STANDARD OF SUOMENPYSTYKORVA

CHARACTER. The breed of hunting dogs. Finnish spitz is very active, perceptive, closely attached to its owner, does not assured with strangers, cannot stand harsh behavior, careful, and a diligent hunter. These types of dogs tend to gallop which varies with trot.

FUR. The colour of the fur—all shadings of brown, the inner side of ears, eyelids, chest, belly, inner side of legs, thighs and the end of tail are of light brown colour. There are a few white spots on the neck, chest, legs and the end of the tail; there is also a white streak on the head, as well as several black hair on the back and lips. The light yellow colour is unwanted. The mirrow of the nose is black; if the fur is lightly brown—the nose is dark brown. The fur must be brushed daily.

HEIGHT. The high of this breed is not high (this type is the smallest hunting spitz), light constitution. Male’s height is around 42-50 cm, while a female is 38-46 cm. The height of a male around the loin is 1 cm smaller than around the withers—males (42-50 cm) and females (38-46 cm); female’s is the same. The physique index of a male is 100-102, a female’s—100-104. The skin is stiff, slim and elastic, without folds. The size of a male’s hand is 9-10 cm, while a female’s is 8-9 cm.

HEAD. The head is stiff, from the top it looks wedge-shaped, almost looks as the equilateral triangle. The cranium part of the brain is wide. The forehead is wide as well. The length of the scull is about the same as its width. The face is stiff, pointed, and shorter than the cranium part of the scull. The forehead is distinct. The top part of the face and forehead are parallel. Cheeks are prominent, especially males’. Lips are tight and adherent.

EYES. Eyes are medium large, oval, a bit sidelong, dark brown or brown. The glance is vivid and expressive.

TEETH. Teeth are white, strong and dense.

EARS. The ears are small, vertical, the form of a triangle, have pointy endings, and are alert.

NECK. The neck is muscular, oval, medium length; with the line of a back it composes a 45-50 degree angle.

BACK. The withers of a male is distinctly protuberant above the back. Waist is short and muscular. Loin is wide and short.

CHEST. Chest is wide, the form of an egg, and it reaches a dog’s elbows. Belly is indrawn.

LEGS. Front legs are muscular, thick, straight and parallel. Shoulders are oblique. Elbows face back. Paws are short, as far as tilting. Hind legs are also straight and parallel, the joint angles, if viewed from the side are bold. Paws are round, or with a longer middle finger. Fingers are close together or clenched.

TAIL. Tail is crooked as a ring on the top of the back or put to a tight. The full length of a tail reaches a dog’s elbow’s joint or is about 1 or 2 cm shorter.

FUR. The fur coat is rough and straight, while the undercoat is lush, dense, soft and much shorter. The head’s and ear’s hair is thick but short. On the withers the hair is longer, especially on males. Neck and shoulders hair is lush and long and is like a collar, and along with the cheek hairs- whiskers. The legs are hairy with short and coarse hair, while on the back side the hair is longer. The front legs are with short, on the back long noils, but without hang offs. The tail is covered with thick, coarse hair, on the bottom slightly longer but also without hang offs.

Weaknesses and defects: the height is not standard, the face is longer than general, the nose mirror, lips and eyelids are basically without pigments; ears are large and sessile; eyes are oval, hollow, small, white, yellow, green, grey, and different colour; invisible or too visible forehead; curved face; the neck is sloping or upright and flappy; withers is dim (males); weak back; long and prominent waist; narrow and prone loin; the chest is flat, round and does not reaches a dog’s elbows; belly is floppy and too indrawn; straight shoulders; slanted forearms; elbows are slanted inside or outside; hands are straight or too sloping; front legs are splay; joints of rear legs are recapitulative; paws are flat, oval, too long and not clenched; open fingers; the tail is too long; curly hair; the lack of underfur; small flappers on the tail and rear legs; Finnish spitz is related to Karelo Finnish laika. These hunting dogs are use to hunt birds and rabbits for years.