Finnish Spitz

AKC Group: Non-Sporting

Club: Finnish Spitz Club of America

Secretary : Diane Helland
Address: 7124 Bettis Dr, Fort Worth, TX , 76133-6702
Website: www.finnishspitzclub.org
Email: dmhelland@att.net
Club Type: Specialty

General Apperance:

The Finnish Spitz presents a fox-like picture. The breed has long been used to hunt small game and birds. The pointed muzzle, erect ears, dense coat and curled tail denotes its northern heritage. The Finnish Spitz whole being shows liveliness, which is especially evident in the eyes, ears and tail. Males are decidedly masculine without coarseness. Bitches are decidedly feminine without over-refinement.

The Finnish Spitz' most important characteristics are its square, well-balanced body that is symmetrical with no exaggerated features, a glorious red-gold coat, his bold carriage and brisk movement.

Size:

Size --Height at the withers in dogs, 17½ to 20 inches; in bitches, 15½ to 18 inches.
Proportion --Square: length from forechest to buttocks equal to height from withers to ground. The coat may distort the square appearance.
Substance --Substance and bone in proportion to overall dog.

Coat:

The coat is double with a short, soft, dense undercoat and long, harsh straight guard hairs measuring approximately one to two inches on the body. Hair on the head and legs is short and close; it is longest and most dense on plume of tail and back of thighs. The outer coat is stiffer and longer on the neck and back, and in males considerably more profuse at the shoulder, giving them a more ruffed appearance. Males carry more coat than females. No trimming of the coat except for feet is allowed. Whiskers shall not be trimmed. Any trimming of coat shall be severely faulted. Silky, wavy, long or short coat is to be faulted.

Temperament:

Active and friendly, lively and eager, faithful; brave, but cautious.

History:

The Finnish Spitz is the national dog of Finland. The history of spitz-type dogs can be traced back several thousand years. As various tribes migrated to different areas, they bred their dogs according to need, thus developing separate strains. One clan made its way to the far northern regions where, the Finnish Spitz emerged as a pure breed and an invaluable asset to the hunter. Advanced methods of transportation brought diverse populations and their dogs together and the original Finnish Spitz were mated with other breeds, until by 1880 they were nearly extinct. About that time, two sportsmen from Helsinki observed the pure native dogs, realized their many virtues, and returned home with superior specimens in an effort to salvage the bred. One of the pioneers bred them for over 30 years and the other launched an impressive rescue campaign.

The Finnish Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1892. The first known Finnish Spitz imported to the United States arrived in 1959. The Finnish Spitz Club of America was founded in 1975 and on January 1, 1988, the breed became eligible to compete and was assigned to the Non-Sporting Group. They had competed in the Miscellaneous Classes since November 1983.

Fun Facts:

• The Finnish Spitz is AKC's 130th breed.
  
  
• Suomenpystrykorva, the Finnish Cock-Eared Dog, was known in earlier times as the Finnish Barking Birddog and is now called the Finnish Spitz.
  
  
• The Finnish Spitz is, not surprisingly, the national dog of Finland.
  
  
• The history of spitz-type dogs that make up the Finnish Spitz's ancestry traces back several thousand years.
  
  
• By 1880, Finnish Spitzes had been so interbred that the original Finnish Spitz became nearly extinct.
  
  
• The first English Spitzes arrived in England in 1927.
  
  
• The Finnish Spitz Club of America was founded in 1975.