Finnish Spitz - Temperament & Personality
Dog Breeds
Introduction
The Finnish Spitz Dog Breed has a personality and temperament that is intelligent and affectionate. The Finnish Spitz needs plenty of activities and exercise or they will become restless and bored. This breed also requires consistent socialization and training, or they can try to establish their place as the alpha dog in the home.
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Personality
The Finnish Spitz is the perfect companion for an active family. This breed is happy and easy going and adores playing with children. They can be trusted with strangers, aren't prone to aggression and get along well with other dogs. They adore their families and despite their independent nature, attach themselves deeply to the ones they love and like to be included in outdoor activities. Their hunting roots make them an alert dog that can act as a reliable watchdog. The Finnish Spitz is a great choice for first-time dog owners, as well.
Activity Requirements
The Finnish Spitz is not a lazy house dog. They were developed to be sturdy bird-hunting companions and they have a built-in need to run and keep their minds active. Their medium size may be appealing to condo or apartment dwellers, but the Finnish Spitz needs several hours of vigorous exercise every day in order to stave off boredom and destructiveness. Active families are perfect for this breed, as they are a true family dog who will happily engage in group activities like jogging, hiking or biking. They adore children and will romp in the yard with kids for hours on end. Yards should be fenced in, as this hunter will take off after birds or small animals and aren't likely to obey calls to return home. For this reason, farms are not an ideal locale for the Finnish Spitz.
Trainability
Their independent streak, coupled with a four-year strong puppyhood can make a Finnish Spitz difficult to train. Calm assertiveness is the best tack to take with this breed, as they don't respond well to discipline. They can become easily bored with repetitive training exercises, so breeders and trainers recommend keeping sessions short and mixing up the routine.
Once leadership is established and basic obedience has been mastered, the Finnish Spitz should be graduated to advanced obedience classes or agility training. They are intelligent dogs and need to be mentally stimulated as much as they need to be physically exercised.
Behavioral Traits
In Finland, this breed is called the “Barking Bird Dog” and they got this nickname for one reason: they bark, and bark often. The Finnish Spitz can bark up to 160 times per minute. This makes them excellent hunting companions, but can drive an entire neighborhood crazy. Early training lessons should include commands to stop barking.
Separation anxiety can develop quite easily in this breed because they get so attached to their family. Their anxiety can be made much worse if they are not given enough opportunity to exercise. Keeping a Finnish Spitz active and giving him interesting things to do while you are away can stave off the destructive behaviors and excessive barking that come with an anxious dog.
Early and frequent socialization is important with the Finnish Spitz. They are reserved with strangers by nature, and if left unchecked can become overly shy and timid. Teaching him to accept new people and new situations is important for healthy mental development.
Appearance & Grooming
History and Health