Finnish Spitz E-Book

Juliette Cunliffe

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Comprehensive Owner's Guide
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 225

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2012

Beschreibung

The national dog of Finland, the Finnish Spitz is a devoted family companion whose claims to fame are his plush solid-red coat, fox-like appearnce, and his expressive voice. Called the "Barking Bird Dog," Finkies use their voices while hunting forest game and are known to howl and yodel to express their moods, desires, and woes. This Comprehensive Owner's Guide dedicated to the Finnish Spitz opens with a chapter on the breed's history in Finland, discussing the dog's unique hunting ability and how the efforts of two foresters rescued the breed from near extinction. The chapter also covers the breed's introduction to Britain and the United States. Author Juliette Cunliffe describes the breed as having "the temperament and character of a much larger dog," adding that it is adaptable, lively, friendly, and affectionate, all most desirable traits in a Nordic dog. Of great utility to potential owners of the breed, the characteristics chapter details the Finnish Spitz's physical attributes, personality, and health concerns. New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with photographs of handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 full-color photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train into the most well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive and lavishly illustrated chapter on healthcare provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical dogs, breeders, or kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.

Leseprobe

Physical Characteristics of the Finnish Spitz

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Skull: Flat between ears with some minimal rounding ahead of earset. Forehead a little arched. Skull to muzzle ratio 4:3.

Head: Clean cut and fox-like. Longer from occiput to tip of nose than broad at widest part of skull in a ratio of 7:4.

Ears: Small erect, sharply pointed and very mobile.

Eyes: Almond-shaped with black rims. Dark in color with a keen and alert expression.

Nose: Black.

Neck: Well set, muscular. Clean, with no excess skin below the muzzle.

Muzzle: Narrow as seen from the front, above and from the side; of equal width and depth where it insets to the skull, tapering somewhat, equally from all angles.

Chest: Deep, reaches to below the elbow. Ribs—Well sprung.

Color: Varying shades of golden-red ranging from pale honey to deep auburn are allowed, with no preference given to shades at either extreme so long as the color is bright and clear.

Forequarters:Shoulders—The layback of the shoulders is 30 degrees to the vertical. Legs—Viewed from the front, moderately spaced, parallel and straight with elbows close to the body and turned neither out nor in. Pasterns—Viewed from the side, slope slightly.

Body: Muscular, square.

Tail: Set on just below level of topline, forming a single curl falling over the loin with tip pointing towards the thigh. Plumed, curving vigorously from its base in an arch forward, downward, and backward.

Hindquarters: Angulation in balance with the forequarters. Thighs—Muscular. Hocks—Moderately let down. Straight and parallel.

Coat: The coat is double with a short, soft, dense undercoat and long, harsh straight guard hairs measuring approximately one to two inches on the body. Hair on the head and legs is short and close; it is longest and most dense on plume of tail and back of thighs.

Size: Height at the withers in dogs, 17 to 20 inches; in bitches, 15 to 18 inches.

Feet: Rounded, compact foot with well-arched toes, tightly bunched or close-cupped, the two center toes being only slightly longer than those on the outside.

Contents

History of the Finnish Spitz

Meet the national dog of Finland, an all-around hunter’s helper best known for its skills with small game and birds. Learn how the “Barking Bird Dog” was saved from near-extinction by two staunch fanciers named Hugo, follow its establishment and successes in its native land and learn about its unique hunting style.

Characteristics of the Finnish Spitz

The foxy Finnish Spitz has the character of a dog ten times his compact size. Lively, playful and ever-loyal, the “Finkie” makes a great family dog for owners who can challenge his sharp mind and appreciate his vocalizations. Learn the ups and downs of owning the breed, plus discuss its physical characteristics and breed-specific health concerns.

Breed Standard for the Finnish Spitz

Learn the requirements of a well-bred Finnish Spitz by studying the description of the breed as set forth in the American Kennel Club’s breed standard. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

Your Puppy Finnish Spitz

Be advised about choosing a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, typical puppy. Understand the responsibilities of ownership, including home preparation, acclimatization, the vet and prevention of common puppy problems.

