The Black Russian Terrier originated in the 1940’s bred by the Russian Army, controlled kennel (Red Star), for use by the Russian Arm Services. The breeder’s intensions were to have a massive robust, high-spirited, well rounded dog, which would be able to withstand hard work and sever climate changes.

Breeders used approximately twenty different breeds of dogs in the creation of the Black Russian Terrier. Some of the dogs, which were used in the creation of this breed were, Giant Schnauzers, Rottweiler’s, Airedales and the Russian Water Dog.

Black Russian Terriers have all the same abilities that are found in German Shepherds, without the Shepherds aggressive nature.

Physical characteristics of this breed:

Height: Female are 25 to 28 inches, males are 25 to 29 inches.

Weight: Females are 99 to 110 lbs., and the males range from 110 to 132 lbs.

Average Litter Size: 6 to 12 pups

Average Life Span: 10 to 14 years

The waterproof coat of this breed is black, with individual grey hairs running throughout, brown or white markings can be, reason for disqualification during competition. Their coats are full and wavy appearing hand stripped, the texture is course, lying close to the body, the beard and muzzle of the dog should never be touched.

Grooming Requirements:

Grooming this breed should consist of trimming two to three times per- year, stripping is necessary only if the coat is soft. The dog should be brushed at least once a week, special attention should be given often to trimming the hair from the ears and under the paws.

General Health Concerns

The Black Russian Terrier is a robust healthy breed, but like most breeds they are prone to certain hereditary diseases some of, which are Elbow dysplasia, Hip dysplasia, Hyperuricosuria and Progressive retinal atrophy.

Is This the Dog for You?

This breed will fare well in an apartment, if romping and playing is incorporated in their daily exercise routine, they are usually relatively inactive while indoors. The size of your yard is not important; you will always find your dog waiting at the door to come inside. Although this breed isn’t known to wonder far from home, it’s always a good idea to ensure an quality pet containment system is in place.

Black Russian Terrier’s need close human contact; they enjoy rolling in the snow and splashing in water. This dog is brave and very observant, with strong and protective instincts when it comes to their masters, they are suspicious of strangers.

While training puppies you will find them to be playful, very versatile and eager to learn. The pups are easily accepting of a leash and normally easily housebroken. Your dog should always be trained to walk at your side never in the lead, learning there place with humans is extremely important.

China’s economy has blossomed so much that it is said that China has a million millionaires. So, what happens when someone didn’t have money now has more than they know what to do with? I’ll give you leg up and just say that the answer isn’t an increase in charitable giving. Nope. You spend it on a dog. Not dog(s) plural, but DOG… as in one.

The Tibetan Mastiff has become the new status symbol for all those new millionaires. The exact numbers are not known, but it has been reported that a pure bred Tibetan Mastiff sold for 1.5 million dollars.
Now, before I go and share my thoughts on the money aspect of it, let me say that the Tibetan Mastiff is easily one of the most majestic dog breeds I have ever seen, possessing the look of a lion more than a dog (though a lion would be cheaper). They are almost as big as lions too, easily weighing in at over 200 pounds.

So, with that out of the way, this dog lover has to say… a million dollars for a dog? A million dollars for something that is going to poop on your carpet, chew up your sofa, slobber all over your clothes before you, and shed all over your black suit or dress right before you head out for a nice dinner? That is beyond lottery winner frivolous. Just put a basketball court in your bed room, have Sting sing at your daughter’s birthday, or gold leaf your toilet like a normal person would.

I suppose you could throw a saddle on it and try to tell yourself you are saving on gas. Come to think of it, with the way gas prices are today, that isn’t a bad idea. Googling Tibetan Mastiffs now.

Article written by Dallas Photographer Nicholas Laning. To read more articles by Nicholas, go to www.laningphoto.com.

Photo by mastino0100.

The Three Amigos – Understanding Differences Between the Wild and Domestic Dogs

To really understand the differences between wild dogs and domestic dogs, consider three canids, coyotes, wolves, and dogs. Despite their differences, they seem to crossbreed rather freely. Unfortunately, it can cause problems when an unexperienced pet owner keeps the offspring as a pet.

