AKA: Suomenpystykorva, Finsk Spets, Loulou Finnoi

Description: The Finnish Spitz looks like a fox, with its pointed muzzle and perked ears. The ears are set high on its head, pointed and openly facing forward. The breed also has a black nose, black lips, and dark almond-shaped eyes. The jaws meet in a scissors bite.

The Finnish Spitz’ body is squarely proportional and has a thick coat, with medium-length hair that makes the breed look a little puffy and feathery. The chest is deep and the tail is carried curled on it back.

Dynamics: The Finnish Spitz is a lively breed with a friendly temperament. It is playful and seeks constant attention and affection. It is also brave and protective of its family. It gets along well with the other family members and the children. It can have problems with other dogs, though, and will try to dominate them. It can also be cautious and reserved with strangers.

The Finnish Spitz can be willful. It is loyal to its owner but may question its owners orders sometimes. Training it requires patience and consistency. The Finnish Spitz is also known for its bark; it is known as the “barking bird dog” in Finland.

Breed Group: Hounds, Northern, Non-sporting

Weight: 31-35 pounds (14-16 kg)

Height: 15-20 inches (38-51 cm)

Color: The Finnish Spitz pup comes out in a dark grey, black, brown, or fawn color. As it grows the coat lightens and becomes either a golder red or a yellowish-red. The shade can range from a pale honey to a dark chestnut. Small white markings is allowed.

Country of Origin: The Finnish Spitz was brought from Central Russia to Finland, where it was bred and popularized. It is the national dog of Finland.

Activities: The Finnish Spitz needs plenty of exercise to accommodate its huge amount of stamina. It makes a good watchdog and guard dog, can be used in hunting, and is a great family companion.

Grooming: The Finnish Spitz has a self-cleaning coat so it will be enough to groom it with just regular brushing and combing.

Other Info: The Finnish Spitz has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. It is a healthy breed. Common dog breed health issues like hip dysplasia and PRA are not common for this breed. The Finnish Spitz can live in the city and in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised. It prefers cool climates.

Photo: Sannse

AKA: Suomenajokoira, Finsk Stovare

Description: The Finnish Hound is a medium-sized dog with a body that is longer than its height. Its coat is short and rough to the touch. The body frame is rectangular and sleek, with a good bone structure. The eyes are almond-shaped and the nose is black. The ears are long and pendant, hanging down. The jaws form a scissors bite. The tail is held hanging down most of the time.

Dynamics: The Finnish Hound is a friendly and mild-mannered breed. It has a calm disposition and has a gentle temperament. It is never aggressive, but it is active and energetic when hunting. It is a versatile tracker and is very passionate about hunting.

Breed Group: Hound

Weight: 45-55 pounds (20-25 kg)

Height: 20-24 inches (52-61 cm)

Color: The Finnish Hound comes in tan with black saddle, and with small white markings on the head, chest, feet, and tail tip.

Country of Origin: The Finnish Hound comes from Finland, where it was the result of a breeding program in the 1800s involving French, German, and Swedish hounds. It is Finland’s most popular native working breed.

Activities: The Finnish Hound has a lot of stamina in it. It is a hunting dog that requires a lot of exercise and plenty opportunity to run around.

Grooming: The short and smooth coat of the Finnish Hound is easy to groom. Brushing occasionally is enough. Bathe only when necessary. Keep the nails trimmed.

Other Info: The Finnish Hound has a life expectancy of 12 years, on the average. It is not recommended for the city life or apartment life.

AKA: Swedish Dachsbracke

Description: The Drever’s body is large, the same size as with most hunting breeds. But it has short legs, which make them look smaller. The legs are straight and not bent, different from those of a Dachshund. It has a large, proportional head, with a black nose, tight lips, and ears that hang down. It carries its tail in a downward curve.

Dynamics: The Drever has a friendly temperament, but it can be stubborn and tenacious. There may be times when it will go against its human companion and wok longer than necessary for its own satisfaction. It is a calm breed, neither nervous nor aggressive. This breed is a low but steady worker, brave and courageous, hunting carefully with its sharp nose and furious bark.

