A friendly, good-natured, and intelligent breed are some of the ways you may describe the Finnish Spitz, and if you are considering getting one you’re in for a treat! With their playful personalities and beautiful looks, the Finnish Spitz will make an excellent family pet.
However, before you commit, it’s important to understand the costs associated with owning a Finnish Spitz. Below are all the costs you will need to consider when owning a Finnish Spitz, from the price of a puppy to veterinary care and grooming costs.
Finnish Spitz Cost Overview
Like any dog, a Finnish Spitz requires a financial commitment. The initial cost of owning a Finnish Spitz will include factors, such as; the cost of purchasing a puppy, veterinary care (puppy vaccinations and Spaying/ neutering), grooming, general supplies (food bowls, a bed/ crate, accessories, and toys), and food.
Depending on the age and behavior of the dog, you may also need to budget for training and other services. All things considered, you can expect to pay $800 – $1100 in the initial year.
The latter year’s cost will vary from the initial year’s and be dependent on factors such as the dog’s age, general health, pet insurance, the brand of dog food you choose, and any other needs they may have. This will be around $500 – $1000 per year.
Given the fact that this breed has an average lifespan of 13 – 15 years, the average lifetime cost of owning one would be around $11500
About the Finnish Spitz
Being the national dog of Finland, it is clear where the Finnish Spitz originated, the breed is intelligent, loyal, and an excellent companion. Some earlier names that were used for the breed were Suomenpystykorva meaning Finnish Cock-eared Dog and Finnish Barking Bird Dog.
They are very well-known for being hunting dogs, hunting games such as rabbits and squirrels, as well as their ability to retrieve the prey by running it down.
The Finnish Spitz is an active breed that loves exercise and playtime and will need 20 – 40 minutes of play per day, so if you are looking for a playful playmate, this is the perfect dog for you! They can also be trained to do agility and obedience courses.
Before the breed was officially recognized, it was called the “Finnish white terrier.” They were originally bred as working dogs and were seen as an essential part of the Finnish family and farmer’s lifestyle. The Finnish spitz has also been used as a military dog and guide dog for the blind.
The Finnish spitz breed is now recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC describes Finnish Spitz dogs as “friendly, alert, and active, with a keen intelligence and an eagerness to please.”
They’re excellent watchdogs that love to bark, they have a loud bark and will bark at anything and everything so if your household can’t tolerate noise, you may want to reconsider.
Appearance
The Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog. They have a pointed muzzle, a square body, small erect ears, a fluffy curled tail, and a double coat: a dense undercoat covered by a harsh straight outer coat that is usually either golden-red or honey-colored.
As you can imagine this thick coat makes them favorable to colder climates it also however means they are prone to shedding and will require regular grooming.
These fox-like dogs weigh between 30 – 35 pounds and reach a height of 15 – 20 inches.
Health
The Finnish Spitz is generally quite a healthy breed in comparison to other dog breeds due to good and thoughtful breeding, though there are some conditions that you should keep a look out for:
Diabetes
Canine diabetes is when your dog either has a lack of insulin in their body or in some cases it is an inadequate biological response to it.
Hypothyroidism
This is a common hormone imbalance seen in dogs and it is usually due to inflammation or shrinking of the thyroid gland.
Hip and elbow dysplasia
A deformity in the hip/ elbow during growth.
Pemphigus foliaceous
This is a rare autoimmune skin disease that is often observed in middle-aged dogs and presents as blistering and pustules on the face, nose, and skin.
Epilepsy
One of the less prevalent health problems seen in other breeds, but is more common among the Finnish Spitzs is epilepsy, this is caused by an abnormality of the brain and results in the dog having recurrent, unprovoked seizures.
Factors affecting the cost of a Finnish Spitz
Breeder and lineage
Finnish Spitz puppies will vary in cost depending on the breeder you are purchasing from and the dog’s lineage. Generally, the price of a Finnish Spitz puppy can range from about $800 to $2,500.
When choosing a breeder, it’s important to purchase from responsible breeders with a good reputation and reviews. You should also ask questions such as the puppy’s parent’s background, and health issues in the bloodline, and have the puppies had a health screening, to ensure that the puppy is healthy and has been well cared for. If the puppy is very cheap be cautious as this could indicate problems.
Finnish Spitz Colors and Coat Patterns
Finnish Spitzes come in a variety of colors and coat patterns. The most common colors are red and tan, but they can also come in black, white, gray, and sable. The coat pattern can be either a solid color or a mixture of colors, though this is less common and could cost you more.
Other factors
Other factors that affect the price are your location, gender, pedigree, and age of the puppy. Female dogs generally cost more than a male as they can be used for breeding. If the dog comes from a good bloodline and is registered with papers it will cost more than one that is not registered.