Everyday Care of Your Finnish Spitz

Enter into a sensible discussion of dietary and feeding considerations, exercise, grooming, traveling and identification of your dog. This chapter discusses Finnish Spitz care for all stages of development.

Training Your Finnish Spitz

By Charlotte Schwartz

Be informed about the importance of training your Finnish Spitz from the basics of housebreaking and understanding the development of a young dog to executing obedience commands (sit, stay, down, etc.).

Health Care of Your Finnish Spitz

Discover how to select a qualified vet and care for your dog at all stages of life. Topics include vaccinations, skin problems, dealing with external and internal parasites and common medical and behavioral conditions.

Your Senior Finnish Spitz

Consider the care of your senior Finnish Spitz, including the proper diet for a senior. Recognize the signs of an aging dog, both behavioral and medical; implement a special-care program with your vet and become comfortable with making the final decisions and arrangements for your senior Finnish Spitz.

Behavior of Your Finnish Spitz

Learn to recognize and handle behavioral problems that may arise with your Finnish Spitz. Topics discussed include separation anxiety, aggression, barking, chewing, digging, begging, jumping up, etc.

Showing Your Finnish Spitz

Enter the world of showing dogs. Learn about the American Kennel Club, the different types of shows and the making of a champion. Go beyond the conformation ring to find out about other types of canine competition.

KENNEL CLUB BOOKS®FINNISH SPITZ

ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-361-7

eISBN 13: 978-1-62187-053-1

Copyright © 2003 • Kennel Club Books® • A Division of I-5 Publishing, LLC™ 3 Burroughs, Irvine, CA 92618 USA Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 • Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

Photographs by Carol Ann Johnson, with additional photos by:

Norvia Behling, T.J. Calhoun, Juliette Cunliffe, Doskocil, Isabelle Francais, RBP, Bill Jonas, Mikki Pet Products and Alice van Kempen.

The publisher would like to thank all of the owners of the dogs featured in this book, including Debbie Coe and Jo Mansfield.

Illustrations by Patricia Peters.

Here comes the Finnish Spitz! Quick, alert, and keen only begin to describe this “foxy” national dog of Finland, a prized working bird dog in its native land.

The Finnish Spitz is the national dog of Finland, its ancestors having been brought there from Russia by tribes of Finno-Ugrian peoples around 100 AD. Some of the tribes settled in isolated areas in the far north of Finland, and, of course, they took their dogs with them. So it was that in northern Finland, Lapland and the settlements of the Finnish tribes in Russian Karelia, an all-purpose hunting dog developed that was to become the Finnish Spitz.

In Finland, the breed is called the Suomenpystykorva, or the Finnish Cock-Eared Dog, though it has also been known as the Finnish Barking Bird Dog. Unfortunately, there is little reliable data about the early history of the breed in Finland, but some old documents have indeed proved the early existence of such dogs. Wilhelm von Wright mentioned a “foxlike bird dog” in 1834 and, in 1875, the French explorer de la Martiniere mentioned deep red dogs that he had encountered even as far north as the Muurmanni coast.

It is likely that the hunting tribesmen who lived around the central area of the Volga River obtained their dogs from others within their own group or from those living nearby. However, when some of the Finns from this area began their migration toward the Baltic Sea, they were in contact with German and Baltic people for a long while. Thus, their dogs underwent conformational changes, a natural result of having been mixed with Middle-European breeds.

SPITZ ANCESTORS

The ancestors of the European spitz group of dogs can be traced back to the hunter-gatherers of the Stone Age, some 6,000 years ago. The Turf Spitz was a dog buried by accident and preserved in the peat bogs that ranged from the northern plains of Germany through most of Denmark. Because this was an area of swampland, houses were built on stilts. Over time, well-preserved remains of humans as well as dogs have been recovered from the resultant peat bogs.

