Finnish Spitz

Bright red dogs of typical Spitz shape, unusual in that they hunt small birds and give considerable tongue while doing so.This dog is well known as the national dog of Finland. It is a breed that has endured the test of time by surviving thousands of years with the people of Finland. Its coat is crimson in color with some lighter shading. This dog stands an average of 19 inches at the shoulder.  They are very intelligent and enjoy outdoor activities. They are suitable for town, city or country living.Equally happy in all weathers he does not consider that his place is outside in the kennel, but indoors with his friends.The purity of the Finnish Spitz breed was threatened at the beginning of this century in its native Finland prompting the government to draw up a standard by which is should be judged. It is now the most popular dog in Finland, recognized as the national breed. Also referred to as the *Barking Bird Dog*, it is a keen hunter of game birds, particularly grouse.Pet Suitability the  Finnish Spitz is strong willed not suitable for households with small children or other pets.

Characteristics   Eagerness to hunt, courage tempered with caution, Fidelity and intelligence.

Temperament   Alert, lively, friendly but independent.

Head and Skull   Head medium - sized and clean cut. Longer than broad. Forehead slightly arched, stop moderate. Muzzle narrow, seen from above and from sides,evenly tapering. Nose pitch black. Lips black, thightly closed and thin.

Ears   Small, cocked, sharply pointed. Fine in texture and mobile.

Mouth  Jaws strong with perfect regular scissor bite, upper theet closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to jaws.

Neck  Muscular, of medium lenght, with no excess of skin or fat. In males may appear shorter due to dense ruff.

ForeQuarters   Strong and straight.

HindQuarters   Strong. Only moderate turn of stifle, Hock of medium angulation.

Feet   Preferably round. Hind dewclaws always removed. Removal of front dewclaws optional.

Tail   Plumed, curves vigorously from its root in an arch, forward downward and backward, then pressing down against thigh, with its tip extending to middle part of thigh. Extended, the bone of tail usually reaches to hock joint.

Gait * Movement   Light and springy, quick and graceful, with drive.

Colour   On back reddish brown or red gold, preferably bright. Hairs on inner sides of ears, cheeks, under muzzle, on breast, abdomen, behind shoulders, inside legs, back of thighs, underside of tail, of lighter shades. Undercoat also a lighter colour, making whole coat glow. Narrow white stripe not exceeding one and half centimetres in whidth on breast permitted. Black hairs on lips and sparse separate black pointed hairs on blackand tail permitted. Puppies may have black hairs which decrease with age, black on tail persisting longer.

Faults   Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault a fault and the seriousness with  which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note   Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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