Turre
Finnish Spitz
History
Character
Versatility
Barking
A Description of the Breed
Turre is my father's dog. He got her in June 1996 as a birthday present
from my sisters on his 50th birthday. My father had two Finnish
Spitzes when he was a child. Therefore my sisters decided to get one for
him now as well. Turre was born in mid March 1996 and is now a full grown
bitch. I fell in love with her just as everybody in my family did. She is
just so cute and adorable.
On the photo above Turre is about 6 months old and seems to be in deep
thought watching something on the other side of the lake. On another photo (46 kB) she is
about 16 months old and playing in the water (if you are very
observant you may see that she is not at all too happy in the water
element and she actually never gets any deeper into the water). There
is yet another photo (61 kB) from the
same day as the previous one. There she is barking at a squirrel in a
tree (note the typical Finnish Spitz pose).
My father built Turre a dog house to take shelter in case of a sudden summer
shower or other unpleasant atmospheric surprises. Although she spends more
time under the dog house than in it, in this
photo (43 kB) she was caught staring out of the doorway (May 1998 - aged
2 years 2 months).
I try to get my father to tell me some of the best Turre stories to be put
on this page. In the mean while you must settle with this. She has two
peculiarities: especially when she was younger she used to mew like a cat,
and being a small dog she is she often stands and even walks on two legs
trying to see further away or over high obstacles.
The following excerpts (modified or not) are from Finnish
Spitz by Anna Katherine Nicholas, published in 1990 by T.F.H. Publications,
Inc.
The Finnish Spitz is the National Dog of Finland. The Finnish name
Suomenpystykorva is descriptive of the dog itself, the English
translation being "Finnish prick-eared". The Finnish Spitz for many
centuries has been bred as a 'barking hunting dog'. He is also
referred to informally as the Red Spitz and the Barking Bird
Dog. Members of the spitz family have been in existence for well over
six thousand years, the Finnish-type having been traced back through
several thousand of them.
Finnish Spitz were first known in central Russia, where they were
closely associated with the Finno-Ugrian people, and in Central Europe
during their early development. The early Finnish Spitz, progenitors
of our modern dogs, lived in the primeval forests along with small
individual clans of woodsmen. Their hunting abilities were of prime
importance, the people being highly dependent on their dogs to provide
food - other forest inhabitants - for their masters. Eager and adept,
they were willing to hunt whatever type animal might emerge. Gradually
the instinct became directed more towards game birds. As time passed,
the dogs became perfectionists, quite capable of locating a grouse,
flushing it into a tree, and keeping it there with its rapid barking
until the hunter's arrival.
In 1892 the Finnish Kennel Club officially recognized the little red
dogs as a breed. In 1897 the original Finnish Spitz standard was
amended due to a basic change in the general outline of the
dog. Originally a rather long, foxlike body was preferred, but as the
years progressed it became clear that a dog of short back and square
build was more efficient for bird hunting, as it moved swiftly. Thus
the square Finnish Spitz silhouette, today considered correct, began
at that time.
The Finnish Spitz makes an ideal family dog both for his beautiful
appearance and for his many splendid qualities. Correctly he is a
smallish dog, compactly build - a perfect size to live comfortably
most anywhere.
He is fun-loving, keen and alert, always interested in
what is taking place, always ready to play and romp with you or with
the kids. He is companionable, often seeming to consider himself a lap
dog yet immediately appearing embarrassed upon finding himself
there. He is friendly although not quick to make up to strangers. His
confidence must be earned rather than assumed, but the obvious
approval of his master is reflected in his own attitude towards
strangers, which is at first wary but not hostile.
The Finnish Spitz has a special affinity for children, with whom he is
most trustworthy. Should the game become overly rough, he will not
attempt to retaliate but simply walk away.
This little dog is completely happy as a member of your household. He
is a hardy fellow who seems undisturbed by heat or cold, a good 'doer'
who enjoys his food, and gets on well with dogs of breeds other than
his own, as well as with other Finnish Spitz. He is not aggressive in
that he seldom starts a fight. But if attacked, he will hold his
ground.
