Scenthound Large size 20-25 kg
Finnish Hound
A friendly, tireless Finnish scenthound bred for tracking, best for a rural, active home rather than close quarters.
Match with your household
See match detail → Quick overview
Large
Size
20-25 kg, 52-61 cm
High
Activity
High; needs real daily exercise and a job
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with a moderate stretch alone
Challenging
Trainability
Can be stubborn; consistent training needed
Low
Coat care
Low upkeep; occasional brushing
Very good
Fit with kids
Good family dog with children
Good
Other pets
Usually fine with early socialization
Light
Health burden
Dental Disease, Hip Dysplasia
The Finnish Hound typically weighs 20-25 kg, stands 52-61 cm, and lives 11-13 years.
Consider this breed if…
you live rurally with room and time for a big active hound,
you hunt or hike and want a tireless tracking companion,
you accept a loud, baying voice as part of the deal,
you can train patiently through a strong, distractible nose.
Do not consider this breed if…
you live in an apartment or a noise-sensitive neighborhood,
you want reliable off-leash recall - the nose usually wins,
you want an easy, quick-to-obey first dog,
you cannot give it 1-2 hours of real daily exercise.
A typical day with a Finnish Hound
- 6:00 · MorningLong walk or run, ideally off-leash in a safe area
- 9:00 · MidmorningRest after exercise, a chew
- 12:30 · NoonShort walk, scent games in the yard
- 16:00 · AfternoonTraining with high-value food, 10-15 min
- 18:30 · EveningTracking outing or a long ramble
- 21:00 · NightA well-exercised hound settles quietly
Family and environment
Kids Very good
Friendly and gentle with children.
Dogs Good
Pack hound; generally sociable with other dogs.
Cats Difficult
Strong prey drive; risky with cats and small pets.
Apartment Unsuitable
Too active and vocal for close quarters.
House with a yard Suitable
Needs a secure fence against roaming.
City Difficult
Noise and lack of space work against it.
Countryside Ideal
Space and tracking work suit its origins.
Health data provided by RealVetCost Overall health burden Light
Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.
View the full health profileTop health concerns
Dental Disease Very common; routine brushing and cleanings help
Hip Dysplasia Joint malformation; screen breeding stock
Bloat (GDV) Life-threatening emergency in deep-chested dogs
Chronic Ear Infections Drop ears trap moisture; keep them clean and dry
Similar breeds - by reason
Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.
Similar Scandinavian tracking scenthound
Hamilton Hound
An elegant, good-natured Swedish scenthound - affectionate and fairly trainable, but a strong nose and high stamina still demand real exercise.
View profile →
Comparable fast Swedish hunting hound
Schiller Hound
A fast, hardy Swedish tracking hound built for cold-weather hunting - its stamina, drive and voice suit an active rural home, not apartment life.
View profile →
Smaller, more available scenthound alternative
Beagle
A merry, kid-proof scent hound that follows its nose over your commands - and tells the whole street when left alone.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
How much does a Finnish Hound cost in the US?
The breed is very rare outside Finland, so US availability is limited and most buyers face waitlists or importing a dog, which raises the total cost well beyond the puppy price. Where available, puppies commonly run $1,000-$2,000 plus any import and travel costs. Across an 11-13 year life, food, exercise gear and routine vet care typically add $13,000-$20,000 or more for a large dog, and an emergency like bloat can add thousands in a single event.
Can a Finnish Hound live in an apartment?
It is a poor fit. This is a large, high-energy tracking hound with a loud, baying voice bred to be heard across the forest. It needs space, a secure yard and long daily exercise, and its noise makes close-quarters living hard on neighbors.
Is a Finnish Hound easy to train?
Not especially. They are friendly but independent and strongly nose-driven, so recall near game scent is unreliable and obedience takes patience and high-value rewards. Keep them leashed or in secure areas, and use scent-based games to work with the instinct rather than against it.
Are Finnish Hounds good with other pets?
They are sociable with other dogs, in keeping with their pack-hound background, but their strong prey drive makes them a risky match for cats and small animals. Early socialization helps, but never rely on it fully around small pets.