One does not become a country’s national dog without a deep-rooted history and cultural impact. Enter the Finnish Spitz. They are Finland’s poster pups and are beloved as much today as they were thousands of years ago. While their purposes might have evolved, these hunting dogs remain a treasure in Finland. Keep reading to discover their multiple names, personality, and what makes these dogs so special.
1. These Dogs Are Finland’s Oldest Dog Breed
The Finnish Spitz is one of Finland’s oldest dog breeds, and its origins date back 2,000 years. It’s believed the ancestors of these dogs were imported by Russian migrants who settled in present-day Finland. This breed’s history reflects the lifestyle and traditions of forest dwellers.
Historically, the pups were used as all-purpose hunters. However, once their exceptional ability to track game and alert their hunters was recognized, the Finnish Spitz carved its name in the gamebird hunting niche. These original dogs were likely crossbred with other local and spitz-type breeds, resulting in today’s breed standard.
In 1892, a description for a “Finnish barking bird dog” was accepted by the contemporary kennel club, and the name was officially changed to “Finnish Spitz” in 1897.
2. The Breed’s Name Describes the Dog
This is a breed of many names. Finnish Spitzes are known in Finland as the Suomenpystykorva, which roughly translates to “Finland’s vertical ear”. This likely refers to their pointy, alert ears that are set high on their heads. English speakers found that this word didn’t roll off the tongue and created easier-to-pronounce nicknames, including “Finkies” and “Finns”.
We also can’t ignore the second part of the name: Spitz. This term refers to a collection of dog breeds with independent personalities, strong prey drives, and trademark physical traits, such as:
- Stocky bodies
- Curly tails that fold over the back
- Sharp ears
- Almond-shaped eyes
- Thick, double coats
Some popular examples of spitz dogs are Shiba Inus, Pomeranians, Chow Chows, Huskies, and their pocket-size version, Alaskan Klee Kais.
3. These Dogs Have a Unique Hunting Style
Watching a Finnish Spitz is an experience of its own. These dogs use multiple senses to locate game or smaller prey and give their owner a heads-up. Here’s what a typical encounter looks like:
1. The Finkies’ nose catches a whiff of a nearby gamebird.
2. Once they track the bird, they wag their tail slowly and bark at a lightning-fast speed that can reach 160 barks per minute. Besides the quickness, the sounds they emit are unique as they sound more like yodels.
3. While the dog distracts the bird, their owner follows the curly, swaying tail and takes care of the game.
If that show were not impressive enough, Finkies can chase their prey in extreme Finnish terrain, over hundreds of meters, and also retrieve waterfowl after it’s been shot down.
4. These Dogs Have a Fox-Like Appearance
Finnish Spitzes have recognizable, fox-like faces with triangular, pointy ears, and a sharp muzzle. When their facial features are relaxed, it almost looks like they are staring at you with a small smile. Like other spitz breeds, they have a stocky body, stand about 15 ½ to 20 inches tall at the shoulders, and weigh between 20 and 33 pounds with males being taller and heavier.
They also have a red golden coat with a slightly lighter underbelly and a thin white stripe on the chest, or white markings on the toes may be present. Surprisingly, Finnish Spitz puppies are born with black fur that disappears as they enter adulthood to reveal a bright, glowing double cat. Another key trait is the poofy, curly tail that folds over the lower back.
5. These Dogs Need Regular Brushing
Luckily, the Finkies’ double coat, with a shorter, dense undercoat and a longer, sharper top fur layer doesn’t mean it needs additional maintenance. The fur should be brushed every week and on a daily basis during the twice-a-year shedding sessions. Slicker brushes are great to get under the topcoat and into the thick double coat to encourage shedding and speed up the process.
In terms of trims, this is a “natural” breed that doesn’t need haircuts. The only exception to the “no haircut” recommendation is the occasional trim around the paw pad. Owners are encouraged simply to brush and wash the pups and blow dry their coats on the lowest setting, if needed. It is not advised to use a high heat setting for drying because it will dry out their outer coat. And remember: never shave a double-coated dog!