When tribes moved northward, though, to find better hunting grounds, they took with them their dogs, which had already been developed for this very purpose. They were smaller than the dogs from the Finno-Ugric age, for their usage was now rather different. There were fewer game animals about, so the ability to hold prey at bay and kill prey had become less important than scenting ability, tracking skills and the ability to inform the master. The Finnish Spitz had become a highly useful dog but, in the remote areas of Finland, where the dogs had remained fairly pure-bred, they had to find their own food, too. Here they hunted birds and small animals, and they tended to stay close to people’s houses to seek protection from wolves. Indeed the Finnish Spitz’s battle for survival was a tough one.

FEAR FOR THE BREED’S SURVIVAL

By the 1880s, the pure-bred Finnish Spitz found itself virtually on the edge of extinction. Thankfully, though, two foresters, Hugo Richard Sandberg and Hugo Roos, decided to do what they could to save the breed, for they realized just how serious the situation was.

Hugo Sandberg wrote about the breed in Sporten magazine in 1890, saying how the Finnish dog lived in close contact with his family and shared with them both “the sunny and the cloudy days.” He talked of the dog’s displays of devotion and “self-sacrificing loyalty” toward his master and wrote that the dog had a lot more courage than one would expect from such a small breed.

Another native breed of Finland is the Finnish Lapphund. Dogs of this region must have heavy coats, which serve as protection from the cold climate.

Indeed this was a highly important article, for in it Mr. Sandberg also suggested that the Finnish Kennel Club, which had only been formed in 1889, should restore this valuable and truly native breed. According to the club’s rules, it was bound to “promote better caretaking of dogs in our country (Finland) by spreading general information about pure-bred dogs and the advantages of breeding pure-bred dogs.”

Thus it was that in 1892, the Finnish Spitz as we know it today was included in the Finnish Kennel Club’s stud book, and the standard for the breed’s conformation as suggested by Mr. Sandberg was approved. Shows were held and the breed took its fair share of prizes at these events. In 1897, the standard was revised and the breed’s name officially became Finnish Spitz. Hugo Roos was an active breeder for 30 years and exhibited for even longer. It was he who played the major part in gathering the foundation stock of the breed for its reestablishment.

A SPITZ BY ANY OTHER NAME…

Over the years, the Finnish Spitz has come to be known by a number of different names: Suomenpystykorva, Suomalainen Pistykorven, Finnish Cock-Eared Dog, Finnish Hunting Dog, Barking Bird Dog, Finsk Spets, Finnish Spets or Loulou Finois (or Finlandais). In Count Henri Bylandt’s book, published in the Netherlands in 1894, the names Finnish Pom and Finsche Keeshond were also included. Affectionate nicknames are “Finkie” or “Finsky.”

THE 20th CENTURY IN FINLAND

Until the 1920s, Hugo Roos was considered the pioneer of the breed, which has continued to increase in popularity over the years. In 1925, the breed standard was again revised, and it remained the same until another revision in 1996. In 1979, the Finnish Spitz was declared Finland’s national breed, this being a fine reward for the efforts put forth by the breed’s loyal enthusiasts over preceding decades. It is significant that in Finland’s show rings today, no Finnish Spitz may claim the title of champion without having gained a working or trials certificate, thus underlining the dedication to preserving the breed’s original and true characteristics.

HUNTING IN FINLAND

In Finland, the breed is very much a working animal, having been used for centuries by huntsmen to hunt forest game. Their prey has included elk, bear, squirrel and hare, as well as the game birds cappercaillie and grouse. Working with the Finnish Spitz always demands a sure-footed hunter for the varied terrain, ranging from moss-covered boulders to marshland.

Today the Finnish Spitz is primarily kept in rural regions where game is used to feed the families of the huntsmen, though hunting is only allowed during the specified hunting season, and the number of birds taken is strictly regulated. In fact, in years when numbers of cappercaillie are low, Finnish Kennel Club registration figures for the breed decline accordingly. This breed is also used as a guard, for the Finnish Spitz can be highly vocal.

