Hunting spitz Medium size 12-16 kg

Finnish Spitz

A bright, foxy spitz and a famously vocal barker, rewarding for an active owner who can manage the noise and independence.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
12-16 kg, 39-50 cm
High
Activity
High; needs real daily exercise and a job
Low
Alone-time tolerance
Prefers company; struggles with long days alone
Moderate
Trainability
Willing but needs steady guidance
Moderate
Coat care
Weekly brushing keeps the coat in order
Very good
Fit with kids
Good family dog with children
Good
Other pets
Usually fine with early socialization
Light
Health burden
Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts

The Finnish Spitz typically weighs 12-16 kg, stands 39-50 cm, and lives 12-15 years.

Consider this breed if…

you are active and want a bright, foxy companion for the outdoors,
you can live with and manage a genuinely vocal barker,
you enjoy training an independent, thoughtful spitz,
someone is usually home; it dislikes long days alone.

Do not consider this breed if…

you or your neighbors cannot tolerate frequent barking,
you want an off-leash-reliable, biddable obedience dog,
the dog would regularly be alone 8 or more hours,
you want a low-shedding coat with little brushing.

A typical day with a Finnish Spitz

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Brisk walk or run, 30-45 min
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rest near people, a chew
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk, some sniffing time
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Training or play, kept short and fun
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Longer walk or a hike
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Settles once its day has been full

Temperament and training

Vocality Very high
Independence High
Alertness Very high
Sensitivity High
Prey drive High
Trainability Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Trying to punish out the barking it was bred to do · Harsh training on a sensitive, independent spitz · Trusting off-leash recall despite a strong prey drive

Family and environment

Kids Very good
Playful and good with considerate children.
Dogs Good
Usually social with early socialization.
Cats Conditional
Prey drive; best raised together.
Apartment Difficult
Its barking makes close quarters hard.
House with a yard Suitable
Secure fence and daily exercise needed.
City Conditional
Workable with lots of activity and bark management.
Countryside Ideal
Space and outdoor work suit it best.
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 profile
Top health concerns
Hip Dysplasia Joint malformation; screen breeding stock
Cataracts Lens clouding; surgery can restore vision
Hypothyroidism Manageable with daily thyroid medication
Allergies & Skin Issues Environmental and food triggers are common

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Another vocal Nordic hunting spitz
Norwegian Elkhound Grey
A robust, weather-hardy Nordic hunter; loyal and healthy but strong-willed and a serious shedder.
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Bold Finnish hunting spitz alternative
Karelian Bear Dog
A bold Finnish big-game hunter for experienced rural owners - the trade-off is intense drive, strong animal aggression, and a real need for space and a job.
View profile →
Similarly foxy, independent spitz
Shiba Inu
A clean, cat-like spitz that bonds closely but stays independent and strong-willed - not an easy first dog to train.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Finnish Spitz cost in the US?
The breed is uncommon in the US, so expect limited litters and possible waitlists. Puppies from reputable breeders commonly run $1,200-$2,000. Across a 12-15 year life, food, grooming and routine vet care typically add $12,000-$18,000 or more, and a problem like cataracts or hip disease can add thousands on top.
Do Finnish Spitz bark a lot?
Yes, and it is fundamental to the breed. They were bred to hunt by finding game and barking steadily to signal the hunter, so a strong voice is normal. You can manage and channel it with training and enough activity, but you cannot expect a quiet dog, which makes them a hard fit for apartments and noise-sensitive settings.
Are Finnish Spitz good family dogs?
Yes. They are friendly, lively and generally very good with considerate children, and they bond closely with their people. They dislike being left alone for long stretches and do best where someone is around much of the day.
Are Finnish Spitz easy to train?
They are intelligent but independent, so training works best when it is short, positive and interesting rather than repetitive. Recall is unreliable near prey, so keep them leashed or in secure areas. Harsh methods backfire on this sensitive breed.