THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE FINNISH SPITZ THAT THE OTHERS DIDN'T TELL YOU!
by Janet Schroeter, Firestorm Finnish Spitz
1. This breed is a very barky breed when outside, but often can be quiet indoors unless someone knocks at the door or they hear or see a stranger, animals, etc. Barking is what they were bred to do and that instinct is still strong in most of them. There are the occasional few that rarely bark, and at the other end of the spectrum, a few that bark incessantly. Most are in the middle - they bark at things that they feel the need to bark at - such as noises, neighbours, birds, small critters, farm animals, insects, even low flying helicopters. J In Finland, they have bird-barking contests to see who barks the most and fastest at prey.
They also bark when they play and when they are digging holes. Yes – they love to dig holes!!! If you are fussy about keeping an immaculate garden/yard, then don’t get a Finnish Spitz. J
A citronella collar can be effective for deterring barking, but you can't leave the collar on when the dog is alone and unattended - it can get caught on things and possibly strangle the dog. Owners need to know, understand, accept and love that they have a Barking Bird Dog.
It is not wise to leave your Finn outdoors for extended periods of time due to the barking nature of the breed. An upset neighbour is not a pleasant experience.
Never leave your Finn outside when you are not at home. Dog theft is very common everywhere!!! A Finn would be a good target as it is so beautiful.
2. They are great with children provided the children are well-behaved and respectful – ie: they don't probe, poke, hit, drag, yell at or otherwise torment the puppy/dog. (If parents aren't teaching their children good behaviour and respect for animals, they shouldn’t have a dog or any kind of pet.)
3. Here's what I have to say about the necessity of keeping them on leash.
"Your Finkie will love being outdoors with you -- walking, jogging, hiking, playing, camping, hunting, boating, etc.
However, I need to let you know in case you don't already, that Finkies and many of the northern breeds do not hang around their 'people'. They are a PRIMITIVE HUNTING BREED – originally bred to hunt upland game birds and other small game. They are not like most breeds that live to be with and to please their humans. They are an independent-minded breed. Finkies can be great, obedient, loving and learn to pay attention indoors (except when they hear something to bark at), but when outdoors their independent nature combined with a strong hunting instinct takes over, so if they take off to go hunting, they can easily become lost and/or injured and never make it back home.
I've heard too many sad stories of Finns being lost and never found; being run over, being shot because they look like foxes, and being taken down by wildlife including coyotes and wolves.
So - you will need to have a securely fenced and escape-proof yard, with a fence at least 5’ high, preferably 6’ high and preferably solid wood, with no tiny spaces including where the fence meets the ground, as they can squeeze through the tiniest of spaces. Some Finns will try to find a way to escape, including climbing chain-link or other climbable fences and trying to unlatch gates, digging out under the fence, etc.
You must never let your dog off leash unless in a securely fenced, escape-proof area like your yard, a fenced-in dog park, etc. I used to do a lot of obedience training and was the 2nd person in Canada to put a C.D. title on a Finnish Spitz in the 70's. No matter how well-trained a Finnish Spitz is, never trust them to come when called, even in an area where they are securely confined. Take my warning seriously. I have over 40 years of experience with this breed. Do not think that you will be able to train your Finn to come to you off leash when you call them. Do not believe even the best professional trainers who say they can train your Finn to always come when called, especially when they’re in “hunting” mode. Also note that the further away from you they are, the more they don't listen to you.
Those who use Finns for hunting keep them on leash at all times except when actually hunting, and have them wear GPS collars in order to find them later. They can range miles away from their handlers.
by Janet Schroeter, Firestorm Finnish Spitz
1. This breed is a very barky breed when outside, but often can be quiet indoors unless someone knocks at the door or they hear or see a stranger, animals, etc. Barking is what they were bred to do and that instinct is still strong in most of them. There are the occasional few that rarely bark, and at the other end of the spectrum, a few that bark incessantly. Most are in the middle - they bark at things that they feel the need to bark at - such as noises, neighbours, birds, small critters, farm animals, insects, even low flying helicopters. J In Finland, they have bird-barking contests to see who barks the most and fastest at prey.
They also bark when they play and when they are digging holes. Yes – they love to dig holes!!! If you are fussy about keeping an immaculate garden/yard, then don’t get a Finnish Spitz. J
A citronella collar can be effective for deterring barking, but you can't leave the collar on when the dog is alone and unattended - it can get caught on things and possibly strangle the dog. Owners need to know, understand, accept and love that they have a Barking Bird Dog.
It is not wise to leave your Finn outdoors for extended periods of time due to the barking nature of the breed. An upset neighbour is not a pleasant experience.
Never leave your Finn outside when you are not at home. Dog theft is very common everywhere!!! A Finn would be a good target as it is so beautiful.
2. They are great with children provided the children are well-behaved and respectful – ie: they don't probe, poke, hit, drag, yell at or otherwise torment the puppy/dog. (If parents aren't teaching their children good behaviour and respect for animals, they shouldn’t have a dog or any kind of pet.)
3. Here's what I have to say about the necessity of keeping them on leash.
"Your Finkie will love being outdoors with you -- walking, jogging, hiking, playing, camping, hunting, boating, etc.
However, I need to let you know in case you don't already, that Finkies and many of the northern breeds do not hang around their 'people'. They are a PRIMITIVE HUNTING BREED – originally bred to hunt upland game birds and other small game. They are not like most breeds that live to be with and to please their humans. They are an independent-minded breed. Finkies can be great, obedient, loving and learn to pay attention indoors (except when they hear something to bark at), but when outdoors their independent nature combined with a strong hunting instinct takes over, so if they take off to go hunting, they can easily become lost and/or injured and never make it back home.