Many of our domestic dog’s best traits are the ones most similar to their wild ancestors. For example, the wild dog is every bit as loyal and intelligent as his domestic counterpart. These are traits that allow the pack to survive and thrive.

When a female wild dog gives birth her litter can have anywhere from two to ten pups; however, only one or two pups are expected to survive the first year. Both parents raise the pups until they are fully-grown. The expected life span of a wild dog is thirteen years, and if they are raised in captivity it moves up to twenty years.

The coyote is considered a cousin to both the domestic dog as well as to the wolf. One of the most versatile canids the coyote will eat just about anything making him highly adaptable. He is both cautious and curious and unfortunately, this adaptability often results in missing pets or livestock as humans continue to crowd his land. The coyote looks like a small German Shepherd, but instead of dark brown eyes, the coyote has yellow eyes. Other distinguishing marks include black lines on his legs and a cylindrical, low hanging tail. He is much smaller than the wolf, though his appearance is very similar. His coat has a protective undercoat for protection just like his wolf cousin, and he has four canine teeth just like his domestic dog cousin. The coyote is built for hunting with incredible agility and speed.

Coyotes are notorious pack hunters setting ambushes for larger animals, and double teaming smaller rodents. Coyote females breed in January or February, have six to nine pups and again infant mortality is high. Between human predators, winter temperatures, distemper and roundworm, it is nothing short of a miracle that any of the pups survive. Yet despite being hunted by man and the ravages of parasites and distemper coyotes are alive and thriving.

Wolves on the other hand while similar to the coyote are shy and not quite so quick to adapt, and their numbers are thinning. Physically they mature more slowly than dogs with females not breeding until they are two as opposed to about six months in domestic dogs.

Both the wolf and coyote have a very well defines pack structure. Dog trainers encourage dog owners to understand pack theory and why the alpha position in the pack is so important. Just as your dog lives in your family pack, wolves in the wild live in family packs. Consisting of 12 to 24 members, each pack has a single alpha male and an equivalent female. The alpha dogs maintain order in the pack. Generally only the top male and female mate, and a single litter is born to the pack each year. The job of raising the cubs goes to all of the pack members whereas a domestic male dog does not participate in raising the pups at all. Pack members communicate with subtle body language just as domestic dogs do, and left to their own devices, domestic dogs behave more like wild dogs than not.

There is a line between wild dogs and domestic dogs, but it is probably much thinner than you would expect. Humans frequently use the principles of pack behavior to train their dogs, and it is very effective because of domestic dogs’ connection back to their wolf ancestry; however much of the pure wolf like behavior has been bred out of domestic dogs by generations of selective breeding by humans.

For more information on domestic vs wild dogs visit here

I was just reading up on the new Ashera Hybrid cat on the creators website, when I seen that they are coming out with a new hypoallergenic dog breed called the Jabari GD.

Lifestyle Pets Inc,  is planning to offer up the Jabari GD sometime in 2009.

The Jabari GD is a brand new ‘true’ hypoallergenic small dog that will come with a pricetag of around $15,000.

It looks like a really nice breed, so if you have enough cash to ante up, you may want to find out more by visiting their website at Lifestyle Pets.

Ironically, the $15,000 pricetag is about half of what you will pay for their new hypoallergenic cat breed, the Ashera GD.

Golden Retriever (common misspell; Retreaver) is the basic name given to a breed of dog, originally developed to retrieve shot game during hunting. It is one of the most common family dogs as it is naturally very friendly and amenable to training.

Appearance

The ideal Golden is athletic, and well balanced. It is a symmetrical, powerful, and active dog. An American Golden is less stocky and lankier than a British. A male should stand from 22 to 24 inches  in height at the shoulders, and females should be 20 to 22 inches  at the shoulders. The males weigh 60-80 lbs. and the females weigh 55-70 lbs. The coat should be dense and water repellent, in various shades of lustrous gold or cream, with moderate feathering. Excessive length, lightness, or darkness is undesirable. The gait should be free, smooth, powerful, and well-coordinated.

