MyDogBreeds
Fox Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but Finnish Spitz is originated from Finland. Fox Terrier may grow 11 cm / 4 inches shorter than Finnish Spitz. Fox Terrier may weigh 6 kg / 13 pounds lesser than Finnish Spitz. Fox Terrier may live 4 years more than Finnish Spitz. Both Fox Terrier and Finnish Spitz has same litter size. Fox Terrier requires Low maintenance. But Finnish Spitz requires Moderate maintenance
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier and the Smooth Fox Terrier were for over 100 years the same breed of dog. Now it is believed that they are two separate breeds with two separate ancestry. It is an English creation with Dachshunds, Fox Hound, English Hounds, and Beagle in their background. It is also believed that the Wales, Durham and Derbyshire extinct rough-coated black and tan working terrier. The white terrier breeds that exist today are related to the Fox Terrier. In addition, it is recognized that terrier breeds of today such as the Jack Russel, the Rat Terrier, and the Miniature Fox Terrier are descendants of the Fox Terrier.
They are one of the oldest of the terrier breeds dating back to the 17tth century in the British Isles. They were primarily farm dogs guarding against the fox and vermin. Like any terrier they go to ground – digging, growling, barking and lunging at the den until the animal comes out and the farmer killed it. The breed was made popular in England through their living with royalty. The Nots Kennel had a lot to do with this as well. King Edward VII’ Wire Fox Terrier came from the Notts Kennel. The Best Champion of Crufts in 1911 was a Wire Fox Terrier, and Queen Victoria had one as well. The Wire Fox Terrier finally became a family dog in the 1930’s. During this time there were feature movies and comic strips that feature a Wire Fox Terrier, such as The Thin Man and The Adventures of Tintin.
The late 1900’s saw the population moving off the farms, out of the country and into the cities. This caused a decline in the popularity of the breed. Keeping terriers born to hunt in the city proved a challenge in the beginning. Their popularity is influenced as well by the breeds success in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York – second only to the Crufts Dog Show in England. Adding to their early success at Crufts, the Wirehaired Fox Terrier breed has won more Westminster Best in Show than any other with 14. Only five dogs have won at Westminster more than once and one of those is a Wirehaired Fox Terrier. A Smooth Fox Terrier won it three times.
The “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.
The Wirehaired Fox terrier is a sturdy dog with features quite similar to the Smooth Fox Terrier. It is symmetrical with a short back, round, dark eyes, a body that is shorter and ears that are v-shaped. He is medium sized with a flat skull that narrows as it approaches the nose. The nose is black, and the muzzle also tapers to it. The breed has a high, docked tail outside the United Kingdom. The tail is natural in the United Kingdom. They don’t have a broad or narrow chest, but it is deep. Laid back shoulders and a short back are signs of good breeding. Their legs are strong, and their feet have tough, cushioned pads.
The 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.
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier is good with children but if teased and frustrated he could bite. Children should know how to play with them and not to tease them.
He is great at performing tricks, tracking, agility, watch dog, competitive hunting or field trials.
The Wirehaired Fox Terrier is quite adaptable and can live anywhere. He is not a big dog but remember he is very high energy.
The breed is very smart but being independent thinkers, they can be difficult to train at times. Consistency and patience are needed when training the Wirehaired Fox Terrier. They get bored easily and if training sessions are not fun you will lose them. This is a breed that loves people but need constant supervision and companionship.
Very child friendly – loves to play with children as long as the children pay attention to them. If not, the Spitz will go elsewhere.
They are independent thinkers and close to family but not strangers. They often “yodel” instead of howl.
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.
They are smart and learn easily. They are great athletes and learn games and competition well.
This is basically a healthy breed, but there are some potential issues that could arise:
This is possible in white terriers
Typically, a somewhat healthy breed, the Finnish Spitz does struggle with a few genetic concerns. They have been known to suffer from:
Give them two meals maybe three per day. Total food per day divided into the number of meals is 1/8-1/4 cup day.
Once again feed one-two meals per day and don’t overfeed. Total of ½ cup day
Being a terrier, the Wirehaired Fox Terrier needs a lot of exercise. He is energetic and playful. He loves to play ball, take interesting walks, and play in fenced areas. He needs to be in either a fenced area or on a leash as he will chase any small animal that he sees moving. But if you leave him unsupervised in a fenced area, don’t forget he is a terrier. He is likely to dig under or climb over a fence that isn’t entirely secure.
He loves earth dog trials, agility, tracking, hunting, flyball, and running. He hardly ever walks. He can play ball chasing for hours if you let him. Exercise is bonding for you and your Wirehaired Fox Terrier.
Don’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.
The same advice hold for the adult dog. Feed 1/4th of a cub of high quality dry food twice a day.
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.
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.