Finnish Spitz
Finland's national dog and a champion barker.
- Weight
- 20–33 lbs
- Height
- 16–20 in
- Lifespan
- 13–15 yrs
In short
The Finnish Spitz is Finland's national dog, a Nordic spitz bred to find game birds and bark until the hunter arrives, weighing 20–33 lbs and living 13–15 years. It is very vocal by design, so barking is the biggest thing to plan for.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- love a lively, independent, fox-like dog
- live in a house with tolerant neighbors
- enjoy hiking in cool weather
Think twice if you…
- live in an apartment with thin walls
- need reliable off-leash recall
- keep pet birds or small animals
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 60–85 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study8.0/10
EnergyActive7.5/10
Calm at homeSettles well6.0/10
SheddingSheds seasonally6.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Bark-pointing voice
Bred to bark repeatedly at treed birds, so expect a lot of barking and a ringing yodel.
-
02
Fox-red double coat
A dense, self-cleaning coat with no trimming, but heavy seasonal shedding.
-
03
Curled plumed tail
Classic spitz shape; the tail curls over the back.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 25–33 lbs | 20–28 lbs |
| Height | 17.5–20 in | 15.5–18 in |
| Lifespan | 13–15 yrs | |
| Coat | Short, dense double coat with a harsh outer coat | |
Personality
A Finnish Spitz is lively, alert and independent, with a strong opinion about everything that moves outside. Gentle with family, they are cat-like in how they decide when to cooperate.
With kids
Usually good with children, playful and patient. Teach kids not to tease, since some don't tolerate rough handling.
With other pets
Generally good with other dogs; birds and small pets trigger the hunting instinct.
With strangers
Reserved with strangers and quick to announce them. Not aggressive, but slow to warm up.
Alone time
Tolerates alone time moderately well when exercised, but boredom shows up as barking.
Training
Finnish Spitz are clever but independent and get bored by repetition. Short, playful, reward-based sessions work; force and long drills don't.
-
How often
2–3 sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each, ending while the dog still wants more.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Between 8–16 weeks, focus on calm exposure to street noise, birds and passersby, and reward quiet so barking doesn't become the default.
-
Self-control
A 'quiet' cue and solid recall matter most. Reward silence after one or two barks, and practice recall on a long line, since off-leash reliability is hard.
-
What it works for
Food works best, as long as it's worth their while. Use small, high-value pieces within 10% of daily calories, and change rewards often to keep interest.
Exercise
They need daily exploring with lots of sniffing and some running. Varied routes and outdoor time matter more than distance.
Exercise a day
60–90 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Hiking and trail walks on a long line
- Lure coursing or Fast CAT
- Running in a securely fenced field
Brain work
- Barn hunt or scent work
- Food puzzles and treat searches
- Trick training in short bursts
Best home
Best in a house with neighbors who tolerate barking; thrives in cold, struggles in heat.
Watch for Prey drive makes off-leash recall unreliable near birds and wildlife, so use a long line in open areas.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Finnish Spitz (20–33 lbs) lands around 575–850 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 725–1,075 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 75–110 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–5 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 575–850 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 60–85 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–4 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 800–1,175 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 80–120 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–6 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 500–750 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 50–75 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–4 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 725–1,075 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 75–110 kcal | 4–5 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 575–850 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 60–85 kcal | 3–4 pieces |
| Active / Working | 800–1,175 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 80–120 kcal | 4–6 pieces |
| Senior | 500–750 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 50–75 kcal | 3–4 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Generally healthy, with hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, epilepsy and diabetes reported. Keeping the dog lean and choosing a breeder who screens hips help most.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Patellar luxation | OFA patella exam | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Inherited eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) | Yearly in breeding dogs |
Health tests to ask for
The Finnish Spitz is not yet in the OFA's CHIC program. That doesn't mean testing is unnecessary: ask the breeder which screenings the parents have had, using the list above.
Grooming Moderate, with heavy seasonal coat blows
Brush weekly, daily during the twice-yearly coat blow. No trimming or shaving needed; bathe only occasionally, trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week.
History
Ancient–1800s
Nordic hunting dog
Spitz-type dogs hunted birds and small game with Finnish hunters for centuries.
1880s–1892
Rescued from extinction
Finnish sportsmen saved the breed from crossbreeding, and the Finnish Kennel Club accepted a standard in 1892.
1979–1988
National dog and AKC
Finland named it the national dog in 1979, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1988 in the Non-Sporting Group.
Questions owners ask
Are Finnish Spitz easy to train?
Not especially. They are smart but independent and bore easily, so keep sessions short, playful and well rewarded. Recall and barking control take real work.
Are Finnish Spitz good with kids and other pets?
Usually with kids and dogs, less so with small pets. They are playful with respectful children and generally fine with other dogs, but birds and small animals trigger their hunting instinct.
How much exercise does a Finnish Spitz need?
About 60–90 minutes a day. Varied walks, sniffing and outdoor play keep them content.
Do Finnish Spitz shed?
Yes, moderately, with heavy seasonal blows. Brush weekly and daily during sheds; the coat needs no trimming.
What health problems do Finnish Spitz have, and how long do they live?
They typically live 13–15 years. The breed is generally healthy; hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, epilepsy and diabetes are reported, so ask for hip results on the parents.
Is a Finnish Spitz good for apartments or first-time owners?
Usually not. Their barking can strain neighbors, and their independence suits patient owners. A first-timer who trains steadily and lives in a house can manage.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Finnish Spitz needs only 3–4 pieces a day, well inside the 60–85 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Finnish Spitz ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Finnish Spitz
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