The age of the puppy also plays a part as an adult dog will cost a lot less than a puppy, you can also adopt one from a shelter which will mean you only have to pay for adoption fees which are normally significantly less than that of a reputable breeder.
When adopting a rescue dog, it’s still important to make sure that the dog is healthy and has been well-cared for. It’s also important to make sure that the rescue organization is reputable and has a good reputation.
Lifetime costs of a Finnish Spitz
Feeding costs
Regarding diet and nutrition, it’s important to feed your Finnish Spitz a balanced diet. This means providing them with the best dog food that is appropriate for their age and activity level. It’s also important to provide your dog with plenty of fresh and clean water every day.
You can choose to feed your Finnish Spitz either wet food, kibble, freeze-dried food, or homemade food, whichever you choose, just make sure that they are provided with all the right supplements and multivitamins they need. Try to avoid feeding your Finnish Spitz human foods such as sugar, wheat, and corn as this often causes the dog to become overweight and may cause other health issues.
Finnish Spitz puppies require around 1300 Kcals per day (puppy food) from four months of age divided into several meals per day as listed below. Puppies from four months to 12 months will only require 867 Kcals each day.
- Between the age of 8 and 12 weeks, your Finnish Spitz puppy will require four bowls of food per day.
- Puppies aged 3 – 6 months will need 3 meals per day.
- From 6 months to 1 year, you can reduce to feeding 2 meals per day.
Adult Finnish Spitzs frequently prefer two smaller meals. Though one meal a day can also be done, you can adjust the feeding of your Finnish Spitz as needed, provided they get the required daily amount of food. For a full-grown Finnish spitz, high-quality dry dog food can be blended with canned food, or broth to give a well-rounded diet. The cost of feeding a Finnish spitz will be between $34 – $45 per month and on average $475 per year.
Medical costs
Vaccinations are an important part of owning a Finnish Spitz. All puppies should be vaccinated against common canine diseases, such as rabies, distemper, and parvovirus. The cost of initial vaccinations is around is between $75 and $100 each with rabies being around $20. Your veterinarian will be able to provide more information about the vaccines that are recommended for your dog.
It’s also important to provide your Finnish Spitz with routine veterinary care. This includes regular check-ups, dental care, and parasite prevention. Depending on your dog’s age and health, your veterinarian may also recommend additional treatments, such as vaccinations and heartworm prevention. Investing in pet insurance can help alleviate some of the medical costs you may incur and enable you to ensure your pet gets the best care. Routine checkups can cost between $50 – $250 the range being quite large as prices will differ depending on where you live and what treatment is received.
Training costs
Finnish Spitzes are active and playful dogs that require regular exercise. They need a daily walk and plenty of playtimes. Providing your Finnish Spitz with the right training is essential, this includes basic commands, such as sit, stay, and come.
It’s also important to provide your dog with early socialization to help them get used to interacting with other pets and people.
Investing in a professional trainer, who can help you train your dog and provide tips and advice would help benefit you and your dog in the long run as they can also help you with any behavioral issues that may arise.
Training can cost between $30 – $50 per group session. Private training will cost you more, due to them being one-on-one sessions which are usually between $45 – $120. Puppy training with boarding can cost up to $2000.
Grooming
Finnish Spitzes have a dense double coat so something that these dogs need a lot of is grooming! Grooming supplies you will need to invest in are a brush, comb and shampoo, and nail trimmers.
Please keep in mind that you should never shave your Finnish Spitz as their double coat helps to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer as well as protect them from being bitten by bugs and getting sunburned. Using a slick brush daily will help keep shedding under control in the shedding season.
Aside from the daily brushing, they will also need bathing and nail trimming now and then. The total cost of basic grooming is between $80 – $100.
Conclusion
If you’re considering getting a Finnish Spitz, it’s important to understand the costs associated with owning one. The cost of owning a Finnish Spitz can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the age and condition of the dog. It’s also important to factor in the cost of supplies, veterinary care, grooming, and food.
Finnish Spitzes make good family dogs, they’re loyal, friendly, playful, and intelligent dogs. They’re also an active breed that needs plenty of exercise and playtime.
When it comes to getting a Finnish Spitz, it’s important to do your research. Make sure to choose a reputable breeder, and ask questions to ensure that the puppy is healthy and has been well-cared for. You may also want to consider rescue and adoption, as many rescue organizations specialize in Finnish Spitzes.
No matter which route you choose, owning a Finnish Spitz is a rewarding experience.
In summary, the initial year’s cost will be between $800 – $1100. Thereafter decreasing to around $500 to $1000 per year depending on various factors stated above. Bringing the total lifetime cost of owning a Finnish spitz to an average of $11500.