Temperament

Typically, Goldens are fairly unruly as puppies and may chew and retrieve everything in sight. However, once they reach maturity, Goldens remain active and fun-loving while developing an exceptionally patient demeanor as befits a dog bred to sit quietly for hours in a hunting blind. Golden Retrievers love to work. Other characteristics related to their hunting heritage are a size suited for scrambling in and out of boats and an inordinate love for water.

Another legacy from their hunting background, Golden Retrievers are exceptionally trainable due to their desire to please their handlers and excel in obedience trials. In fact, the first AKC Obedience Trial Champion was a Golden Retriever. They are also very competitive in agility and other performance events. However, harsh training methods frequently cause Goldens to “shut down,” therefore positive methods are a better way to train these wonderful, gentle dogs.

They are also noted for their intelligence. As the name suggests, the Golden Retriever loves to retrieve. Retrieving a thrown stick, tennis ball, or flying disc can keep a Golden occupied and entertained for hours, particularly if there is also water involved. Goldens tend to be very tolerant of boisterous children. However, if not properly trained, they may accidentally injure a child in play.

As they age, they remain excellent friends and companions. They adore their owners and exhibit what can be described as unconditional love.

Care

Golden Retrievers tend to be crepuscular- more active in the mornings and at the evenings. Between these times, many retrievers are happy to sleep providing they get a good burst of exercise each day. Golden Retrievers are moderately active dogs, and require a reasonable amount of exercise each day, although the extent of the exercise is determined by gender (males are more active); by individual temperament (some Golden Retrievers are less active than others); whether the dog has a companion animal (a pair of dogs will burn a lot more energy through play); and by age (puppies tire quickly; adolescent dogs are more energetic). As with any breed of dog, the owner needs to make a responsible determination of the amount of exercise required based on these factors. They are a breed that is prone to obesity, even more so than the Labrador Retrievers, so the average Golden Retriever should never be treated like a small dog, or sedentary housepet. Some dogs may be too active to be easily exercised by elderly owners.

Goldens should be groomed at least once a week, and every day during heavy shedding. Their coats shed heavily the entire year, and even more excessively during shedding season, which is normally in the spring as the dog loses its thick winter coat. They also need to have their ears cleaned regularly, or otherwise an ear infection might occur.

Health

The typical life span for Golden Retrievers is 10-13 years.  In many lines of Golden Retrievers, life-threatening health problems are so common that it can be difficult to find an individual that you can count on remaining healthy for a normal lifetime. When not taken care of (not exercising GR’s can cause them to become obese) a large number of Golden Retrievers live less than 10 years.

Some of the more common ailments are:

Golden Retriever Pictures

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Goldendoodle Hybrid Dog Breed

A Goldendoodle or Groodle is a mixed breed dog, crossbred between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle.

The Goldendoodle, like the Labradoodle and many other Poodle cross breeds, was bred to be a very low shedding assistance dog for individuals who need such a dog, but who suffer from allergies to shedding hair or have other problems with excessive shedding. However, not all Goldendoodles will exhibit the “hypoallergenic” coat style of the poodle; as a mixed breed dog, the traits of puppies cannot be accurately predicted. While some Goldendoodles are low-shedding, many others shed a small amount and still others shed as much as a Golden Retriever. While some breeders claim that the Goldendoodle is a hypoallergenic canine, allergists believe that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic animal. There have been no studies to date verifying whether any canine is completely hypoallergenic. Goldendoodles also make excellent bird dogs, and will try to catch anything that has wings.

