The Finnish Hound temperament is one full of fantastic traits. He’s a highly active, intelligent, and affectionate dog that will bring a lot of joy into a household. There isn’t much about his characteristics that don’t make him a perfect family companion.
But there are some potential problem areas for a possible owner.
His excessive barking is one issue, which could end up driving you nuts. It also doesn’t help that his independent nature gives him a stubborn streak.
These are only some of the Finnish Hound behaviors that you’ll need to understand.
So, keep reading and get a handle on his entire temperament before you make your final decision.
The Finnish Hound Temperament and Personality
1. Highly Active
The biggest struggle a Finnish Hound owner will face is keeping up with his activity needs.
He’s an active breed that needs multiple sources of exercise. If you don’t provide them, he’ll find his own.
This situation isn’t something you want to experience. It often ends up with him tearing apart couch cushions or chewing on your favorite shoes.
The best course of action is keeping them busy with the activity you provide.
Experts agree that the Finnish Hound exercise needs require 45 minutes of activity per day.
There are various ways to meet this requirement. It could be something as simple as daily walks or playing fetch.
2. Talkative
A Finnish Hound loves hearing himself talk, and his barking will be a regular presence inside your home.
This behavior is a result of his hunting days as he would bark when he caught something.
These days this alert system extends to seeing squirrels, people walking near your home, the mailman driving by, etc.
Anything that seems remotely interesting to him will result in a bark. But like most undesirable traits, you can tone down the barking by teaching him the quiet command.
This trait is the reason why the Finnish Hound temperament isn’t the best fit for apartment living. His barking will end up driving your neighbors crazy when it’s not managed correctly.
3. Independent
The Finnish Hound temperament was developed to be an efficient hunter.
This background means he’ll have a certain independence nature about him. It could result in him being stubborn or strong-willed.
He’ll require a bit more patience than other breeds. This independent nature is manageable with the proper training and owner. You should never underestimate the power of a tasty treat.
His independent nature doesn’t stop him from being prone to separation anxiety though. Due to this, leaving him alone for long periods could result in some tragic circumstances.
Finnish Hound owners have come home to their dogs having bloody paws and other self-inflicted injuries.
4. Friendly
You’ll never have a problem with the Finnish Hound temperament appearing aggressive.
He’s even good with kids, which a rarity among dog breeds. He also doesn’t have a problem with strangers coming up and petting him on the street.
If you’re looking for a dog to take around town, a Finnish hound is a good pick. All you have to do is ensure you keep him well-socialized from an early age.
We should mention that he can have an issue with other non-dog animals such as cats.
5. Intelligent
This breed is relatively smart, and the Finnish Hound temperament is capable of learning all types of commands and tricks.
Dog sports such as hunting or agility are known to be favorites with his dynamic personality.
But the best part is he’s completely willing to participate as long as you approach it the right way.
His intelligence also makes him an efficient alert system as he’ll bark when someone is coming toward your home.
It doesn’t make him a capable guard dog though. He’s more likely to lick an intruder’s face than put up a fight with his friendly mindset.
5. Affectionate
A Finnish Hound creates deep bonds with the people he sees as his family. He’s known to showcase his affection for these people with various loving acts.
It’s not uncommon for him to try and sit right in your lap as you’re watching TV.
This affection within the Finnish Hound temperament isn’t reserved only for the people in his family either.
Once he gets familiar with another dog, it’s common to see him sleeping or playing with them.
If you’re looking for a second dog, a Finnish Hound could a good fit. But make sure you show both dogs equal affection because he's prone to getting jealous.
A Quick Look At Finnish Hound History
The start of the Finnish Hound managed to avoid official documentation.
But most experts agree his existence was the result of crossbreeding English Foxhounds with numerous German and French hounds.
The goal was to create a cheerful dog with the following traits:
- Able to withstand the harsh Swedish and Finnish winters
- High endurance level
- Ability to track rabbits and foxes by scent
- A loud bark
- Capable of traveling the rugged mountain terrain
The result was the Finnish Hound's existence. All these traits quickly made him one of the most popular breeds within Finland.
In particular, people took a liking to his excellent hunting skills and high IQ.
He even still occupies the role of hunting dog within Finland today.
You don’t often see him as a companion or a show dog, and you rarely find him outside his homeland.
His first breed standard didn’t even get written until 1932. And he didn’t get recognized by the United Kennel Club until 1996.
An Overview of the Finnish Hound Appearance
This breed is a medium-sized dog with an athletic build that reflects itself in his measurements:
- The Finnish Hound height: 20 to 23 inches
- The Finnish Hound weight: 45 to 55 pounds
He’ll have a thick, short, tri-color coat with the standard Finnish Hound colors of tan, white and black. The typical coloring arrangement consists of massive tan patches, black saddle, and white in several areas:
- Chest
- Paws
- Legs
- Fringes
His skull will be somewhat domed with a muzzle that’ll match his skull’s length. He’ll also have a nose with black coloring, dark brown oval eyes, and folded ears. His light, athletic frame will help prevent them from becoming too heavy as well.
Important Finnish Hound Training Information
Training a Finnish Hound shouldn’t be a complicated process with the right approach. After all, he’s a smart, active breed that should pick up new concepts quickly. But he does have hunting instincts, which could make it a little tricky.
You see these hunting instincts give him a little bit of a stubborn or independent nature.
