Finnish Spitz — breed guide
Bred to bark at treed game — competitions in Finland judge barks per minute.
At a glance
- Group
- non-sporting
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 9–16 kg (20–35 lb)
- Life span
- 13–15 years
- Coat
- Dense golden-red double coat
Living with a Finnish Spitz
- High energy — needs real exercise every day, not a stroll.
- Regular grooming — brushing a few times a week.
- Heavy shedding, especially in season.
- Trainable with consistency.
- Very vocal.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
- Better with previous experience behind you.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Built for cold weather.
Temperament
Lively · Alert · Independent · Very vocal
Health to watch
- Hip dysplasia
- Luxating patella
- Epilepsy
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Finnish Spitz good with kids?
Generally yes. Finnish Spitzs are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Finnish Spitz good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a Finnish Spitz need?
An hour or more of proper exercise every day.
Can a Finnish Spitz handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Finnish Spitz's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.