Appearance

There are currently no size classifications for the Goldendoodle. It is difficult for a hybrid litter to “breed true”; that is, it is difficult to know exactly what size a Goldendoodle will grow to as an adult, regardless of parental size. However, Goldendoodle sizes can vary if they are standard or mini. A standard Goldendoodle is the result of crossbreeding with a standard-sized Poodle. A standard male Goldendoodle can range in height from 21 to 24 inches, and weigh 55 to 85 pounds. A standard female Goldendoodle can range in height from 20 to 22.5 inches, and weigh 45 to 65 pounds. Goldendoodles can also result from a female golden retriever and a male miniature or toy poodle (both via artificial insemination). Such Goldendoodles can range in height from 13 to 21 inches, and weigh 25 to 45 pounds. Goldendoodles also have different coat types. They can range from curly, wavy, or straight depending on its genes. Goldendoodles can have different colors, depending on the poodle genes passed onto the pup. However, Goldendoodles can be white, blonde, tan, cafe, chocolate, red, black, silver, parti, phantom, or a mix. A mix of colors can come from the same litter.

Temperament

The Goldendoodle is a loving, loyal dog and has a keen sense of smell. They can be taught to enjoy swimming, as both the retriever and Poodle elements of their heritage normally enjoy water. Goldendoodles are intelligent, friendly, and great with kids, just like their Golden Retriever and Standard Poodle parents. They are easily trained, highly social, and by nature are easy with strangers and other dogs. They love to play, and commonly retain the strong retrieving instincts of the Golden Retriever. The Goldendoodle should not be trained as a watchdog as it is highly unlikley that he will respond to this type of aggression.

Health

The poodle and golden retriever breeds are sometimes prone to several detrimental traits. Therefore, it is important that responsible breeders certify their parent dogs are free from hip dysplasia (such as by having them OFA or PennHIP evaluated), cataracts, and other potentially inheritable problems.

Goldendoodle Dod Pictures

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Giant Schnauzer Dog Breed

The Giant Schnauzer (commom misspells; Shnauzer, Shnozzer, Scnauzer) originated in the mid to late 19th century in the Bavarian and Württemberg regions of Germany. Cattlemen wanted a larger version of the Standard Schnauzer for herding and driving, creating it by selectively breeding the Standard Schnauzer with the Black Great Dane, the Bouvier des Flandres, and rough haired sheepdogs. It was a popular herding breed, but its need for more food than some breeds made it less popular for farmers on tight budgets or with limited resources. It was used as a guard dog in breweries and stockyards, a police dog, and during World War I as a military dog.

Appearance

When hand-stripped, the Giant Schnauzer has a harsh, wiry outer coat and dense, soft undercoat. Coat color is either black or salt and pepper (grey). It weighs between 70 and 99 lb and stands 23.5 to 27.5 in at the withers.

Temperament

The Giant Schnauzer is a large, powerful, dominant dog which needs a firm, consistent but friendly handler. Unnecessary harshness will only do harm.Early and consistent training is necessary as the Giant Schnauzer tends to be very willful and are highly intelligent dogs. Its ability to understand a command does not always translate into obedience however!

Giant Schnauzers are fiercely loyal, often becoming so attached to their owner that they follow them around the house. They are extremely kind natured (similar to that of a retriever or labrador) and a good choice for those with children.

Giant schnauzers need vigorous exercise at least twice every day and can easily make a 15 mile hike. The Giant Schnauzer is a good companion for hunter of raccoons, foxes and even deer.

Health

A few health problems with this breed are:

• Toe cancer
• Incontinence
• Hip dysplasia
• Epilepsy
• Hypothyroidism

Giant Schnauzer Pictures

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German Shorthaired Pointer Dog Breed

The German Shorthaired Pointer is a breed of dog developed in the 1800s in Germany for hunting. This gun dog was developed by crossing the old Spanish pointer with a number of other breeds and breed types including scent hounds, tracking hounds, French Braques, and English Pointer to create a lean, athletic, and responsive all around hunting dog. Some authorities consider it to be the most versatile of all gun dogs and its intelligence and affectionate nature make it a popular companion dog for active owners.

