Dog Breed

Finnish Spitz

Primary image of Finnish Spitz dog breed
Full Name
Finnish Spitz
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Life Span
12 - 15 years
Weight
23 - 28 pounds
Description

Playful, Loyal, Independent, Intelligent, Happy, Vocal

Origin
Finland
Bred For
Hunting birds, small mammals
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Finnish Spitz good with children?

    Yes, the Finnish Spitz is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Finnish Spitz naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Finnish Spitz friendly with strangers?

    Yes, the Finnish Spitz is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Finnish Spitz is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Finnish Spitz friendly with other dogs?

    Yes, the Finnish Spitz is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Finnish Spitz is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Finnish Spitz like to cuddle?

    The Finnish Spitz likes to cuddle up every once in a while. They appreciate physical affection, but probably won't stay in your lap for extended amounts of time.
    Playfulness

    Does the Finnish Spitz like to play?

    The Finnish Spitz is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Finnish Spitz make a good service dog?

    The Finnish Spitz is not typically used as a service dog. There are always exceptions to the rule, but a service dog has to have many natural traits in addition to the proper training- smart, patient, and obsessed with pleasing their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Finnish Spitz good for first-time owners?

    The Finnish Spitz is not the easiest breed for first-time owners, but can certainly still work out if the owner is willing to put the time into training and exercise.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Finnish Spitz be trained?

    The Finnish Spitz can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Finnish Spitz can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Finnish Spitz shed a lot?

    The Finnish Spitz sheds a lot! They may still shed less than a few other breeds, but be prepared for dog hair throughout the home and on your clothes.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Finnish Spitz easy to groom?

    The Finnish Spitz requires some grooming, but less than the average dog breed. Typically you will not need to take the Finnish Spitz to the pet salon, and occasional combing at home should be enough.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Finnish Spitz need a lot of exercise?

    The Finnish Spitz needs a daily exercise partner! The Finnish Spitz is best suited for a family where it will get plenty of daily exercise; it has so much energy that exercise is mandatory to avoid destructive behaviors.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Finnish Spitz?

    The Finnish Spitz is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Finnish Spitz bark? Does the Finnish Spitz bark too much?

    The Finnish Spitz barks a lot. This is important to consider with your living situation- will it be ok when you leave them at home alone or will they disrupt the neighbors? The Finnish Spitz will oftentimes bark just to express their thoughts... even just to be heard!
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Finnish Spitz a good guard dog?

    The Finnish Spitz would not make a good guard dog. They can be alert, but typically do not have the desire or instinct to take on "guarding" as their job.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Finnish Spitz good at staying alone? Is the Finnish Spitz independent?

    The Finnish Spitz considers their owner part of the "pack" and hates being left behind. This can be a good thing for someone looking for an emotional support dog who is loyal and always by their side, but bad if the dog will need to be left at home alone for extended periods.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Finnish Spitz a good apartment dog?

    The Finnish Spitz is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
    Size

    How big is the Finnish Spitz?

    The Finnish Spitz is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Finnish Spitz tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Finnish Spitz?

    The Finnish Spitz does not tolerate hot weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Finnish Spitz if you live in a very hot weather climate. At the minimum, they would need a home with air conditioning.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Finnish Spitz tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Finnish Spitz?

    The Finnish Spitz does very well in cold weather, and loves the snow. They were built for it!
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Finnish Spitz try to run away?

    The Finnish Spitz has huge wanderlust, meaning that it's natural for them to want to run away. They are known as escape artists. It's important to test your yard and have a tall fence that cannot be jumped or climbed over. Sometimes the Finnish Spitz is not well suited for being off-leash, even if they are well trained.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Finnish Spitz a healthy dog? The health of a Finnish Spitz should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Finnish Spitz is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Finnish Spitz high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Finnish Spitz?

    It seems like the Finnish Spitz never runs out of energy. If you are looking for a 5 AM run partner, the Finnish Spitz is your dog! A dog's energy level is one of the most important considerations when getting a new dog, and we would only recommend the Finnish Spitz for a family where it will get plenty of exercise.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Finnish Spitz drool?

    The Finnish Spitz drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Finnish Spitz have a large prey drive? Does the Finnish Spitz like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Finnish Spitz has a high prey drive and has a natural tendency to chase after any small animal. Every case is unique, but the Finnish Spitz may not be the best dog for living with other cats or small animals.
    Athleticism

    Is the Finnish Spitz atheltic?

    The Finnish Spitz is very athletic and would be well suited for a family that frequently works out or goes on adventures.
  • Secondary image of Finnish Spitz dog breed

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  • Thumbnail image 0 of Finnish Spitz dog breed
  • Thumbnail image 1 of Finnish Spitz dog breed
  1. Non-Sporting
  2. Spitz
  3. Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz is a purebred dog that belongs to the Spitz sub group, which falls under the larger Non-Sporting dog breed group.
Non-Sporting group: The Non-Sporting group of dogs is probably the most diverse in the sense that it has a variety of dogs, and they were not all bred for one specific purpose. Each breed in the non-sporting group is unique! They have been primarily bred as house pets, and because of that make excellent additions to the family. Exercise is still important for them, but the typical non-sporting dog does not have the energy of of a sporting or working group dog.
Spitz sub-group: Spitz breeds are some of the dog world's most ancient dogs. They have a distinct wolf-like appearance with pointy ears, and a heavy double coat, and a big bushy tail that curls over the back. The majority of them are perfect for cold climates, as they originate from the Nordics, Russia, and Canada. There are many spitz type of breeds, and sometimes it is debated which dogs are "true spitz" breeds. Spitz dogs love the outdoors and love adventure.

Finnish Spitzs for adoption

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