The breed's alertness and intelligence makes them wonderful watchdogs,
as does their sharp, loud, business-like bark. Anything arousing their
suspicion, such as a strange noise or a person prowling, has them
instantly at attention and loudly proclaiming that something is
happening of which they disapprove or fail to understand. For some
people a Finnish Spitz is the ideal answer to protediton. Obviously a
prowler, would-be burglar, or any other person up to no-good would
not prefer to have his presence announced by a determined dog, telling
the world and his family that something is wrong. Finding himself on
premises protected in this manner, this person will most frequently
move along to a more quiet situation. Because he is light on his feet
and quick of movement, the Finnish Spitz has no trouble avoiding being
grabbed and thus is in little danger himself as he creates all this
furor.
If one is to live amicably with a Finnish Spitz and truly enjoy the
dog, one must realize that this is not a dog for the 'macho man' type
of situation. He is independent and strong willed and can only be
'educated' by kind and gentle firmness. Attempting to bully a Finnish
Spitz will get one nowhere and simply break the dog's spirit. This
does not mean that the dogs cannot be trained - quite the contrary. If
treated kindly, spoken to in a reasonable tone of voice, and handled
with a gentle touch, the dog will respond and learn to do your
bidding. But he will do so because he then wants to please you, never
because he has been cowed and bullied into it.
Prospective owners of a Finnish Spitz should bear in mind that these
are dogs who bark a great deal, and thus could cause an unpleasant
situation if one has neighbours in close proximity. The bark of the
Finnish Spitz is an integral part of his personality and has been
highly prized through centuries. It must be realized that the Finnish
Spitz's primary work in life has been as a barking/hunting bird
dog. There has been great pride taken in the tone and quality of the
dog's bark, which can range from a distinctive yodel to short sharp
notes.
When hunting in the forests, this is his way of keeping audio contact
with the huntsman as he uses scent, sight and voice on the
trail. Startig softly, the bark builds to a crescendo, thus telling
the hunter where the bird is located. As he approaches his quarry the
dog gently wags his tail (said to have a mesmerizing effect on the
bird, already distracted by the barking). By tail motion and voice,
the Finnish Spitz proves his cleverness as he leads the bird to turn
its back to the hunter who then can approach it with ease.
A dog as smart as the little Spitz can be discouraged from excessive
barking. A kindly manner is the best approach. It should be borne in
mind that barking has been encouraged in these dogs for as long as
there have been Finnish Spitz, so overcoming it, if one must, may not
be easy.
Finnish Spitz, although little used for hunting outside of Finland,
enjoy outdoor activities, accompanying one on hikes, strolling through
the woods, etc. Of course, they are every bit as happy in your living
room sharing your company, of that you are assured.
These are meticulously clean dogs who almost seem to keep themselves
groomed. They should, however, be brushed on at least a weekly basis,
especially at coat changing time. Bathing should be done only if and
when needed.
The Finnish Spitz is a medium-size, squarely built dog who ideally
measures approximately 17.5 - 20 inches (44 - 51 cm) at the withers
(point of shoulders) in males; 15.5 - 18 inches (39 - 46 cm) at the
same point in females. Thus it will be noted that, although still on
the smallish side, the male is considerably larger than the
female. This is a breed in which it is definitely noticeable that the
males are masculine - the females feminine - in appearance. The
bitches, however, should never be refined to the point of 'weediness';
nor should the dogs be coarse.
As one looks at a Finnish Spitz, one is impressed by the
well-balanced, square body that must be symmetrical and in proportion
to the rest of the dog. This combined with the proud, alert carriage,
proper head and expression, and the gorgeous red-gold coat make the
Finnish Spitz outstanding.
The fox-like expression of the Finnish Spitz is a most important
feature of the breed, and is lost should the head be coarse or
overdone. Finnish Spitz breederes point out that darker markings on
the forehead or muzzle give a scowling impression, explaining that
this is due to the markings only and not to be considered a
fault.