6. Finnish Spitz Thrive with Regular Exercise
Not surprisingly, the Finnish Spitz is a high-energy canine that’s moderately playful and needs a job or activity. They have preserved their hunting dog genes for thousands of years and require an outlet to satisfy their tracking urges. Daily walks and runs that are 30 minutes to 1 hour long give them ample time to explore their neighborhood and use any excess energy.
During these excursions, it is crucial to keep them on a leash. It’s better to be safe than sorry and not run into the scenario where a pup’s high prey drive gets the best of them, and they take off running after a squirrel, mouse, or other small animal. While they can be let off the leash in an enclosed area, it’s always a good idea to supervise their outdoor playtime and double-check that all doors are locked.
7. Finnish Spitz Can Be Stubborn While Training
The American Kennel Club (AKC) rates this breed a three out of five on the trainability scale, meaning they do moderately well with training sessions. Finnish Spitz enthusiasts will note that the challenge lies in this breed’s independent, intelligent, and slightly stubborn tendencies. They become bored easily, making short training sessions preferable. These pups are extremely vocal, so it’s recommended to train them early on against unnecessary barking and reactions.
As self-willed dogs, they respond best to positive reinforcement-based training. Similar to most other breeds, Finnish Spitzes prefer praise and rewards over corrective statements. They are also food motivated, but yummy treats should be limited as their effective metabolism makes them prone to obesity if they indulge in too many snacks outside of mealtime.
8. These Dogs Are “Good-Natured, Friendly, Lively”
The Finnish Kennel Club, known as Kennelliitto, describes its national breed as “cooperative, energetic, lively and unyielding.” It is seen in their affection toward their owners and children and their ability to adjust to changes in their daily schedule and living conditions. Finkies can also get along with smaller dogs and animals; however, they must be supervised and trained not to let their prey drive take over.
When they are roaming around or out in public, they are moderately sociable with strangers. These dogs may bark or approach the person hesitantly until they decide the newcomer does not pose a threat. Likewise, the AKC ranks Finnish Spitzes a three out of five on the watchdog behavior scale, which means they might alert their owner if something doesn’t feel, look, or smell right.
9. These Dogs Have Some Health Considerations
According to the Finnish Spitz Club of America: “The Finnish Spitz is generally a healthy breed. There are no consistent health issues throughout the breed in the US. For that reason, the Finnish Spitz Club of America, Inc. does not mandate any specific tests.” The good news is there aren’t prevalent health considerations that affect a majority of Finkies. However, this doesn’t mean the breed is immune to diseases or won’t develop any throughout their life.
Owners should still take their pets for regular veterinary exams and monitor their dogs for strange changes in their behavior. Pet parents should also consider their dog’s lifestyle to determine which illnesses they can experience. For example, pups that visit dog parks can develop transmittable diseases such as parvo and kennel cough.
When their diet, exercise, and grooming needs are met, these dogs can live from 13 to 15 years.
10. The Finnish Spitz Joins Other Finnish Breeds
In addition to the Finnish Spitz, Kennelliitto claims four other native Finnish breeds: the Finnish Hound, the Finnish Lapponian Dog, the Karelian Bear Dog, and the Lapponian Herder. Each breed has a distinct appearance and personality that reflects its intended purpose from hundreds of years ago. For example, the Karelian Bear Dog also has a double coat for insulation and an independent nature; however, these pups are larger than Finkies because they hunted bears, elks, and large game.
To preserve these breeds and reduce their likelihood of extinction, Finland has adopted a national animal genetic resources program. The country has a dedicated DNA bank in case of a decrease in the healthy male dog population, or if the current Finnish Spitz pool needs more genetic diversity.
11. The Finnish Spitz Is a Rare Breed
The Finnish Spitz might be a household name in its home country, but they are still a rare breed elsewhere. They first arrived in England in the 1920s and didn’t make it to the United States until the 1960s. It took another fifteen years before the Finnish Spitz Club of America was established in 1975 and thirteen more until they could compete in AKC events under the non-sporting group in 1988. As of 2023, the Finnish Spitz is ranked 194 out of 201 on the AKC’s list of most popular dogs.
While there isn’t an exact figure for the number of Finkies in the US, there are far fewer than the No. 1 most popular dog in 2023, the Frenchie, which had 98,500 dogs registered with the AKC that year.
