Finnish Spitz vs Bernedoodle - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Finnish Spitz vs Bernedoodle - Breed ComparisonBernedoodle is originated from Canada but Finnish Spitz is originated from Finland. Bernedoodle may grow 7 cm / 2 inches shorter than Finnish Spitz. Bernedoodle may weigh 26 kg / 58 pounds more than Finnish Spitz. Bernedoodle may live 4 years more than Finnish Spitz. Bernedoodle may have more litter size than Finnish Spitz. Both Bernedoodle and Finnish Spitz requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Sporting dog
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Canada
Finland
Height Male:
31 - 43 cm
12 - 17 inches
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
Height Female:
28 - 40 cm
11 - 16 inches
39 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
Weight Male:
32 - 41 kg
70 - 91 pounds
12 - 15 kg
26 - 34 pounds
Weight Female:
30 - 39 kg
66 - 86 pounds
10 - 13 kg
22 - 29 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
9 - 11 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
3 - 6
Size:
Large
Medium
Other Names:
Bernese Mountain Poo • Bernesepoo • Bernesedoodle • Bernepoo
Finnish Hunting Dog Finnish Spets Finsk Spets Loulou Finois Suomalainen pystykorva Suomenpystykorva
Colors Available:
black and white tri color sable, merle and phantom tri
golden-red with variations from pale honey to dark chestnut
Coat:
wavy, thick, curly
double
Shedding:
Minimal
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Docile, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Outgoing, Playful, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Alert, Cheerful, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

bernedoodleThe Bernedoodle is a hybrid cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Standard Poodle. They have been around for many, many years but the first official” cross between the two breeds came from Sherry Rupke out of SwissRidge Kennels. The first Bernedoodle were achieved in 2003. She now has an entire breeding program for this hybrid.

A bernedoodle or a first generation is a cross between a purebred a purebred Poodle and a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog. This is a 50/50 mix. This mix is a very low shedding dog and though no dog is hypoallergenic, the Bernedoodle is as close as it gets. If the cross is true between two purebred dogs, the new breed will have the calm, sweet demeanor of the Bernese Mountain Dog and the intelligent, goofy, playfulness of the Poodle. At the same time the Bernedoodle is a hybrid so there will not be two exactly alike.

With purebred dogs you get a lot of consistency from one dog to another. Not so with the Bernedoodle. Each one will be a little different. Sometimes a hybrid dog can be healthier than their parents. Other times there can be health issues with hybrid. It is all about the breeder and if they breed for the right health traits.

If the breeder is conscientious enough the pup will have the best characteristics of both original breeds. Therefore, the Bernedoodle is happy, smart, playful, friendly and social. Sometimes the breeding doesn’t go as planned and you can end up with a Bernedoodle with the stubbornness of the Bernese or the hyper activity of the poodle. As a new cross breed, the Bernedoodle is not recognized by the American Kennel Club because it is a hybrid. They are recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry, The American Canine Hybrid Club, The Designer Dogs Kennel Club.

finnish spitzThe “barking Bird Dog” or Finnish Spitz was Developed in Finland. The breed is fearless and small with a different style than many other hunting dogs. He style of tracking is unusual and he indicated his quarry by barking. He was bred to hunt all sizes of prey from as large as bears to as small as squirrels. He was called the “Barking Bird Dig” because he pointed at the prey by barking and giving the hunter knowledge of the prey and an easy approach to it. In Finland, the Spitz is still a hunting dog. In 1979 The Finnish Spitz became the national dog of Finland.

Spitz-like dogs have been present in Finland for over 8000 years. It is believed that dogs living in higher latitudes had more in common with the Taymyr Wolf od North Asia than with the gray wolf. Tests indicate that the chance of the Spitz being related to the Taymyr is between 1.4&a and 27.3%. The Taymyr is extinct today. This shows that the present day dog descends from more than one type of wolf and more than one area. The Spitz was a favorite of the Finno-Ugrian tribes as he helped them find food. These tribes were pretty isolated until 1880. Then the Spitz were mated with other dogs and were almost extinct as a breed separate from all the other local dogs.

However, like many other breeds the Finnish Spitz found a savior. A Finnish huntsman, named Hugo Roos, noticed the native Finnish Spitz while he was hunting up North. He decided to breed dogs that were genuine Finnish Spitz without the blood of other breeds mixed in. After thirty years the current day Finnish Spitz was born.The latest breed standard was confirmed by the Love Finnish Kennel Club in 1996.

Description

bernedoodle puppy - descriptionSince the Bernedoodle is a hybrid and not an AKC recognized breed, there is no set-in stone breed standard. There are three sizes of Bernedoodles and at least three generations. All of these should be strong boned dogs with powerful and compact bodies. They have log ears, button eyes and a triangle shaped muzzle. The tail is long and bushy, and the coat is medium to long.

