Finnish Spitz
About the Finnish Spitz
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 15-20" |
| Weight | 20-33 lbs |
| Coat Type | Double |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,000 |
|---|---|
| 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 Spitzs 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
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Finnish Spitz
The story behind the Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz descends from spitz-type hunting dogs long kept across the northern forests of Finland and neighbouring Russian Karelia, used to hunt game birds and small mammals by locating them, holding them in a tree, and barking to guide the hunter. By the nineteenth century interbreeding with incoming dogs threatened the type, and Finnish enthusiasts working from the 1880s onward sought out remaining pure examples in remote areas and began systematic breeding. A standard was adopted before the turn of the twentieth century, and the dog was later named the national breed of Finland. Bark-pointing competitions remain part of its culture there. It is recognised internationally and was admitted by the American Kennel Club in the 1980s, though it stays uncommon outside the Nordic countries.
Originally bred for: Bark-pointing bird dog, Forest hunting spitz, Small-game hunter. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Finnish Spitz
A moderately active spitz with a hearty appetite and a tendency to gain weight when idle, so measure meals and stay strict about extras. The thick coat conceals condition, making assessment by feel necessary. Working dogs in cold weather need more; feed twice a day.
Watch for: No specific ingredient problem is associated with the breed, which descends from a hardy northern population. Some individuals are notably fussy eaters, which owners mistake for intolerance. Where genuine digestive or skin symptoms persist, a veterinarian should investigate before the diet is restricted.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Finnish Spitz
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.