All Dog Breeds >>Appearance of Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz has a square build, meaning that the length of the body is the same, or slightly shorter than the height of the withers to the ground. It should look like a fox with a fluffier coat. The length of the body is measured from the point of the shoulder or forechest in front of the withers to the rump, giving a truly square dogs a short back. Females are usually a little longer in the back. Both dogs and females should appear slightly longer in the leg. The Finnish Spitz is a double coated breed but the outer coat should not exceed 2½ inches at the ruff.
The undercoat is soft and lighter in color than the red/gold outer coat. The undercoat will shed twice a year, and if a Finnish Spitz is to be kept healthy, a good shedding of the undercoat when the dog is ready to "blow coat" is needed. Some exhibitors show dogs with undercoat that should be removed but that is the breeder, owner or handler's choice. Omission to shed undercoat is considered neglect by some judges who prefer a clean and combed coat. Dew claws can appear on front and/or back feet. If back claws appear, they should be removed by the breeder.
The front dewclaws can be removed but since they are usually small, they generally are not removed. If the back dew claws are present, they look like toes. The front dew claws appear to have no purpose
Finnish Spitz Training
The Finnish Spitz is moderately easy to train. He learns new commands at the average rate. He is neither difficult nor easy to train.
Finnish Spitz Shedding
The Finnish Spitz is a very heavy shedder. He sheds an awful lot of hair! You'll find hair all over your home, stuck to everything! You'll probably even find it in the butter!
Finnish Spitz Grooming
The medium-length coat of the Finnish Spitz only requires an occasional brushing. But because he sheds excessively you may find yourself brushing him daily to remove loose hair. (What you get out with a brush doesn't fall out in your home!)