Appearance

 The breed is streamlined in build yet powerful with strong hindquarters that make it able to move rapidly and turn quickly. It has moderately long flop ears set high on the head. Its muzzle is long, broad, and strong, allowing it to retrieve even heavy furred game. Its profile should be straight or strongly Roman-nosed; any dished appearance to the profile (such as seen in the Pointer) is incorrect. The eyes are generally brown, with darker eyes being desirable; yellow or “bird of prey” eyes are a fault. The tail is commonly docked, although this is now prohibited in some countries. Docking is performed different than it is done in other dog breeds, where only the part after where the caudal vertebrae start to curl are docked, leaving enough to let the dog communicate through tail wagging and movement. Like all German Pointers, they have webbed feet.

Various breed standards set its height at the withers anywhere between 21 and 25 inches, making this a medium breed. Adults typically weigh from 45 to 70 lbs, with the female being usually slightly shorter and lighter than the male.

The German Shorthaired Pointer’s coat is short and flat. It should have a dense undercoat protected by stiff guard hairs that makes the coat water resistant and better suited to cold weather than that of the English Pointer for example. The color can be a dark brown, correctly referred to in English as liver (incorrectly called chocolate or chestnut), black (although any area of black is cause for disqualification in American Kennel Club sanctioned shows), or either color with white. Commonly the head is a solid or nearly solid color and the body is speckled or ticked with liver and white, sometimes with saddles or large patches of solid color.

Temperament

Since the German shorthaired pointer was developed to be a dog suited to family life and as well as a versatile hunter, the correct temperament is that of an intelligent, bold, and characteristically affectionate dog that is cooperative and easily trained. Shyness, fearfulness, over submissiveness, aloofness, lack of biddability, or aggression (especially toward humans) are all incorrect traits. It is usually very good with children, although care should be taken because the breed can be boisterous especially when young. These dogs love interaction with humans and appreciate active families who will give them an outlet for their energy. Most German Shorthaired Pointers make excellent watchdogs. The breed generally gets along well with other dogs. A strong hunting instinct is correct for the breed, which is not always good for other small pets such as cats or rabbits. With some training, however, it is not unusual for this highly intelligent breed to quickly discern what is prey and what is not, and they can live quite amicably with housecats and the like.

The German Shorthaired Pointer needs plenty of vigorous activity. This need for exercise (preferably off lead) coupled with the breed’s natural instinct to hunt, means that training is an absolute necessity. The German shorthaired pointer’s distinctly independent character and superior intelligence makes this breed best suited to experienced owners who are confident and capable handlers.

Health

The Shorthaired Pointer is generally a healthy breed. Epilpetic seizures have been a problem in some lines, and a few individuals may suffer from hip dysplasia, genetic eye diseases, skin disorders and cancerous lesions in the mouth, on the skin and other areas of the body. Most German Shorthaired Pointers are tough, healthy dogs, but according to Margo B. Maloney DVM (NAVHDA Versatile Hunting Dog Magazine, April, 2003) the breed can be subject to a number of hereditary disorders just as any other purebred.

Unexplained swelling and growth of the nipples by age in males, if not sensitive to the touch, are considered normal in this breed and is fairly common. Although a biopsy can reveal more, a simple check by any veterinarian is sufficient. Occasional bleeding may suggest infection or cancer.

As with any other hunting dog, contact with game can cause the spread of fungi that can easily colonise in the gums and bacteria which can cause infections on open wounds and small cuts from scratching against plants and bushes during a regular hunting session.

Care

Its short coat needs very little grooming, just occasional brushing. The dog should be bathed only when needed.

Like all dogs with flop ears, it can be prone to ear infections and its ears require regular checking and cleaning. It has a longer life expectancy than many breeds of this size, commonly living 12 to 14 years, with individual dogs living to 16 to 18 years not uncommon.

As it is a large, active breed, it can require considerable food; however, it can also become obese if too much food is given for its activity level. A healthy weight should permit the last two ribs to be felt under the coat, and the dog should have a distinct waist or “tuck-up”.

