Spinone Italiano vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison

Spinone Italiano vs Finnish Spitz - Breed ComparisonFinnish Spitz is originated from Finland but Spinone Italiano is originated from Italy. Finnish Spitz may grow 20 cm / 7 inches shorter than Spinone Italiano. Finnish Spitz may weigh 24 kg / 52 pounds lesser than Spinone Italiano. Both Finnish Spitz and Spinone Italiano has almost same life span. Finnish Spitz may have less litter size than Spinone Italiano. Both Finnish Spitz and Spinone Italiano requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Gun dog
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Finland
Italy
Height Male:
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
60 - 70 cm
23 - 28 inches
Height Female:
39 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
12 - 15 kg
26 - 34 pounds
34 - 39 kg
74 - 86 pounds
Weight Female:
10 - 13 kg
22 - 29 pounds
32 - 37 kg
70 - 82 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 11 Years
8 - 9 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 6
4 - 11
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Finnish Hunting Dog Finnish Spets Finsk Spets Loulou Finois Suomalainen pystykorva Suomenpystykorva
Spinone Italian Spinone Italian Griffon Italian Wire-haired Pointer Italian Coarsehaired Pointer
Colors Available:
golden-red with variations from pale honey to dark chestnut
white with orange markings, white with brown markings, and brown roan with or without brown markings , orange roan with or without orange markings, solid white
Coat:
double
tough, slightly wiry, and close fitting. rough
Shedding:
Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Cheerful, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal
Affectionate, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

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.

spinone italianoThis Italian breed has an ancient blood line tracing all the back to 500 BC. Originally bred to hunt, he is today a friendly, alert and loyal companion. He is intelligent enough to do any job you give him. The Spinone is thought to be one of the oldest gun dogs ever, but it is not entirely clear that he came from Italy. There are some who think he may have come from somewhere in these European countries – Italy, Greece, France, Celtic Ireland, Spain or Russia. However, most believe the breed came from Italy in the Piedmont area.

The most common thinking is that he is a descendent of the Spanish Pointer and/or the Russian Setter. One other theory is that setters from Greece were brought to the Roman Empire and crossed with a variety of Italian dog to make the coarse haired Spinone we see today. Then the French put in their claim that the breed is a cross of many French pointers.

The theory that counts might just belong to the Italians who believe the ancestor to the Spinone includes the German Wirehaired Pointer, the Pudelpointer and the Wirehaired Pointer. It was not until the 19th century that the name Spinone was officially given to the breed.

Before that it might have been known as a Spinoso and named after a thorn bus in Italy called the Spino. This bush was so thick and sharp that small prey animals learned to hide under it because the predators could not get through it. The Spinone however was able to fight through the briars with its thick, coarse hair and tough skin.

The breed almost became extinct during the second world war as before and after the hunters in Italy had started to use other breeds for hunting. Breeders also began to cross the Spinone with wire hairs like German Wirehaired Pointer, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and the Boulet.

The most popular hunting dog in Italy today is the Bracco Italiano while the Spinone is still used for hunting.

Description

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.

spinone italiano puppy - descriptionThe breed is made up of strong, solid and muscled dogs that have an almost square build. His legs are made to travel any terrain and his head is long with an occipital that is pronounced and unique to the Spinone. They are said to have “human appearing eyes”, with a docked tail in countries allowing it and webbed paws.

Shorter hair covers their feet, head, legs, muzzle and ears. They have longer hair on their eyebrows and it is stiff, with soft hair on the muzzle and cheeks with a beard and mustache. It is a single coated dog though the coat is rough. They should have skin, lips, nose, and pads in colors that coordinate with their coats. For white dog it is a red-orange color, brown in dogs that are roan colored and dark red-orange in the orange and white colored dog.

Characteristics

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.

1.Children friendliness – yes they live kids.

2.Special talents – Digging and running.

spinone italiano dog - characteristics3.Adaptability – Young dogs need a lot of attention but they don’t need a lot of space. The young dogs are energetic while the adult dogs are laid-back. They need exercise every day and at least a small back yard.

4.Learning ability – good/stubborn/intelligent.

Health Problems

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

spinone italiano puppies - health problemsThis is an ancient breed with not a lot of documented genetic issues, but it does have one deadly condition.

• Cerebellar ataxia (CA) is inherited and hits the puppies. Because it is a recessive gene both the mother and father must carry it for the puppy to inherit it. This makes it less likely than it would be otherwise. Puppies with the condition do not live more than a year. Since it is a genetic problem there is now a test for it that identifies carriers at a 95% accuracy rate.

• Like many other large breed dogs, they are susceptible to hip dysplasia. This can cause arthritis and/or lameness. There are now hip replacement surgeries available for this condition.

• Bloat is again common in large dogs and you need to watch for it with the Spinone. It can be deadly if not treated immediately. Let your dog rest quietly after eating. Do not let her exercise or play energetically after eating.

Caring The Pet

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.

spinone italiano dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy – feed a high quality dog food for puppies of large breeds. Feed 3-4x day but don’t overfeed or let him exercise after eating even as a puppy.

2.Feeding the adult - feed a high quality dog food for large breeds. Feed 1-2X day but don’t overfeed or let him exercise after eating.

3.Points for Good Health – Active and strong

4. Games and Exercises – The Spinone is an active breed, but not a fast dog. In fact, they like to travel at a trot so it becomes a great dog for jogging or running with. They love to jump, track, hunt, hike. They do well with agility, retrieving, flyball, carting, being a therapy dog, a rescue dog and a watchdog.

Comparison with other breeds

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