Finnish Spitz

Patellar Luxation

Legg-Perthes Disease

Hip Dysplasia

Heart murmurs

Since Finnish Spitzes are more vulnerable to obesity than certain other breeds, it's important not to overfeed them. The average dog needs between 1.75 and 2.5 cups of food each day.

It's crucial to understand the canine morphology and digestive system when settling on the right Finnish Spitz food. Dogs' digestive tracts haven't changed much since they were undomesticated wolves, and they're better suited to eating fresh, high-protein prey.

This is what we call ""species-appropriate eating,"" and it's what a regular, raw diet aims to achieve.

Finnish Spitzes have a double coat that is fluffy and medium in weight. It sheds all year mildly and heavily for a few weeks in the spring and fall. However, to prevent the hair from floating around, you'll need to clean it more often at that period.

The Finnish Spitz is a ''natural'' breed, or ''wash and carry,'' as some owners refer to it. ''No trimming of the coat is permitted except for the feet,'' the standard breed states. Whiskers are not to be shaved. Some stitching, dying, trimming, scissoring, or another way of altering the coat must be seriously faulted.'' Every two to three days, lightly spray the coat with water and clean it with a pin brush is sufficient. The outer coat will be dried with a hot blow dryer.

The Finnish Spitz possesses a lot of energy that must be expended. They make excellent jogging companions and can take at least two 30-minute walks a day. Since these dogs are prey-driven, they can track down and kill other creatures.

The Finnish Spitz requires at least an hour of daily exercise, but since this is an intelligent and autonomous animal, walks must be enjoyable and include training and activities, rather than just plodding along the same path day after day.

They like the cold and will not feel rain or wind under their heavy coat, so don't expect a rain check or a snow day.

Fortunately, due to careful breeding, Finnish Spitz is a relatively stable breed with few health problems. The numbers of affected dogs are meager, so responsible breeders test prospective breeding stock for patella, knees, legs, and eyes. New owners are encouraged to speak with their breeders about how to care for developing puppies, including the importance of limiting vigorous activity and delaying spaying and neutering before maturity (3?5 years).

Spitz in Finland adore children and can put up with a lot before turning away when they've had enough. They're strong enough that they won't readily hurt toddlers with underdeveloped motor skills.

However, you should continually educate children on approaching and treating dogs. You should always supervise all contact with dogs and small children to avoid any biting or ear or tail pulling on any party's side.

Teach your child never to touch a sleeping or feeding dog or threaten to steal the dog's food. Any dog, no matter how friendly, should never be left alone with an infant.

Since this is an intelligent breed, training them can be difficult. Keep sessions brief and enjoyable while lavishing praise and rewards. The universal motivator seems to be food. When they've had plenty, they'll let you know. For the new puppy, early socialization and pet training courses are required.

Finnish Spitz gets along well with other dogs and cats, mainly if they've been raised with them, but stranger dogs can be violent. Pet birds should also keep an eye on their surroundings.