It is believed that, in Finland, birds were hunted using traps even as late as the 1930s. Therefore, the Finnish Spitz has only been used as a barking bird dog from that time on. However, the method of hunting employed with the Finnish Spitz is very specific to this breed. The dog is trained to range ahead of the hunter and, when quarry (a bird) is found, the bird is followed until it settles in a tree. The dog runs then forward and backward, swaying his tail. These actions attract the bird’s attention and lull it into a false sense of security. Some say that the bird feels as if it is being confronted by a swaying serpent, and, mesmerized, it follows the dog with its gaze, giving the hunter the opportunity to move in closer to take his shot.

The Finnish Spitz then barks, becoming increasingly louder. The dog’s noise, often referred to as yodeling, camouflages that of the approaching hunter, who takes an accurate shot at the bird. However, there are occasions when the bird moves off before the hunter has reached a suitable position for a shot, in which case the dog stops barking and once more begins to track the bird until it settles again.

THE FINNISH SPITZ REACHES BRITAIN

Although there may possibly have been a handful of Finnish Spitzen brought to Britain beforehand, it was in 1920 that Sir Edward Chichester became attracted to the breed while on a hunting trip in Finland. He brought a brace (pair) over to Britain and later an unrelated stud dog. Another person who had seen the breed in Finland and imported dogs was Lady Kitty Ritson (Tulchan). It was she who, with Mrs. de la Poer Beresford (Whiteway), Lionel Taylor (Hello), Mrs. and Miss Pink (later Mrs. Piper) and Mrs. Moulton (Boydon), set up the Finnish Spitz Club, which was registered with the English Kennel Club in 1934.

Hallo Aaro Ukinpoika, owned by Mr. L. S. Taylor, has a head and expression typical of dogs shown in the 1930s. Some examples of that time were even more fox-like in appearance.

A Hungarian-owned Finnish Spitz of the 1930s. This dog’s head construction is quite different than other breed representatives of the day, and certainly different than the dogs of today.

A reproduction of a painting by Dorothy Hallett, showing Rusty, an import owned by Sir Edward Chichester, who is generally credited with the breed’s popularity in the UK. In the early days, the breed was known as “Finsk Spets” in Britain.

During the first few years, the imported dogs allowed the breed to become established in Britain, but, as with so many breeds, the Finnish Spitz encountered serious problems with the onset of World War II. Thankfully, the imports, Mountjay Peter, Kiho Seivi and, from Sweden, Friedstahills Saila, helped the breed enormously, and others of value followed them. Tophunter Tommi and Tophunter Turre were born in quarantine and, as the years went on, they appeared in the vast majority of the pedigrees of the UK’s most successful dogs.

Tommi and Turre were later owned by Mrs. Griselda Price (Cullabine), who was the importer of Kiho Tipsa. Her stock was largely founded on Lady Kitty Ritson’s Tulchans and she also became the owner of Una of Snowland, another Finnish Spitz to appear in many of the breed’s successful pedigrees. More recently, it is Eng. Ch. Urheilu Pennan Pipsa of Toveri who has dominated top-winning pedigrees; she also is the breed’s top brood bitch of all time.

LANGUAGE LESSON

The Finno-Ugrian group of languages includes Finnish, Estonian, Lapp and Hungarian, as well as some other northeastern European languages. About 22 million people speak one of the languages classified within this group.

HUNTER’S HELPER

There is no doubt that spitz dogs were used to aid huntsmen, even when they were still using the crossbow. However, these dogs became a more important part of the huntsmen’s lives and work when firearms were introduced. The Finnish Spitz could be described as a gundog, as it encompasses the skills of pointers, setters and retrievers in it work, its main employ being the hunting of cappercaillie, a large game bird. Despite this, the breed is classified in the Non-Sporting Group in the US and in the Hound Group in Britain.

Tommi and his sire Hammon, two remarkable Finnish Spitzen owned by Sir Edward Chichester.

