Finse Keeshond 

History

Selective breeding took place as their name suggest in Finland. First something about the name: Suomenpystykorva. Suomen is the deduction Finnish from Finland and Pystykorva describes a prick-eared dog. Suomenpystykorva carry their name with pride because it were Hugo Roos and Hugo Sandberg who strenghten the genetic pool of these dogs in Suomi. Actions from this two people prevented a further mingle of the Finnish Spitz with other Spitz breeds. Mr. Sandberg was believed to influence the Suomen Kenneliitto to recognize in 1892 the breed. Up untill today the Finnish Spitz is popular in it's homeland. Finland has it's own breed club: the Suomen Pystykorvajärjestö the club is very active in monitoring the development of the Finnish Spitz in Finland.  The Finnish Spitz went international. Arrival in Great Britain in 1927 of the Finnish Spitz was set on by Sir Edward Chicester. In july 1952 mevrouw J. W. H. Scholtens-Keyzer introduced the Finnish Spitz "Metsu-Fitto" in the Netherlands. In the mid-1950s The Finnish Spitz "Cullabine Rudolph"had his new habitat in the USA. Although not recently described the FinnishSpitz was imported, in small numbers, to many countries in the world. The origin of the Finnish Spitz is unknown. However, it is known that, hundreds of years ago, dogs of the same type as Finnish Spitz were being used for all game hunting over the whole country. Originally, the main goal was to develop a dog which barked well at game up in trees and was also beautiful. When acceptance to the breed register started in the 1890’s, individuals, similar in type and usage, were found mainly in the eastern and northern parts of the country. The first standard was established in 1892. The first speciality show was held the same year and the first bird-hunting trial in 1897. Today the breed is very common in both Finland and Sweden. It has been developed from pure natural stock and is an essential part of the Finnish culture. The Finnish Spitz was named as the National Dog of Finland in 1979.

Important proportions  The length of the body is the same as the height at the withers. The depth of the chest is slightly less than half the height at the withers. The ratio between the muzzle and the skull is approximately 3:4. The skull is a little broader than long; its breadth is the same as its depth.

CHARACTERISTICS * [Not specified. Classified by the F.C.I. in Group 5, Spitz and primitive types, Section 2, Nordic Hunting Dogs.

TEMPERAMENT * Lively, vigorous, brave and determined. Possibly a little reserved towards strangers but never vicious.

Nose   Rather small, jet*black.

Muzzle * Narrow, lean. Viewed from above and in profile, evenly tapering. The nasal bridge is straight. The lower jaw is clearly visible.

Lips * Tight, rather thin and close fitting. Good pigmentation.

Jaws * The jaws are strong.

Cheeks * The zygomatic arches are slightly emphasised.

EYES * Medium sized, almond shaped. Slightly oblique and preferably dark. The expression is lively and alert.

EARS * Set rather high, always erect. Rather small sized, pointed, very mobile and covered with fine hair.

Shoulders * Firm, very mobile and relatively straight.

Upper arm * A little shorter than the shoulder blade. Slightly sloping and strong.

MOUTH *The teeth are well developed and symmetrical. Normal dentition. Tight scissor bite.

NECK * Muscular. It appears to be rather short in male s due to the thick ruff and of medium length in bitches. Throat without dewlap.

FOREQUARTERS   Viewed from the front, straight and parallel. The bone is of medium strength. The upper arm is a little shorter than the shoulder blade and the forearm.

Shoulders * Firm, very mobile and relatively straight.

Upper arm * A little shorter than the shoulder blade. Slightly sloping and strong.

Elbows * Placed in front of a vertical line drawn from the highest point of the shoulder blade; pointing straight backwards.

Forearm * Rather strong, vertical.

Pastern * Of medium length, slightly sloping.

BODY Withers * Clearly defined, especially in males.

Back * Rather short, straight and muscular.

Loin * Short and muscular.

Croup * Of medium length, well developed and slightly sloping.

Chest * Deep, reaching almost to the elbows, not very broad. The ribs are slightly arched; the forechest clearly visible, not very broad.

Underline * Slightly tucked up.

HINDQUARTERS    Strong. Viewed from behind, straight and parallel. Moderate angulation. The bones are of medium strength. The upper thigh is slightly longer than the second thigh.

Upper Thigh * Of medium length. Rather broad with well developed muscles.

Stifles * Pointed forward, moderate angulation.

Second Thigh * Muscular.

Hock-joint * Set moderately low, moderate angulation.

Hock (Metatarsus) * Rather short, strong and vertical.

FEET * Forefeet * Roundish cat-feet. Toes tight and well arched. Pads elastic, always black, the sides covered with dense hair.

Hindfeet * A little longer than the front feet, otherwise the same. The dewclaws should be removed.

GAIT/MOVEMENT  Light, covering the ground effortlessly. Changes easily from trot to gallop which is the most natural style of movement. The legs move parallel. When rushing after game, he bursts explosively into a fast gallop.

COAT * Skin *Tight overall without wrinkles.

TAIL * Curved vigorously forward from the set-on, tightly along the back, down and slightly backwards, pressed against the upper thigh. The tip of the tail reaches to the middle of the upper thigh, when straightened, reaches approximately down to the hocks.

Hair Rather long on the body, semi-erect or erect, stiffer on the neck and back. On the head and legs, except at the back of the hindquarters, short and close-lying. The stiff hair on the shoulders, especially in males, is noticeably longer and coarser. On the back of the thighs (trousers) and on the tail, the hair is long and dense. The undercoat is short, soft, dense and light in colour.

COLOUR * The hair on the back is red or golden brown, preferably bright. A lighter shade inside the ears, on cheeks, throat, chest, belly, inside the legs, back of the thighs and on the tail. A white stripe on the chest and small white markings on the feet are permitted.

SIZE Height at withers: Ideal height for males 47 cm [18.5 ins]

Ideal height for females 42 cm [16.5 ins]

With a tolerance of +/- 3 cm [ just over 1 in.]

Weight Males 12 – 13 kg [26.5 – 28.5 lbs]

Females 7 – 10 kg [15.5 – 22 lbs]

Heavy  head, coarse muzzle, weak underjaw

Ears pointing forward in a sharp angle, leaning sideways or close together at the tips, curving backwards or ears that are longhaired inside.

Slack or too tightly curved tail.
Too flexible in pasterns.
Long, soft, too short or close-lying coat.
Clearly defined diversity of colours.

DISQUALIFICATIONS   Flesh coloured nose.

Over or undershot mouth.

Eyes bright yellow or wall eye.

Ears with drooping tips.

Wavy or curly coat.

Colour shades differing clearly from the basic colour.

Large white markings on the chest and/or a white sock.

Clearly aggressive disposition towards people.

FAULTS  Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered 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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