Due to its short coat, body heat management is easier compared to other breeds. However, the breed-specific high levels of activity require the breed to drink considerable amounts of water to prevent dehydration. Early symptoms of dehydration show itself as thick saliva and urine with an excessively strong and distinct smell.

German Shorthaired Pointer Pictures

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German Shepherd Dog Breed

The German Shepherd Dog (common misspell; Sheperd, Shepard, Sheppard) is a popular breed of dog. German Shepherds are highly intelligent, agile and well-suited to active working environments. They are often deployed in various roles such as police work, guarding, search and rescue, therapy and in the military.

Appearance

The German Shepherd Dog is a large and strong dog, and very faithful to its owner. The fur is a double-coat and can be either short or long haired. Although the black and tan saddle  may be most recognizable, German Shepherds come in a variety of colors and patterns though not all are accepted by the various breed clubs or FCI. Two toned German Shepherds can be black and tan, black and red, black and brown, black and silver, black and cream, blue and tan, or liver and tan. Solid colors may be black and solid white or any of the dilutes (liver, blue, or cream).

Dogs with coats that have tricolored hair (black and white with either brown or red) are called sable or agouti. Sables can come in a variety of mixtures as well including black and silver, black and red, black and cream, and black and tan. Some various markings are referred to as ‘striping’ (black stripe markings on the legs found in some sables), ‘pencilling’ (also often found on the sable as black lines on the top of the dog’s toes), ‘tar heels’ (black that runs down the back of the dog’s legs), and the bitch stripe (grey hairs along the back of a female or a neutered male.)

Different kennel clubs have different standards for the breed according to size, weight, coat color, and structure. German Shepherds that compete in dog shows, must have an appearance that conforms with the guidelines of the individual kennel club. Some common disqualifying faults include ears that are not completely erect, or a muzzle that is not predominantly black. Ear faults can be caused by weak cartilage in the ears which allow them to flop (also called “friendly-tipped”). It is often possible for a veterinarian to correct this problem by taping up the ears.

 German Shepherd Dogs can weigh up to 125lbs for males and 85 lbs for females, although 80-90 lbs for males and 65-75 lbs for females are normal and preferred for working dogs.

Temperament

The breed has a personality marked by direct, fearless, but definitely not hostile, expression, self-confidence, and a certain strangeness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them. It is poised, but when the occasion demands, eager and alert; both fit and willing to serve in its capacity as a companion, watchdog, blind leader, herding dog, or guardian, whichever the circumstances may demand. The dog must not be timid, shrinking behind its master or handler; it should not be nervous, looking about or upward with anxious expression or showing nervous reactions, such as tucking of tail, to strange sounds or sights. Lack of confidence under any surroundings is not typical of good character. The ideal dog is a working animal with an incorruptible character combined with body and gait suitable for the arduous work that constitutes its primary purpose.

Health

As is common of many large breeds, German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. Other health problems sometimes occurring in the breed are von Willebrand’s disease, skin allergies and canine degenerative myelopathy. It is also prudent to check the eye and ear health as GSD tend to have problems with these as well. German Shepherds, like all large bodied dogs, are also prone to bloat. They have an average lifespan of 10-15 years.

German Shepherd Dog Pictures

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Finnish Spitz Dog Breed

The Finnish Spitz (common misspells; Finish Spitz, Finnish Spits)  is a breed of dog originating in Finland. The breed is thought to be an old one, bred as a hunting dog.

Appearance

The Finnish Spitz has a square build, meaning that the length of the body is the same, or slightly shorter than the height of the withers to the ground. The length of the body is measured from the point of the shoulder or forechest in front of the withers giving a truly square dogs a short back. Bitches are usually a little longer in the back. Both dogs and bitches should appear slightly longer in the leg. The Finnish Spitz is a double coated breed but the outer coat should not exceed 2 1/2 inches at the ruff. The undercoat is soft and lighter in color than the red/gold outer coat. The undercoat will shed twice a year, and if a Finnish Spitz is to be kept healthy, a good shedding of the undercoat when the dog is ready to “blow coat” is needed. Some exhibitors show dogs with undercoat that should be removed but that is the breeder, owner or handler’s choice. Ommission to shed undercoat is considered neglect by some judges who prefer a clean and combed coat. Dew claws can appear on front and/or back feet. If back dew claws appear, they should be removed by the breeder. The front dewclaws can be removed but since they are usually small, they generally are not removed. If the back dew claws are present and not removed, they look like toes. The front dew claws appear to have no purpose.

