounded, cat-like feet and dew claws on all four feet, although the rear dew claws are always removed in show specimens. The Finnish Spitz should have a very chiseled and sharp appearance, with a face and expression resembling that of a fox and the typical Spitz tail that curls over the back.

Temperament: Finnish Spitz are a lively, faithful, and intelligent breed of dog. They love playing with children, and are excellent companion dogs, which makes them an ideal family pet. They rarely show aggression unless needed (they are a breed who like to protect their family) but they do love the sound of their own voices. Careful training will need to be undertaken to teach him that his barking is both unnecessary and unwanted, although the barking does come in useful if you are looking for a watchdog, as the Finnish Spitz will very happily locate anything that is out of the ordinary and alert their owners to it.

Because of his intelligence, he is an independent and strong-willed dog and is best trained with a soft voice and touch. He will easily become bored with repetitive training and so sessions should be kept short and to the point, making patience a must-have for any owner. This trait, unfortunately, makes him a poor choice for obedience training, which is a shame, as those who have persevered in training this breed have gained an obedient dog who excels in competitions.