Finnish Spitz are lively dogs that need companionship and exercise. At the
same time, they are somewhat independent, and most are not lap dogs although they
will want to be in the same room with you. We recommend a fenced area where they
can run (but note that the fence must be secure as they are well known escape
artists!) or the ability to provide them with a healthy dose of exercise twice a day
such as long walks. They are intelligent and sensitive so they require training
without harsh methods but with praise and rewards when they do what you want
them to. A Finkie that is treated harshly will never forget it and will never mature
into the loving faithful companion that he or she should be.
2. How are they around kids and other dogs and cats?
Finkies are a wonderful family dog and they love children. They do not have
the need to be attached to only one family member but will be faithful to all. They
will not hurt children if they are raised with them but will walk away if play
becomes too rough for their liking or if they are tired. They do as well with other animals as they do with children. Several of our puppies are in
households with other Finnish Spitz as well as other breeds of dogs and cats. They
are social dogs who will do well with all if they are exposed to other animals and
children when they are young. For this reason, we suggest a puppy kindergarten
class and taking him or her with you as often as possible
to many different places when they are young.
3. What is their temperament like?
Finnish Spitz are somewhat wary with strangers but it usually doesn’t last for
more than a few minutes if they are used to a variety of people. For this reason,
they usually are not considered a good choice for a guard dog.
4. What do I need to consider for grooming requirements?
Finnish Spitz have a thick undercoat which sheds twice a year. During
this time they should be brushed several times a week. The rest of the year a once a
week brushing will suffice. They are naturally clean dogs that do some self
grooming much as cats do. They should be bathed only when necessary as too
frequent bathing removes the natural oils in their coat.
5. What is the difference between a “pet quality” and a “show quality” dog?
A show quality dog is one that we believe is close enough to the AKC
standard that it will win the points needed to receive the championship title in the
conformation ring. For puppies that we sell as show quality, we guarantee that they
will receive their championship title. A pet quality puppy means that there is
something about the puppy that we believe does not qualify it for the conformation
ring. Frequently, a pet quality puppy may be one of the best in the litter but have
some minor characteristic, such as too much white in its coat or be too long, to qualify in the conformation ring. Because we guarantee our show quality
puppies, we rarely see a litter that we believe every pup falls into the show quality
category.
6. I live in the South. How do they do with heat?
Finnish Spitz thrive in the South as well as the North. They shed the majority
of their undercoat in warm climates and will find ways of staying cool provided they
are given sufficient water and shelter from direct sun.
7. How do I get started with showing?
We suggest that you first ensure that your puppy is well socialized to a
variety of situations when he or she is young, and attend a puppy kindergarten class.
Joining your local kennel club is also very beneficial. You will receive advice from
more seasoned exhibitors and most kennel clubs have handling classes where both
you and your puppy will learn what you need for the conformation ring. We have included our suggestions on showing and grooming to help get you started on our Information pages.
8. What kind of training do I need to do with a Finnish Spitz puppy?
All dogs should have basic obedience which you will get with a puppy
kindergarten class. From there, you can decide what your goals are with your
Finkie. The American Kennel Club sponsors a wide variety of competitive events
for you and your dog from conformation to obedience to agility to coursing and
more. You can learn more about the various types of events open to you and your
Finkie at the AKC website. If you think that you are
interested in obedience, you should make your breeder aware of that fact at the time
the puppy is being selected for you. Because of their independent nature, many
Finkies are not ideal for the obedience ring. With knowledge of your interest in
obedience, a breeder can select a puppy for you with a personality suitable for more
advanced obedience training.
9. How old will a puppy be when I get him or her?
We let our puppies go to their new homes at eight weeks of age.
10. Should I consider a boy or girl?
The sex of the puppy for you is often a matter of personal preference. Males
are flashier with their heavier boning, coat and ruff, while females are more refined.
Some believe that males are less independent than females and more inclined toward
closer contact with their families. That does not, however, prove to be the case with
every dog and may be more dependent on the personality of the individual puppy.
Because there are few Finkies in the United States, availability of a particular sex is
also a consideration.
11. Can I run with my Finnish Spitz?
Once your dog has matured they are great athletes and running companions.
They are a slow maturing breed, however, and do not reach full emotional and
physical maturity until they are four years old. We do not recommend hard exercise
with your puppy until he is a year old when most of his structural growth
has been completed.
12. Is their barking a problem and how much do they bark?
We believe that their reputation for barking is overdone. In Scandinavia,
Finnish Spitz are primarily used as hunting dogs that bark at their prey to keep it in
place once located. They are natural barkers who will bark at birds and squirrels
outside. We believe it is important to teach them a “Quiet” command when they are
young. They are not big barkers indoors. They also have a wide variety of vocal
tones and they are known to carry on conversations with their family members
which is very charming. If you live in close proximity to neighbors who object to
their barking, debarking is an alternative.
13. Where can I get more information on Finnish Spitz?
Our Links page lists several organizations that have information on the Finnish Spitz. AKC carries a video on the breed and The Finnish Spitz by Ann Katherine Nicholas is a book with good information. We are always happy to talk with you about the breed.