Additonal Breeds Starting
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COUNTRY:
Sweden and Finland
WEIGHT:
26-33 pounds
HEIGHT:
17 inches
COAT:
Short and stand-off
COLOR:
Basically white, with a few color spots preferably
in yellow or brown; black spots permissible
OTHUR
NAMES: Nordic Spitz, Pohjanpystykorva
REGISTRY:
FCI
GROUP:
Northern
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The little spitz of Sweden and Finland began long ago as a hunter of small
game. Called the Pohjanpystykorva in Finland, it was taken by immigrant
farmers to northern Sweden where it was given an even longer name, the Norrbottens-skollandehund.
Although widespread for many years as a common hunting and farm dog,
the average owner "didn't know that they had a breed," and breeding
programs were not planned. As hunting with this dog waned and the popularity
of foreign breeds increased, peo-ple
lost interest.
The Norbottenspets
was thought to be extinct and was dropped from the rolls of the Swedish
KC in 1948. Lovers of the breed continued to scour both countries, discovering
good specimens in remote villages and reestablishing breeding programs.
It was reinstated by the kennel clubs in Sweden (1967) and in Finland
(1970s) and is now quite popular again in both countries. His demand today
is as a house companion and for hunting game birds such as grouse and
hazel hens. A few have won high prizes in bird-hunting trials. The Norbottenspets
has a plus as a house pet—he is not the great barker that most of the
other Nordic hunters are.
His coat is
quite short for a Nordic dog and his tail curves loosely over the back,
turning down to lie against the thigh. He is square and firm bodied. His
character is alert, lively, calm and friendly—also described as brisk—but
never shy, nervous, or aggressive. The breed is particularly good with
children. He is most happy when owned by a hunter, even if a hobby hunter.
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