The Finnish Spitz has a typical double coat, which consists of a soft, dense undercoat and long, harsh guard hairs that can measure one to two inches long. The coat should be stiffer, denser, and longer on the neck, back, back of thighs, and plume of the tail, whilst shorter on the head and legs. Dogs should sport a slightly longer and coarser coat than the bitches, who are slightly more refined. However the plume of the tail is important to the overall look of the dog but should not be too long. Feathered long tails hairs without sustanstance can give the dog an unkempt look. Additionally the tailset is important and the Finnish Spitz shoud be able to move its tail from one side to the other. Most Finnish Spitz have a preferred side and this is not incorrect. Proper care of the coat is most important. The Finnish Spitz blows coat or loses its undercoat twice a year. It is imperative that owners brush out the old undercoat so the new coat can grow properly. Excessive undercoat can cause skin problems and although your dog may look fluffy and full, the undercoat may be causing serious skin problems. In the show ring, the coat should be shown as completely natural; a brush through the coat is acceptable but no trimming is allowed, not even of whiskers. However, any excessive undercoat should be removed. Some exhibitors leave in the undercoat to make the dog’s coat look bigger. However, most well trained judges see this problem. Another exception is the hair under the bottom of the feet. The hair under the feet as well as the toe nails should be nicely trimmed for show.

Puppies are often described as looking similar to a red fox cub. They are born dark grey/black/brown or fawn, with a vast amount of black. The colour of the adult dog cannot really be assessed until about four months, but even then the colour may change. The adult colour must be red. It can be of almost any shade, varying from pale honey to dark chestnut. There are no preferences over shades as long as the color is bright and clear with no hints of dullness, which is of most importance. The coat should never be of a solid colour. It should be shaded and without any defined colour changes. The coat is usually at its darkest shade on the back of the dog, gradually getting lighter around the chest and belly. The undercoat must always be lighter in colour than the topcoat, but is never allowed to be white. A small patch of white, no more than 1.5 centimetres wide, is allowable on the chest, and white tips on the feet are acceptable, but not desired.

Males height at the whithers is 16-19 inches; females are 14-17 inches tall.

Males weight is 27-33 pounds, while females are 20-27 pounds.

Temperament

Finnish Spitz are a lively, faithful, and intelligent breed of dog. They love playing with children, and are excellent companion dogs, which makes them an ideal family pet. They rarely show aggression unless needed (they are a breed who like to protect their family) but they do love the sound of their own voices. Careful training will need to be undertaken to teach him that his barking is both unnecessary and unwanted, although the barking does come in useful if you are looking for a watchdog, as the Finnish Spitz will very happily locate anything that is out of the ordinary and alert their owners to it.

Because of his intelligence, he is an independent and strong-willed dog and is best trained with a soft voice and touch. He will easily become bored with repetitive training and so sessions should be kept short and to the point, making patience a must-have for any owner. Obedience, agility and field training should be understood from the dog’s point of view. Finnish Spitz are very obedient with a light touch and lots of “positive reinforcement” but most owners and trainers don’t understand the subtle difference and use too much punishment. Top trainers have found Finnish Spitz to be manipulative and sometimes too smart for their owners, so beware, you may not own a Finnish Spitz but your Finnish Spitz may own you.

Finnish Spitz can excel in obedience, agility and rally as a companion dog.

Health

The Finnish Spitz is typically a very healthy breed, and health concerns are rare. A few know problems include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and epilepsy.

Finnish Spitz Pictures

Finnish Spitz Dogs For Sale