This trait is why it’s imperative you start both the socialization and training processes early. It’s also the reason you need to approach these sessions with a consistent and firm hand.
If you don’t, he could quickly become bored and ignore your commands. A good way to avoid this situation is by using positive reinforcement techniques.
He’s known to respond incredibly well when handlers use this type of training.
Don’t ever use harsher methods or he’ll fall deep into his independent nature. It’ll produce the exact opposite outcome of the results you want.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your Finnish Hound dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
The Finnish Hound Grooming Requirements
One of the best Finnish Hound traits is his low maintenance needs. He’s a minimal shedder that requires only a couple of brushing sessions a week to preserve his coat. You’ll need to use a pin brush to get the best results out of these sessions.
This type of brush will spread his coat’s natural oils and remove the loose hair.
His bathing needs are even less of an issue as their coats naturally maintain themselves.
The only time he’ll require a bath is when he does something mischievous and picks up a nasty smell.
If you do wash him, make sure you use vet-approved shampoo. This product will ensure you avoid rashes and other skin irritations. His other grooming requirements are what you’d expect any dog would need:
- Nail trimming
- Brushing his teeth
- Checking ears for build-ups
Relevant Finnish Hound Health Issues
The expected Finnish Hound lifespan is about 12 years. This average is rather standard within the dog community. As a result, you can expect this breed to be a healthy one.
But any potential owner needs to have a grasp of the following health issues:
These issues are the ones that are most common among Finnish Hounds. You can stay ahead of them by keeping up with your vet visits. One every six months is the agreed-upon standard for visiting your dog’s vet.
If you’re getting a Finnish Hound puppy, you must make sure his parents have these procedures done as well:
- An eye exam performed by a veterinary ophthalmologist. The results should be verified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
- A test done on their hips and elbow by the OFA.
Both these exams will lower the chances your puppy ends up with these health issues. Any breeder without paperwork stating the results of these test are ones you should avoid.
Note: Don't let the many issues above scare you. The best way to approach health problems is to prevent them in the first place. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is a great place to start. Get a copy to keep at home. It will help you prevent the painful health issues that can plague your lovely Finnish Hound pet from expressing his winning personality and maximizing his life expectancy.
Finding Your Finnish Hound
Finnish Hound For Sale
It won’t be easy finding good Finnish Hound breeders within the United States.
This breed is a rare sight outside his native lands of Finland. And it doesn’t help that there isn’t a Finnish Hound club in America either.
But there are still some ways you could go about buying a Finnish Hound Puppy.
The primary one is by using sites like Puppyfinder.com. This site will show the nearest breeder and provide you with their contact information.
The only problem with using sites like this one is these breeders don’t have to follow any specific breeding rules. This issue makes the likelihood you end up contacting a lousy breeder quite high.
As a result, it’s essential you set up a meeting at their breed facilities. This interaction will give you a chance to determine whether you feel good about the situation.
It’s the best way to avoid supporting horrible practices such as puppy mills.
Looking out for certain warning signs will help speed up this evaluation process. Be aware of things like whether there are multiple litters available. The breeder should have all the proper paperwork on hand.
He should also get you a list of references from previous customers. And offer you a health guarantee with the purchase of any puppy.
Estimated Cost of Finnish Hound Puppies
A Finnish Hound price will hover between $600 and $800. This cost could be higher or lower depending on certain factors:
- Bloodlines
- Medical Issues
- Shipping Costs
Finnish Hound For Adoption
Adopting a Finnish Hound will not be a simple process.
There isn’t a single Finnish Hound rescue within the United States, which makes it much harder.
It leaves you with two potential options to choose from as a prospective adopter.
The first is using sites like Puppyfinder.com. These sites will operate much like they would when you’re trying to buy a puppy.
But it’ll show the closest shelters or rescues with a Finnish Hound rather than a breeder.
And it’ll provide you with the shelter/rescue contact information. From there, it’s a simple matter of dialing your phone.
The second option is taking a trip down to your local shelter or humane society and looking through their selection.
It’s not likely this organization will have a Finnish Hound on hand. But it doesn’t hurt to look, and you can express your interest in the breed.
Let them know you want a Finnish Hound and the people at the shelter might have some leads.
You can even give them your contact information. In doing so, you’re giving them someone to call when/if a Finnish makes it into their facility.
If you do manage to track one down, please ensure you ask a variety of questions about the dog.
These questions should cover topics like his temperament, activity level, medical issues, etc.
Everything you can think of that’ll make sure you have a sense of comfort about bringing him home.
Estimated Cost of the Adoption Fee
The adoption fee for a Finnish Hound will cost will between $30 and $300. This price could be higher or lower depending on a few essential factors:
- DNA
- Medical History
- Boarding Expenses
- Rescue or Shelter
Conclusion: Is The Finnish Hound The Right Fit for Your Home?
If you want a loving, energetic dog, the Finnish Hound temperament could be a fantastic option.
His highly dynamic personality will keep you on your toes, and his affectionate nature should bring warmth into your household.
But anybody living in close quarters should stay far away from a Finnish Hound.
His constant barking will drive your neighbors crazy and make everyone's lives miserable. He’s also not a good fit for people looking for a dog that’ll sleep all day.
Calvin is the co-founder and one of the main contributors to dogtemperament.com. He has been an avid dog lover all his life. He enjoys researching and sharing great ideas on how you can avoid common pitfalls of dog ownership and build the most loving and enjoyable relationship with your dog.