Finnish Spitz health: what owners should know
Conditions the Finnish Spitz is known to be prone to, breeder screening and everyday habits that help.
Long lived for its size, the Finnish Spitz is generally healthy, but hip dysplasia, kneecap luxation and epilepsy occur in the breed, and diabetes has been reported in some lines. Responsible breeders hip score the parents, may have knees and eyes checked, and are open about any epilepsy in the pedigree.
Keep your dog lean and fit. If you see a seizure (collapse, paddling legs, jaw champing, loss of awareness), note the time and length and contact a vet promptly; a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, or several in a row, is an emergency. A noticeable increase in drinking and urinating also deserves a vet check.
Numbers worth knowing
Life expectancy
13 to 15 yrs
Senior care
Individual assessment
age alone does not define care needs
Typical breed weight
9 to 15 kg