THE BREED ARRIVES IN THE US

It is believed that the first Finnish Spitz to arrive in the US was Cullabine Rudolph, who was sent there from Griselda Price’s Cullabine kennels in 1959. Breeding of Finnish Spitzen in the US did not, however, begin until the mid-1960s, this with the use of imports from Finland, owned by Henry Davidson of Minnesota and Alex Hassel of Connecticut.

A well-known and respected British dog breeder and judge, Lady Kitty Ritson, pictured with a Finnish Spitz. She was one of the first to import the breed into the UK and was a specialist on the breed.

In 1975, the Finnish Spitz Club of America was formed and, a year later, the breed standard was drawn up, based on that used in Finland. Not until 1983 was the Finnish Spitz accepted into the American Kennel Club’s Miscellaneous Class, and the breed was approved to be shown in this class beginning in April 1984. AKC Stud Book registrations for the breed commenced in 1987.

On January 1, 1988, the Finnish Spitz became eligible to compete at AKC-licensed shows in the Non-Sporting Group and, in 1992, the breed club held its first national specialty in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Finnish Spitz Club of America was doubtless proud to become a member club of the AKC in 1993. This is the national parent club for the breed, and it is dedicated to encouraging and promoting the breeding of pure-bred Finnish Spitzen, doing all that is possible to bring the breed’s natural qualities to a state of perfection.

THE FINNISH SPITZ ON POSTAGE STAMPS

Despite its being a breed that is not especially well known, the Finnish Spitz appears on a number of postage stamps and other collectible items. In 1965, Finland produced a set of stamps that included the Karelian Bear Dog, the Hamiltonstövare and, of course, the Finnish Spitz. They were printed from line-engraved plates, such that the printing ink was held in the lines scratched onto the smooth surface of a printing plate, made either of steel or copper. This is known as the intaglio process, and was the method used for the famous “Penny Black” stamp. What is of special interest is that 1965 was indeed rather late to still be using this early printing process, and so adds to the interest of this trio of Finnish stamps.

The Finnish Spitz Noita. It was noted that this dog represented what the breed should look like in the 1930s, and that while the Finnish Spitz cannot be mistaken for any other breed, it is undeniable that the breed belongs to the spitz (“spitz” meaning “pointed” in German) family.

Another highly interesting aspect of this particular set of stamps is that it was one of the first sets of stamps to carry a surcharge, something that was subsequently donated to a charity, in this case the Anti-TB Fund.

Another set of Finnish stamps depicting dogs was issued in 1989. This time the stamps featured the three breeds already mentioned, plus the Finnish Lapphund. This was to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Finnish Kennel Club and was very different than the first set of stamps, for it was a mini-sheet of stamps with the design continuing onto the border.

The third set of Finnish dog stamps was issued in 1998 to coincide with the hosting of the World Dog Show. This time, there were eight stamps in booklet form, but how disappointed Finnish Spitz enthusiasts must have been to find that the only Finnish breed included was the Lapphund.

A modern champion Finnish Spitz, showing the breed’s type today.

THE BREED IN OTHER COUNTRIES

The Finnish Spitz has been imported in small numbers to many countries throughout the world. In 1952, it found its way to the Netherlands, where it was introduced into the county by J. W. H. Scholtens-Keyzer. In Canada, the breed arrived in the early 1970s; by 1974, there was sufficient interest in the Finnish Spitz for it to be accepted by the Canadian Kennel Club.

There is a lot to love about this intelligent, attractive red dog, which is both a hunter and a family companion, sometimes affectionately known as “Finkie.” With his acute hearing, the Finnish Spitz is an excellent watchdog, but more of an alarm dog than a guard dog; although he barks, he rarely bites. This is a relatively small breed, yet it is usually said that the Finnish Spitz has the temperament and character of a much larger dog.

Although he comes from Nordic regions, he seems to adapt fairly easily to both heat and cold. He needs a good deal of exercise, but the Finnish Spitz is more than willing to lie down in a comfortable place with his human family at the end of the day. He should, however, never be considered a lap dog.

