Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison

Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Finnish Spitz - Breed ComparisonSmooth Haired Weimaraner is originated from Germany but Finnish Spitz is originated from Finland. Smooth Haired Weimaraner may grow 20 cm / 8 inches higher than Finnish Spitz. Smooth Haired Weimaraner may weigh 25 kg / 56 pounds more than Finnish Spitz. Smooth Haired Weimaraner may live 3 years more than Finnish Spitz. Both Smooth Haired Weimaraner and Finnish Spitz has almost same litter size. Smooth Haired Weimaraner requires Low maintenance. But Finnish Spitz requires Moderate maintenance

History

smooth haired weimaraner - historyThe Smooth Haired Weimaraner is a beautiful silvery-grey dog that was once bred for hunting way back in the 19th century.

He has always been described as an all-purpose gun dog bred from crossing different German and French hunting dogs with the Bloodhound.

History of this dog dates back to 1897. This is when a club was formed in Germany for the breed.

finnish spitz - historyThe “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.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
Germany
Finland
Height Male:
57 - 70 cm
22 - 28 inches
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
Height Female:
57 - 70 cm
22 - 28 inches
39 - 45 cm
15 - 18 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 40 kg
55 - 89 pounds
12 - 15 kg
26 - 34 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 40 kg
55 - 89 pounds
10 - 13 kg
22 - 29 pounds
Life Span:
11 - 14 Years
9 - 11 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
3 - 6
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Weim, Grey Ghost
Finnish Hunting Dog Finnish Spets Finsk Spets Loulou Finois Suomalainen pystykorva Suomenpystykorva
Colors Available:
Silvery Grey
golden-red with variations from pale honey to dark chestnut
Coat:
Short, sleek and smooth
double
Shedding:
Minimal
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Alert, Cheerful, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

smooth haired weimaraner puppy - descriptionThe lean, well muscled Smooth Haired Weimaraner is athletic to look at, brimming with energy and vitality. The coat is smooth and short and is a magnificent steel grey to silver coat which even tends to be a blue-grey color.

The short coat makes the dog low maintenance. He is also a low shedding dog. He is a medium to large sized dog standing at between 57 and 70cm in height and weighing in the region of 25 to 40kg.

The tail has always been docked, giving him that distinctive, dignified appearance. The tail then measures about 6 inches in length.

These dogs are also excellent water dogs with their webbed paws. The ears of the dog are medium length and floppy and the eyes are light amber or a blue-grey color.

Temperament:

You just have to look at the Smooth Haired Weimaraner and you can see how he just loves being with his human owner all the time, so much so that he is known for separation anxiety. Sometimes he can become so distraught separated from his owner that he can even injure himself trying to reach his owner. Being separated for too long can cause him anxiety issues.

Certainly this dog is going to need the right kind of training and socialization to calm him. They’re also full of energy too and are going to require a good amount of exercise.

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

smooth haired weimaraner dog - characteristicsYour distinctive silvery-grey Weimaraner with his velvety ears and striking eyes is such a loving dog, desiring to be with his human family as much as possible.

They are also good with children. Their loving nature and eagerness to please will ensure that you have a fully integrated 4 legged family member in your home who wants to be involved with everything you're busy with.

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

smooth haired weimaraner puppies - health problemsThere are some common dog illnesses that most dog owners fear, and hip dysplasia is one. Fortunately the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals tells us that Weimaraners aren’t prone to this dysplasia the way some dogs are.

One cause for concern however is bloat, and as a deep chested dog breed, the Short Haired Weimaraner can be prone to this life threatening illness.

Known also as gastric torsion, the stomach swells up and the dog becomes lethargic and restless. Immediate veterinary intervention is required. One way to diminish your dog’s chances of getting bloat is to rather feed him two smaller meals a day as opposed to one large meal.

Also, skin allergies are fairly common with these dogs. If redness appears on the skin or the skin is dry and itchy with a rash and he is losing his hair, you may well need to get your pet to the vet. It is why we always recommend giving your pet some raw meat added to the diet and this can help to prevent skin allergies.

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

Training:

smooth haired weimaraner dogs - caringEvery dog, especially the Smooth Haired Weimaraner with his anxiety issues, should be trained and socialized, and these dogs are easy to train because they’re intelligent and they want to please.

Grooming:

The short silvery coat simply requires a good brush-down twice a week to remove the few loose hairs there are. Even if you don’t need to brush him, just do it because of the type of dog the Weimaraner is.

He loves the closeness of owner and dog. It’s a good time to check him over for ticks and fleas, to feel for unusual lumps, to look inside his ears for signs of infection, to check his eyes too, that they’re bright and clear.

Diet:

If you feed your Smooth Haired Weimaraner commercially manufactured dog food, it needs to be one of the best ones with fairly high protein content. If feeding kibble, you can enhance the food by adding in some tasty home-made food. The Weimaraner’s stomach is easily upset so you want to add in easily digestible home-made food free of exotic spices and richness.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots is super tasty and nutritious. Your Weimaraner will love such simple, good food and you can add a little to his dry kibble twice a week.

Also important is to add in some raw meat as this ensures a healthy skin. Make sure he has a constant supply of cool, fresh water.

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

  1. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  2. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs German Shorthaired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  3. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Irish Setter - Breed Comparison
  4. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Bracco Italiano - Breed Comparison
  5. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Portuguese Pointer - Breed Comparison
  6. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Perdiguero de Burgos - Breed Comparison
  7. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Irish Red and White Setter - Breed Comparison
  8. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Pachon Navarro - Breed Comparison
  9. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Grand Gascon Saintongeois - Breed Comparison
  10. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer - Breed Comparison
  11. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Slovensky Hrubosrsty Stavac - Breed Comparison
  12. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Longhaired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  13. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Braque Francais (Gascogne Type) - Breed Comparison
  14. Spanish Pointer vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  15. Spinone Italiano vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  16. Talbot vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  17. Vikhan Sheepdog vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  18. Weimaraner vs Smooth Haired Weimaraner - Breed Comparison
  19. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  20. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  21. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  22. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  23. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  24. Smooth Haired Weimaraner vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  25. French Spaniel vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  26. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  27. Finnish Spitz vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  28. Finnish Spitz vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  29. Finnish Spitz vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  30. Finnish Spitz vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  31. Finnish Spitz vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  32. Finnish Spitz vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  33. Finnish Spitz vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  34. Finnish Spitz vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  35. Finnish Spitz vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  36. Finnish Spitz vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  37. Finnish Spitz vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  38. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  39. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  40. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  41. Shikoku vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  42. Slovakian Hound vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  43. Small Munsterlander vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  44. Sussex Spaniel vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  45. Kooikerhondje vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  46. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  47. West Siberian Laika vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  48. Wetterhoun vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  49. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds