Finnish Spitz: history, description, photo

Cheerful, playful and friendly. Sensitive, independent and courageous. Raised, faithful and kind. All this characterizes a wonderful and small variety of Laikas - the Finnish Spitz.

History and purpose of the breed

Suomenpistikorva, or Finnish Spitz, is a hunting breed of Laika, which originates from the dogs of the oldest Finnish Suomi people. Initially it was called Finnish Barking Birddog (barking, Finnish bird hunting) or Suomenpystrykorva (Finnish dog with sharp ears).

The Spitz was brought to Finland over two thousand years ago, from the banks of the Volga River (in those days the area was part of Central Russia, and today it belongs to Finland). The breed was brought out purposefully for hunting all kinds of game (from squirrels and other small rodents to wild boars and bears).

Particular attention was paid to the breeding qualities of the breed, which was typical for the Laek exteriors and bright red color. As a result of the selection works, the dog, the Finnish Spitz, was unpretentious in maintenance and care of medium sizes with excellent working qualities.

This breed is quite versatile in hunting practice and specializes in ducks and bog birds. The task of the Spitz includes the detection and barking of the game until the hunter comes. Also, the dog is able to work quite adequately and with fur-bearing animals after appropriate training. Previously, the Finnish Spitz was used for the elk paddock, and the dogs imported to the USSR could work for the bear, although they were somewhat inferior to other hunting dogs in the hunting passion.

One of the important performance indicators of the breed is the frequency and continuity of barking at the time of the game designation. The frequency with which the hunting good dog should bark is about 160 times a minute.

Training

The Finnish Spitz is a clever dog that can be trained very easily. However, if he is frightened or overexcited, then he can become willful and stubborn. Classes should be interesting, positive, calm, but short, as this breed gets bored very quickly. Only positive rewards and reinforcements are used. Also you will have to get a lot of patience, because as the Finnish Spitz grows up slowly enough, and therefore you will not be able to learn a new command in 20-35 repetitions. By its nature, this breed is very independent, and therefore you must treat the dog so that it sees you as a leader and respected.

One of the drawbacks can be loud and frequent barking, which is possessed by the Finnish spitz. Feedback from the owners of the breed is very negative about this. But we should not forget that this is one of the basic working qualities of a good hunting dog, but this problem can be controlled by training, but it should be started from an early age puppy.

Features of the content and care of the coat

Finnish Spitz are naturally hunters and need daily long walks on a leash or in a safe place without it. Also, all kinds of physical activities are required so that the dog can spend as much as possible of its inexhaustible energy.

The wool of the fin is tight and dense, it protects the animal from the cold remarkably, allowing very severe frosts to be transferred. Dogs are able to live in a cold and temperate climate, but they do not tolerate heat very badly.

Care of the coat is not difficult, because it is self-cleaning. It is enough to comb the Finnish Spitz a couple of times a week with a comb and a massage brush. During the seasonal moult, the hair is to be combed every day.

Bathing dogs are carried out no more than three to four times a year. To avoid all kinds of irritations and infections, you should regularly check and clean your eyes and ears, as well as trim your claws if they do not get enough of the dog while walking.

Feeding

Future owners of Finnish Spitz breed puppies need to take care in advance to find out what to feed their pets. The puppy's diet should not include pork and chicken. It is believed that this meat is fat and therefore should not be used in feeding. A pet can be given raw meat. What to feed him, you can find out from the breeder during the acquisition of the puppy. But with any selected diet, bones should be given with extreme caution, since some of them the dog simply can not chew. In general, it is not recommended to feed animals to everyone, as the stomach of this breed is rather weak.

In conclusion…

Dogs of this breed, of course, are among the most beautiful representatives of the whole variety of Laika. Small sizes and a fiery-red fur coat favorably distinguish them from their brethren. Better and more faithful friend you will not find than the Spitz Finnish. Photos from joint walks in nature or just in a close circle will look much better if your naughty and faithful four-legged friend flaunts them as a full member of the family.