Finnish Spitz make excellent pets for active families or individuals seeking a lively, affectionate, and intelligent companion. They are playful and good-natured, forming strong bonds with family members including children, though they prefer gentle play and may disengage if play becomes too rough.
Finnish Spitz are known for their distinctive and loud barking, originally bred as barking hunting dogs to alert hunters. They can bark up to 160 times per minute, making them effective watchdogs but potentially challenging for noise-sensitive homes or apartment living unless trained to manage their barking from an early age.
Finnish Spitz are medium-sized with a flame-coloured coat and very vocal, whereas Shiba Inu are smaller with various coat colours and less vocal. Finnish Spitz are generally easier to train, friendly, and moderately protective, while Shiba Inu tend to be more stubborn, more territorial, and better watchdogs. Finnish Spitz typically cost between £400-£560, while Shiba Inu are slightly more expensive.
Finnish Spitz can sometimes be challenging to train due to their independent nature and slow mental maturity, remaining puppy-like until around 3 to 4 years old. However, with consistent early socialisation, patience, and the right motivation, they are intelligent and eager learners who respond well to training, especially to control barking and social behaviour.