There is no standard color, but the most common color is black and white or tri like the Bernese Mountain Dog. They can also be black and brown, sable or merle. The coat is wavy or curly like the poodle.

finnish spitz puppy - descriptionThe Finnish Spitz is balanced and symmetrical in body and females are longer than males. They have a very distinguishable prick, foxy ears and face. They have a smiling expression and a curved tail. They are a golden-red color with a double coat. The under coat is dense and soft While the top coat is stiff. Puppies often look like little red fox cubs. When born they are black, grey or brown with a lot of black. As an adult the pups grow up to be a mix of fawn and dark black. Lips, nose and rims of the eyes should be black.

Characteristics

bernedoodle dog - characteristicsThis is a very social dog that needs to be with people. If you don’t have a lot of time for a dog, then this is not the one for you. He is gentle, calm and affectionate. He is intelligent and sometimes stubborn. They need to be socialized early in life and they will be great with kids and other small animals. They tend to be very playful. Toys and minis have more energy, more stubbornness and more of the poodle divaness.

Children friendliness

finnish spitz dog - characteristicsVery child friendly – loves to play with children as long as the children pay attention to them. If not, the Spitz will go elsewhere.

Special talents

They are independent thinkers and close to family but not strangers. They often “yodel” instead of howl.

Adaptability

Needs to be with people, bonds deeply with his humans. Most get along well with other dogs but because of their hunting instinct they are not good with small pets or birds.

Learning ability

They are smart and learn easily. They are great athletes and learn games and competition well.

Health Problems

bernedoodle puppies - health problemsBecause the breed is so new and bred pure so far, there is not a lot of information about their health or their life span. Even as they seem to have less issues than their parents – the Bernese cancer issue for example does not seem to plague the Bernedoodle. However, that does not mean they don’t have issues. They are still prone to some serious issues.

Skin issues, hip and elbow dysplasia, and eye issues are prevalent in this new breed. They have a tendency toward hot spots and sometimes allergies. Asks a reputable breeder if they have tested the parents and the puppies for dysplasia and eye issues.

finnish spitz puppies - health problemsTypically, a somewhat healthy breed, the Finnish Spitz does struggle with a few genetic concerns. They have been known to suffer from:

  • Elbow dysplasia – Can cause arthritis
  • Patellar luxation – movement in the knee joints can cause lameness
  • Epilepsy – seizures can be controlled with medication
  • Hip dysplasia – Just like elbow dysplasia can cause arthritis

Caring The Pet

Feeding

bernedoodle dogs - caringSince the Bernedoodle comes in three different sizes, there will be three different feeding regimens. No matter the size of your dog, feed them quality food twice a day. The standard is a big dog and should be fed as such but the toy and mini will eat a lot less. You can pretty much feed a standard Bernedoodle the same thing you feed a Bernese Mountain Dog. The Bernedoodle is a picky eater and you may have to change up their food at times to keep them interested.

Health issues

Again, these are healthy dogs because the cross breed is so young. There are not a lot of genetic issues. As mentioned previously hip dysplasia, eye issues, elbow dysplasia and skin issues are possible.

Exercise and games

This is a calm, not over active dog. They do not share the high energy level of the poodle but rather carry the calm, gentle energy of the Bernese. The toy and mini varieties tend to have a faster motor than the standard. They need daily walks no matter what their size is. They will need your attention regularly.

Feeding the puppy

finnish spitz dogs - caringDon’t overfeed the little guy. The Spitz had a good appetite for a dog its size and can gain weight quickly . Feed twice a day about 1/8th of a cup.

Feeding the adult

The same advice hold for the adult dog. Feed 1/4th of a cub of high quality dry food twice a day.

Points for Good Health

When the Spitz is a puppy you should limit strenuous exercise and jumping. Don’t spay neuter at too young an age. Wait until they are mature at 3-5 years of age.

Games and Exercises

Again do not exercise vigorously at too young an age. When older the Finnish Spitz will need a yard to run in and exercise to satisfy his hunting instincts. A long walk every day is a must.

Comparison with other breeds

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  26. Bernedoodle vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Bernedoodle vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Bernedoodle vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Bernedoodle vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Bernedoodle vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Bernedoodle vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Bernedoodle vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Bernedoodle vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Bernedoodle vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Bernedoodle vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Bernedoodle vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Bernedoodle vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Bernedoodle vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Bernedoodle vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Bernedoodle vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Bernedoodle vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Bernedoodle vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Bernedoodle vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Bernedoodle vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Bernedoodle vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Bernedoodle vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Bernedoodle vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Bernedoodle vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Bernedoodle vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Bernedoodle vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison