Longevity
Life expectancy
With a life expectancy generally between 12 and 15 years, the Finnish Spitz is one of the rather long-lasting medium-sized dogs when it receives an appropriate lifestyle, enough exercise and regular veterinary follow-up.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Overall, the Finnish Spitz shows good general robustness. Its heritage as a Nordic dog selected for outdoor work explains its resistance to cold climates and its solid build.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Even if the breed is generally robust, it remains useful to monitor the joints, thyroid function and eye health, particularly in dogs intended for breeding or very active.
Hip dysplasia: a joint condition that can impair locomotion and promote osteoarthritis with age.
Elbow dysplasia: a developmental abnormality of the elbow likely to cause pain, lameness and joint wear.
Hypothyroidism: an endocrine disorder that can cause fatigue, weight gain and skin changes.
Patellar luxation: an abnormal displacement of the kneecap that can cause locomotor discomfort and intermittent lameness.
Cataract: an opacification of the lens that can gradually reduce vision.
Epilepsy: a neurological condition characterized by seizures of varying intensity requiring veterinary follow-up.
Glaucoma: an increase in intraocular pressure constituting an emergency for vision.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
The Finnish Spitz tolerates cold and bad weather very well thanks to its dense undercoat. On the other hand, high heat requires more vigilance, with outings during cool hours, shade and water available.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
This active dog generally maintains good condition when it gets enough exercise. It is nevertheless advisable to adjust the ration to the age, activity level and size in order to avoid any gradual weight gain.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Plan regular veterinary follow-up with monitoring of weight and locomotion.
- Maintain daily physical activity to preserve muscular and joint condition.
- Monitor the eyes, gait, and any sign of discomfort after exertion.
- Brush the teeth and check the claws if they do not wear down naturally.
Vaccination
Finnish Spitz vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Finnish Spitz need? Like all dogs, Finnish Spitzs should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Finnish Spitz vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Finnish Spitz booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Finnish Spitz need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Finnish Spitz
Regular veterinary monitoring with attention paid to the hips, elbows, eyes, kneecaps and thyroid check-up is relevant to preserve the quality of life of the Finnish Spitz over the long term.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
