What makes the Finnish Spitz, with its alluring, fox-like appearance and affection for children, truly stand out?
With a rich history dating back thousands of years, this breed has been a vital part of Finnish culture and hunting traditions.1
But there is more to this breed than just its hunting prowess.
Here are 10 of the most intriguing facts about them.
1. Long History in Scandinavia
The Finnish Spitz has been around for centuries. They migrated with various tribes several thousand years ago and were eventually bred to be hunting dogs. Today, they proudly hold the title of the national dog of Finland.
2. Near Extinction
The Finnish Spitz was on the brink of extinction in the 19th century due to widespread cross-breeding with other dog breeds.
Two dedicated Finnish hunters, named Otto Ammatti and Jalmari Rautalin, took it upon themselves to preserve the breed by breeding pure Finnish Spitz and promoting its conservation, ultimately saving the breed from extinction.
3. Ancestor is the Taimyr Wolf
Canine DNA analysis revealed that the Finnish Spitz shares DNA with the extinct Taimyr Wolf (ref). The Taimyr wolf is an ancient wolf species that lived in Siberia around 35,000 years ago and is considered the most recent common ancestor of modern wolves and dogs.
This discovery suggests that dogs were domesticated much earlier than previously thought.
4. Bark Hunters
Finnish Spitz are known for their unique hunting style—they hunt by barking! While they are commonly companion dogs, they still participate in bird hunting in Finland.
The Spitz runs ahead of the hunter, finds the prey bird, and barks to signal its location.
5. Annual Barking Competitions
In Finland, Finnish Spitz participate in barking competitions. These dogs have been recorded barking up to 160 times per minute.
Competitors must prove effective barking skills while hunting to be crowned the “King Barker”.
6. Puppies Are Born with Dark Coats
Despite their famous fox-like red coat, Finnish Spitz puppies are born with quite a bit of black in their fur. The black usually fades completely after two years.
7. Many Names
The Finnish Spitz is known by various names. In Finnish, it’s called “Suomenpystykorva,” which translates to “Finnish cock-eared dog.”
They were also once known as “Finnish Barking Birddogs.” When imported to England, they were called “Finsk Spets,” leading to the nickname “Finkie”.
8. Small but Fierce
Despite their relatively small size, Finnish Spitz were historically used to hunt large game such as moose, elk, and bear in their native Finland due to their exceptional agility, keen senses, and barking ability.
Their small size also made them ideal for hunting in dense forests and tight spaces, where larger dogs might struggle to maneuver effectively.
9. Healthy Breed
Finnish Spitz are a generally healthy breed in the U.S. and Canada. There aren’t many health issues to worry about, and good breeders carefully check the knees, elbows, hips, and eyes of the dogs.
10. Hunters & Companions
Although Finnish Spitz are commonly kept as companion animals in modern times, they are still highly esteemed in Finland for their hunting skills. Their hunting instincts and abilities are deeply rooted in their history and continue to be appreciated by enthusiasts and hunters in Finland.
Today, while primarily kept as beloved family pets, the breed still holds a special place in the hearts of Finns. The Finnish Spitz is not just a dog – it’s a living piece of history, a cultural icon, and a breed worth preserving.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.