I've heard too many sad stories of Finns being lost and never found; being run over, being shot because they look like foxes, and being taken down by wildlife including coyotes and wolves.
So - you will need to have a securely fenced and escape-proof yard, with a fence at least 5’ high, preferably 6’ high and preferably solid wood, with no tiny spaces including where the fence meets the ground, as they can squeeze through the tiniest of spaces. Some Finns will try to find a way to escape, including climbing chain-link or other climbable fences and trying to unlatch gates, digging out under the fence, etc.
You must never let your dog off leash unless in a securely fenced, escape-proof area like your yard, a fenced-in dog park, etc. I used to do a lot of obedience training and was the 2nd person in Canada to put a C.D. title on a Finnish Spitz in the 70's. No matter how well-trained a Finnish Spitz is, never trust them to come when called, even in an area where they are securely confined. Take my warning seriously. I have over 40 years of experience with this breed. Do not think that you will be able to train your Finn to come to you off leash when you call them. Do not believe even the best professional trainers who say they can train your Finn to always come when called, especially when they’re in “hunting” mode. Also note that the further away from you they are, the more they don't listen to you.
Those who use Finns for hunting keep them on leash at all times except when actually hunting, and have them wear GPS collars in order to find them later. They can range miles away from their handlers.
4. Finkie puppies are very destructive ... they love to constantly chew or tear apart anything they can get their mouths on. As many toys as you give them, they can still find other things to chew on like furniture, bedding, baseboards, drywall ... this chewing phase can last until they're mature adults ... 2 - 4 years of age. Some continue their destructive habits throughout their entire lifetime. And so it is very important that you have an extra large crate or a tall ex-pen to put your Finkie in when you can't supervise. I recommend an extra large crate so that when full grown, your Finkie can still be comfortable and stretch out if crated. And as puppies, the extra large crate can give them the space to pee/poo at one end, and sleep and play at the other end.
5. Finnish Spitz can do very well in an apartment or condo, provided they are given several walks per day (on leash of course), and taken to other areas of interest when you have time for longer walks – like the park, the beach, or whatever you have access to. Because of their barking qualities, ensure that your apartment or condo is SOUNDPROOF so your Finn does not disturb your neighbours.
6. Emotional sensitivity. Be honest...is there tension in your home? Are people loud or angry or emotional? Are there arguments? Is it a hectic environment? Finnish Spitz are sensitive to stress and can end up with neurotic behaviors if the people in their home are having family problems or if there is any sort of chaos. If they are not happy in their environment, they may shut down and not be responsive. They don't do well in busy, chaotic, noisy, stressful environments or where there is tension among the humans.
7. They can do well in obedience training, rally, agility, learning tricks, etc. Some become therapy dogs. As independent and frustrating as they can be when they don’t pay attention to what you’re trying to teach them, they are also very sensitive and cannot tolerate harsh corrections. You must ONLY use training methods that use positive reinforcement (including treats) to shape the behaviour you want. NEVER, EVER 'punish' or 'discipline' unwanted behaviour. (The 'old' methods of training, discipline and showing dominance over dogs don't work - and can upset, confuse and psychologically damage your Finn.)
8. If you like the idea and looks of a spitz/northern breed, but think the Finn is not for you, then may I suggest an American Eskimo Dog for a companion dog. The coat takes a bit more work, but they are not a hunting or working breed, and are therefore more 'people' oriented and instinctively more 'obedient'. I don't breed Eskies but have had them as pets and love their temperament and willingness to please. <G> Many Eskies are very quiet, but some can be incessant barkers, so you need to make sure to choose a quiet one that wants to be with his/her humans. There are hundreds and hundreds of American Eskimo Dogs in shelters and rescues across North America – all needing loving homes. I can help you find a nice Eskie or Eskie mix.
9. As in all litters of all breeds, there is a range of temperaments from dominant to submissive and a range of energy levels. No matter what breed you choose, let the breeder help you choose the puppy with the right temperament for you, your experience with dogs, and your family lifestyle.
10. Slightly larger northern breeds that are also instinctively more obedient and willing to please are the Norwegian Elkhound (hunting breed) and the Norwegian Buhund (herding breed). I have owned, raised and trained both breeds. Also consider a Finnish Lapphund (herding) or Icelandic Sheepdog (herding). I've also owned and trained Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers and German Shepherds.
Recommended Reading:
*** The Puppy Whisperer: A Compassionate, Non Violent Guide to Early Training and Care – by Paul Owens and Terence Cranendonk, pub. by Adams Media
*** The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Non Violent Approach to Dog Training – by Paul Owens, pub. by Adams Media
***Train Your Dog Positively - by Victoria Stilwell, pub. by 10 Speed Press
*** Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook by James M. Giffin, MD and Liisa D. Carlson, DVM. Published by Howell Book House.
All About The Spitz Breeds by David Cavill, Pelham Books
Finnish Spitz: Special Rare-Breed Edition – A Comprehensive Owner’s Guide by Juliette Cunliffe. Published by Kennel Club Books.
Finnish Spitz: A Closer Look by Joan Grant, Trafford Publishing
A Celebration of Rare Breeds by Cathy J. Flamholtz, OTR Publications
*** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for raising and training your puppy and adult Finkie!