Trainability

Being a natural hunter and barker, the Finnish Spitz can be a little bit of a challenge to train. In saying this they require a strong confident leader, who also has a bit of experience with dogs. They are incredibly intelligent so crave variety when it comes to training. Your Spitz will bore easily doing the same thing over and over again, so keep your training sessions fun and fresh is an essential element for success. Like all breeds they need a gentle yet confident training method. The Spitz does not take well to harsh punishment-based training. Early socialisation is also important, so consider lots of sights, sounds and experiences. It is also vitally crucial to research this breeds history to understand their natural traits. Spitz were used as a ‘Bark Pointers’ meaning that they have been bred for hundreds of years to bark. If you have neighbours that won’t particularly like this trait you will need to take the time to train this out of your dog and have a special command to stop (and start can sometimes help). However, expect that a fair amount of this natural trait to ‘talk’ to stay with your dog, if you do not like ‘talking’ dogs, the Spitz is certainly not the breed for you. Being an intelligent breed, they excel in all dog sports and obedience levels.

Grooming

Your beautiful Spitz will require a good weekly groom and will shed seasonally. It’s a good idea during the shedding months to increase your weekly groom to a daily exercise to help with the hair-loss. They are not a smelly-type of dog and will only require bathing occasionally. The breed is very easily maintained and will not require any clipping, unless on the pads of the feet. Like with all breeds it’s important to get your pup used to nail clipping and general desensitization to being touched on the ears, face and paws. This not only makes future check-ups easy it can help eliminate stress during grooming, brushing, and nail clipping.

Exercise Requirements

The Finnish Spitz is a very active dog and will require a good dose of vigorous activity to keep him happy. A bored, unexercised dog will spell trouble. A good morning walk followed by an afternoon off-leash run will keep him happy and entertained. It is important however to have a strong ‘recall’ command and also to choose a fenced off-leash area if possible. Once in hunt ‘chase’ mode, your Spitz may become impossible to recall. Training is paramount to preventing this and allowing your dog to run free. On-leash training will make those morning walks or jogs a breeze. They will simply adore joining you on any vigorous activity you indulge in.

Intelligence

The Finnish Spitz is a super intelligent breed and because of this will make their own entertainment if left, unentertained, to their own devices. Ensuring your dog is well exercised and also has a ‘job’ to do when you are not at home. The breed LOVES to bark, so if bored they will certainly become the talk of the neighbourhood…literally. Consider boredom busting techniques and get creative with ‘jobs’ to leave your Spitz to do when you are not at home. Rotating dog toys daily can also help. It’s also important to remember how much training can play to alleviate boredom. A well-trained, well-exercised dog is much less likely to become bored and exhibit destructive behaviours.

Family Friendly

The Spitz makes a wonderful family companion and will delight in having children to share the home with. Like all dogs, socialisation from an early age is important as too, teaching your dog how to correctly behave around children, alongside teaching your children how to behave around a dog. The breed is well known for getting along with other dogs and even cats. Socialisation from a young age is important to teach your pup how to tolerate and love other houseguests.

Indoor/ Outdoor

The Finnish Spitz does do better in the cold and will need extra attention during the blistering summer days. Ensure you have ample shade and provide a cool area to lie during the heat of the day. Do not exercise your dog during the heat of the day. Good sturdy fences are needed to keep your energetic and curious pup safe. Check fences weekly for damage or possible escape routes. Like with all breeds these dogs do not take well to spending endless hours locked outside or in a kennel area, they will pine to be beside their human pack (AKA you) and will enjoy nothing more than curling up at your feet or going for a vigorous run.

Breeding

It is very important to only source your new family member from a reputable breeding establishment, to ensure your puppy is healthy. Ask all the important questions about hereditary problems and ask to see mum and dad. Contact your local breed club and research your chosen breeder. Your breeder should have proof that they regularly test their dogs for genetic diseases and to ensure that the dogs they are breeding from have sound temperaments. It may take a little more time than a quick purchase, but it can save you and your family from unimaginable heartache and pain dealing with a sick puppy.