Finnish Hound
About the Finnish Hound
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 20-24" |
| Weight | 45-55 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $800-$1,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Finnish Hounds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Long Work Hours Away
Guides for your Finnish Hound
The story behind the Finnish Hound
The Finnish Hound was developed in Finland during the nineteenth century, when hunters crossed local scenthounds with imported stock, generally described as including German, Swedish, and English hound types, to produce a dog suited to trailing hare and fox across forest and deep snow. Systematic breeding began in the middle of that century, and the Finnish Kennel Club adopted a standard around the turn of the twentieth. Selection has consistently prioritised hunting performance, voice, and endurance over appearance. The FCI recognises the breed. It is by a considerable margin the most numerous registered dog in Finland and is also found in Sweden and neighbouring countries, yet it is rarely kept beyond the Nordic region and almost never as a pure companion, remaining a specialist working hound.
Originally bred for: Hare and fox trailing hound, Baying hunting dog, Forest scenthound. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Finnish Hound
A working hound whose intake should rise substantially through the hunting season and fall between, since trailing in cold conditions is demanding. Energy-dense food supports endurance work. Feed after activity rather than before, and split the daily ration into two meals.
Watch for: No breed-linked intolerance appears in this large, working-bred population, which has generally sound digestion. Hard-worked hounds sometimes show transient upset connected to exertion or to scavenged material eaten in the field rather than to their diet. Persistent problems need a veterinary opinion.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Finnish Hound
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.