Finkies on the Brain  − 5 March, 2008

So I have Finkies on the brain again. “Finkie” is the “nickname” for Finnish Spitz – a small to medium sized breed of dog that look very much like a fox. I got my first Finkie a few years ago from a friend – she was the light of my life – just adorable. She got me invited to the Eukanuba National Championship for the first time, and I showed her there the last year it was held in Tampa, Florida.
Her name was Bell, and she made me fall in love with the breed. Finkies are a perfect breed for me – they are not big, but still sturdy at about 25 pounds. They are not a “table” breed (meaning they are not shown in the conformation ring up on a table) so it’s not a dog I have to worry about picking up to show, and as they are not big, I don’t have to run around the show ring, risking injury to myself.
They are a Spitz breed, so they have the characteristically “foxy” face and up-curled, bushy tail. They come in various shades of red and red-gold. Their coat does not shed but once a year, so no hair lying around the house like with my herding breeds, and it is plush – so soft to snuggle and cuddle with.
They are bright and merry and energetic. Some of them tend to be more independent, so I typically select personalities that are more “interactive” – temperaments that are sensitive to their people and willing to please. That makes them easier to train and live with I think.
They tend to be good family dogs and good pets – typically good with kids – not snappish or snotty as some Spitz breeds can be. They are clean and neat and tend to be a hardy lot – very few genetic health issues to worry about.
Probably the biggest “complaint” is that they can be very vocal. Not yappy barkers all the time, but they do “talk” – yodel, woo-woo, trill, woof – you name it. They tell you exactly how they are feeling. Bell would give me a whole long speech when I would get home in the evening – telling me about her long, boring day, entreating me to spoil her, scolding the other dogs… it was hilarious.
I have only contacted 2 breeders – I like both of their lines – and I am looking forward to bringing another Finkie into my home in the near future. I am so looking forward to working with her – showing her, training her and snuggling and cuddling. They are just the cutest little dog. They have the best “chocolate” eyes – soft and sweet and they just make you melt.
And I get the best end of the deal – I get to love, show and train and whelp a litter for my breeder (they can worry about placing the puppies) all the pleasure and all without the responsibility of worrying about placing the puppies or making the “wrong” breeding decision (two major reasons I am too chicken to breed a litter on my own).
Wish me luck!