PERSONALITY

The Finnish Spitz is a lively dog that is very alert and can be wonderfully playful, making a great family companion for all ages. This is not a breed that adapts well to a strictly kenneled living situation; he needs time both outdoors for exercise and indoors as a part of his family’s life.

FOXY!

The Finnish Spitz is often likened to a fox. This is due in part to his fox-like head, but also to his rich red color. Some think that the expression “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed” might just have been coined to describe the Finnish Spitz.

The Finnish Spitz is friendly and wants both affection and attention, but is independent and can be rather aloof with strangers. The nature of the Finnish Spitz is somewhat protective and the breed does establish a dominance hierarchy, with males tending to be rather domineering and dog-aggressive. Having said that, though, most Finnish Spitzen do get along well with other dogs in the home.

The Finnish Spitz is a playful dog that generally loves the company of children. However, young children and dogs should always be supervised when together. Even though the breed is not really a large one, accidents can happen. Also, the coat can be pulled, and toddlers can often be quite rough in their games. Children of all ages must be taught to treat dogs kindly, gently and with respect.

SPITZ BREEDS

The word “spitz” is a general word used to describe dogs with pointed ears and sharp muzzles. The spitz breeds also all have curled tails and dense, double coats. The Finnish Spitz is one of many spitz breeds found today in show rings around the world.

Another of the spitz family, the German Spitz.

This is quite a sensitive breed; harsh discipline is not at all suitable for a Finnish Spitz. Patience and understanding are musts, and any training given must be consistent. It is important that puppies are taught what they are and are not allowed to do early on, because, if given half the chance, they will take over the household.

This is a breed that, because of its intelligence, has the capability of learning quickly. However, also because of the breed’s intelligence, Finnish Spitzen can get incredibly bored if required to repeat things too often! Some are trained for the lower levels of obedience competition but, as with all breeds that are not reputed to be top obedience material, there can be exceptions and some Finnish Spitzen fare well at the higher levels.

This is also a breed that likes to keep clean, and they always seem happy to wash each other as well as themselves!

THE FINNISH SPITZ AND HIS BARK

Finnish Spitzen, like the majority of spitz breeds, have vociferous barks, which need to be kept under control. Working dogs in their homeland are taught to bark at certain game, while ignoring other birds and animals. Since the Finnish Spitz is a breed that was developed to bark, owners must be aware that barking is a part of the dog’s nature. With correct training, barking can be controlled, and it is essential that your Spitz knows without a doubt that excessive barking will not be tolerated. Constant barking can be a dreadful nuisance both to you and, more importantly, to your neighbors.

HUNTING AND ESCAPING

Finnish Spitzen seem to have an inclination to hunt anything that moves, which, after all, is their natural instinct. Good sturdy fencing is therefore essential around the perimeter of your property, and you should check the fence regularly to make sure that your canine hunter does not have an escape route!

A breeder and his Finnish pack. Although the breed generally gets along well with its housemates, owning a group of these assertive dogs is certainly a big responsibility.

When kept outside, especially for long periods, a Finnish Spitz will be inclined to bark at every new event, and he has a range of other vocalizations, too. In Scandinavia, official competitions are held to find the “King of the Barkers.” It is worth bearing in mind that in barking contests held in Finland, the Finnish Spitz has been known to bark as many as 160 times in a minute!

A Finnish Spitz male (on the left) and female (on the right). It is important that the dog appear masculine and the bitch feminine.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The whole appearance of this bold spitz breed indicates his liveliness, something that shines through especially in his eyes, ears and tail, the latter of which is plumed and curved vigorously from its root, in an arch but not in a full circle. The breed standard explains exactly how the tail of the Finnish Spitz should lie.

There should be no suggestion of coarseness in this compact dog, which has a body that is almost square in outline. It is generally accepted, though, that bitches can be a little longer in body than dogs. The chest is deep and the belly just slightly drawn up. The feet are preferably round and, although removal of front dewclaws is optional, hind ones must always be removed.