Finnish Spitz History
The Finnish Spitz is considered an ancient breed which can be traced back almost as far as Tomarctus. Between 60 and 120 million years ago Creodonts emerged. Some of these mammals developed flesh tearing teeth called carnassials about 50 million years ago. In the following 10 million years Miacis evolved, an ancient ancestor in the Miacidae family of meat eaters including what we now know as dogs, cats, bears, weasels, racoons, civets, and hyenas.
Through more evolutionary refinement and divergence of species in this family Crynodictus emerged with tooth count the same as todays wolves, moderate length legs and much smaller than todays wolves. Over the ensuing 15 million years a more rapid evolution took place with more species divergence. Crynodictis was followed by Cryodesmus, then Tomarctus, and finally to Canidae, the modern day dog family. From Tomarctus the wolf and fox emerged and developed separately.
Several sub-species of dogs evolved from Tomarctus, including Canis Familiarus Intermedius which split into two more groups, one of which is the Spitz type dogs. No one has more than educated guesses as to why dogs and humans became companions though it isn't hard to surmise that as hunters, they created a symbiotic relationship that benefited both in food gathering and protection. The Suomenpystykorva, or Finnish prick-eared dog became known as the Barking Bird Dog and now is simply the Finnish Spitz. He is sometimes referred to as a Finkie by humans loyal to the breed, a term coined by Lady Kitty Ritson when she became involved with the breed in the early 20th century.
Over time, the Finnish Spitz evolved and adapted as hunting partners and companions with theFinn0-Ugrian people, and to a highly valued multi-purpose dog. They offered a dependable alert system with their alert hearing and warning barks. They became invaluable hunting partners with an innate sense of how he could best assist the hunter bag his quarry. The Finnish Spitz has the versatility and skill to hunt squirrel, Black Grouse, Capercaille (like a Wild Turkey), Bear, Wild Boar and Elk. And he has proved himself to be a trusted companion, sharing the fire and remaining aware while his Master and family slept.
The Finno-Ugrian people traveled from what is now Central Russia to where they finally settled with their faithful canine partners in the far northern reaches of Europe; specifically in the deep virgin woods of what is now known as Finland. The dogs continued to evolve into superior and versatile hunting companions. Their thick double coats were colored perfectly for their task of deep woods hunting while protcting them from the often harsh extremes of winter. Their size, senses of sight and hearing and rich ringing bark that calls the hunter to the game helped them develop for this task.
The isolation of the Finnish Spitz and their owners not only helped them evolve but kept them pure of breed. At least this is true until the mid nineteenth century. Many who explored into their wilderness home had never seen such a dog before. One such explorer was French Explorer De La Martiniere who described in the 1870's having seen "deep red dogs" during his travels as far north as the Muurmanni coast.
As civilization grew and human settlements became more populated more and more dogs were interbred. The breed was disappearing, rapidly. All that remained were in the most isolated areas where they remained pure. In about the late 1880's Sportsman Hugo Roos, and Forest Officer Hugo Sandberg both came to the conclusion that the breed must be saved from extinction.
Mr. Sandberg wrote an article clearly describing the dog and his conformation, hunting abilities and temperament. In his article he implored for the saving of this breed. His description was adopted and the breed was taken in to the Finnish Kennel Club. Mr. Roos became involved in much of the early breeding.
Since returning from near extinction the Finnish Spitz has remained a healthy dog breed with a following that spans the globe. The breed has been introduced and found home in not only Finland, but other Scandinavian countries like Holland and Sweden. They have been introduced into the U.K., Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the U.S..
The long and storied history of the Finnish Spitz has not ended.
Through more evolutionary refinement and divergence of species in this family Crynodictus emerged with tooth count the same as todays wolves, moderate length legs and much smaller than todays wolves. Over the ensuing 15 million years a more rapid evolution took place with more species divergence. Crynodictis was followed by Cryodesmus, then Tomarctus, and finally to Canidae, the modern day dog family. From Tomarctus the wolf and fox emerged and developed separately.
Several sub-species of dogs evolved from Tomarctus, including Canis Familiarus Intermedius which split into two more groups, one of which is the Spitz type dogs. No one has more than educated guesses as to why dogs and humans became companions though it isn't hard to surmise that as hunters, they created a symbiotic relationship that benefited both in food gathering and protection. The Suomenpystykorva, or Finnish prick-eared dog became known as the Barking Bird Dog and now is simply the Finnish Spitz. He is sometimes referred to as a Finkie by humans loyal to the breed, a term coined by Lady Kitty Ritson when she became involved with the breed in the early 20th century.
Over time, the Finnish Spitz evolved and adapted as hunting partners and companions with theFinn0-Ugrian people, and to a highly valued multi-purpose dog. They offered a dependable alert system with their alert hearing and warning barks. They became invaluable hunting partners with an innate sense of how he could best assist the hunter bag his quarry. The Finnish Spitz has the versatility and skill to hunt squirrel, Black Grouse, Capercaille (like a Wild Turkey), Bear, Wild Boar and Elk. And he has proved himself to be a trusted companion, sharing the fire and remaining aware while his Master and family slept.
The Finno-Ugrian people traveled from what is now Central Russia to where they finally settled with their faithful canine partners in the far northern reaches of Europe; specifically in the deep virgin woods of what is now known as Finland. The dogs continued to evolve into superior and versatile hunting companions. Their thick double coats were colored perfectly for their task of deep woods hunting while protcting them from the often harsh extremes of winter. Their size, senses of sight and hearing and rich ringing bark that calls the hunter to the game helped them develop for this task.
The isolation of the Finnish Spitz and their owners not only helped them evolve but kept them pure of breed. At least this is true until the mid nineteenth century. Many who explored into their wilderness home had never seen such a dog before. One such explorer was French Explorer De La Martiniere who described in the 1870's having seen "deep red dogs" during his travels as far north as the Muurmanni coast.
As civilization grew and human settlements became more populated more and more dogs were interbred. The breed was disappearing, rapidly. All that remained were in the most isolated areas where they remained pure. In about the late 1880's Sportsman Hugo Roos, and Forest Officer Hugo Sandberg both came to the conclusion that the breed must be saved from extinction.
Mr. Sandberg wrote an article clearly describing the dog and his conformation, hunting abilities and temperament. In his article he implored for the saving of this breed. His description was adopted and the breed was taken in to the Finnish Kennel Club. Mr. Roos became involved in much of the early breeding.
Since returning from near extinction the Finnish Spitz has remained a healthy dog breed with a following that spans the globe. The breed has been introduced and found home in not only Finland, but other Scandinavian countries like Holland and Sweden. They have been introduced into the U.K., Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the U.S..
The long and storied history of the Finnish Spitz has not ended.