The ears, which are set high on the head, are parallel when the dog is
alert. They open towards the front, with tips directly above the outer
corners of the eye. Sharply pointed, small and erect, they are
extremely mobile.
The skull between the ears is flat, with a minimal rounding in front
of the earset. Forehead is slightly arched. The skull to muzzle length
ratio is 4-3, skull slightly longer in males and slightly shorter in
females than these figures is acceptable.
Seen from above and from the side, the muzzle is narrow, the width and
depth being equal where muzzle inserts to the skull. The muzzle tapers
smoothly to the nose, where it becomes about 80% the circumference at
its point of origin.
Almond-shaped eyes contribute to the foxy expression, are obliquely
set, and have black eyerims. They must be set moderately apart, with
outer corners tilting upwards. Preferably dark in colour, espression
keen and alert. Nose and lips are black, the latter thin and
tight. The mouth is level with a scissors bite.
The neck is muscular and well set, appearing shorter in males than in
females owing to the heavier mane. There should be no excess of loose
skin below the muzzle.
The square, muscular body has a strong topline, level from withers to
croup. Deep chest with brisket reaching to elbow. Ratio of chest depth
from withers to ground is 4-9. Well-sprung ribs, short loin with
slight tuck-up.
Tail set on just below the level of topline, forming a single curl
which falls over the loin with tip pointing towards the thigh. Plumed,
it curves vigorously from the base in an arch, forwards to downwards
to backwards, pressing flat against either thigh with tip extending to
middle of thigh. When straightened out the tip of tail reaches the
hock joint.
The layback of the shoulders is 30 degrees to the vertical. Viewed
from the front, the forelegs are moderately spaced and parallel, and
straight with elbows carried close to the body; turned neither in nor
out. Bone is strong without coarseness, always in proportion to the
overall size of the dog. The pasterns slope slightly when viewed from
the side. Front feet are found, tight and catlike. Angulation of the
hindquarters should balance with the forequarters, giving the dog
smooth, powerful reach from the front and drive from behind. Tights
are muscular, the hocks straight and powerful from hock-joint to the
foot, the hock-joint placed one third or less the height of the
dog. Hind-paws, too, are tight and round.
The Finnish Spitz has a double coat consisting of a short, soft, dense
undercoat covered by long, straight, harshly textured guard hairs,
these measuring up to two inches (5 cm) on the overall dog. Short,
close hair covers the head and legs, coat more dense and longer on the
back of thighs and plume of tail. The outer coat is stiffer and longer
on the neck and back than elsewhere, and in males considerably more
profuse over the shoulders, creating a more heavily ruffed appearance
than the females, whose ruff is less pronounced than that of the
males.
The Finnish Spitz is a natural breed, on whom no trimming should take
place except on the feet. Even the whiskers should not be trimmed, and
sculpturing of the dog is highly frowned upon.
Varying shades of golden-red may range from pale honey to deep auburn,
with no preference given to shades at either extreme so long as the
coat colour is bright and clear. The undercoat being of a paler
colour, the effect created of this shading is a coat that appears to
glow. White markings on the tips of the toes and a quarter-sized spot
of narrow white stripe, ideally no wider than 1/2 inch on the
forechest are permitted. Black hairs along the lipline and sparce
separate black hairs on tail and back are permitted. Puppies may have
good many black hairs which decrease with age, black on tail
persisting longer. Emphasis is placed upon the fact that regardless of
the dog's colour, the undercoat must be lighter in shade in order to
create the desired 'glow'. Hairs on the inner sides if the ears, under
the muzzle, on the breast and abdomen, inside of legs, at the back of
the thighs, and under the tail are of a lighter shade.
In action, the Finnish Spitz is quick and light on his feet, stepping
out briskly and trotting with lively grace. He tends to single track
as the speed increases. When hunting, he moves on his toes at a
gallop. The angulation called for permits him to break quickly into
working gait.
Created by: Rami T. F. Rekola