Breed Group: Hound

Weight: 32-34 pounds (14-16 kg.)

Height: 11-16 inches (28-40 cm.)

Color: The coat colors of the Drever include fawn, black, and black and tan. There are always white markings on the face, feet, neck, chest, and on the tip of the tail.

Country of Origin: The Drever was bred from the Weshpalian Dachsbracke and local hounds in Sweden, where it is popular and is a hunter’s most popular companion. It was officially named in 1947.

Activities: The Drever is a very active dog. A daily walk or play sessions is needed for this breed.

Grooming: Regularly wiping the coat with a damp cloth will be enough in grooming the Drever. It is an average shedder.

Other Info: The Drever has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. It will do well living in an apartment as long as it can be taken outdoors from time to time.

AKA: Chien d’Artois, Artois Hound, Picard

Description: The Briquet is a moderate-sized dog that has a compact and muscular body. It has a black nose, round and dark brown eyes. It has thick lips and its jaws form a scissors bite. It has a broad back and a tail that it carries in a sickle fashion. The tail has slightly offstanding hairs towards the tip.

Dynamics: The Briquet is a brave dog that is full of energy and endurance. It has a calm and pleasant temperament, affectionate and sweet to people its family. The Briquet has an excellent sense of smell. It was bred as a hunting dog and is exceptional in hunting rabbits. It is fast, agile, and independent. Training this breed has to be firm and consistent.

Breed Group: Scent Hound

Weight: 55-65 lbs

Height: 22-23 inches

Color: The Briquet’s coat is a dark fawn tricolor. Its main combination of colors is tan and black and white.

Country of Origin: The Briquet, more popularly known as the Artois Hound, came from France, where it was already popular with prominent people like Louis XIII.

Grooming: Grooming the Briquet does not require any special attention. Brushing it regularly is enough. Bathe only when necessary. Wiping it with a damp cloth is a good alternative to bathing it.

Activities: The Briquet is a highly active dog and needs to be sufficiently exercise to avoid behavioral problems. It needs to be taken outdoors from time to time and given its own space. This breed is widely used in hunting, where it displays its excellent abilities in tracking and hunting down prey.

Other Info: The Briquet has a life expectancy of 13 years. It is a generally healthy breed. While this breed will do well in an apartment, it prefers to have a small yard or area where it can run around and exhaust its energy.

AKA: Bluetick

Description: The Bluetick Coonhound is an average-sized dog with an extremely good eyesight. Its legs are long and muscular, and its feet is comapct with well-arched toes. The tail is set below the level where the black line ends and the ticking starts. Its good eyesight allows it to work well at night.

Dynamics: The Bluetick Coonhound is an intelligent and loyal companion dog. It is devoted to its family and gets along well with children. Socialization and training should be done since puppyhood, though this breed may still be aggressive with other dogs and reserved with strangers.

The Bluetick Coonhound is a remarkable hunter. It is alert and attentive, able to track over difficult place and weather conditions. It has a strong nose and a strong hunting instinct. It can pursue raccoons, foxes, or even cougars.

Breed Group: Hound, Scenthound

Weight: 45-80 lbs (20-36 kg)

Height: 20-27 inches (51-69 cm)

Color: The Bluetick Coonhound has a tricolor coat (black and white with blue) that has a unique speckled-blue look. The bluing effect on its coat is actually black hairs on a white background.

Country of Origin: The Bluetick Coonhound originated in the Louisiana, United States. It is the result of selective breeding of Foxhounds, Curs, French hounds, and English Coonhounds.

Grooming: Occasional brushing will be enough for grooming the Bluetick Coonhound. Be sure to check the ears, too, to avoid any infections.

Activities: The Bluetick Coonhound reuires lots of exercises and daily walks.

Other Info: The Bluetick Coonhound has a life expectancy of 11-12 years. This breed is generally healthy. It is not recommended for apartment life, though. It is active and vibrant outdoors and will only feel repressed indoors.