Choosing a Finnish Spitz

Choosing a Finnish Spitz

By: Dr. Dawn Ruben

Common Diseases and Disorders

The Finnish spitz is a hardy breed that has few known diseases. The most common are:

  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a disease that causes nerve cells at the back of the eye to degenerate. The condition usually begins in older pets and can lead to blindness.

  • Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that results in pain, limping and arthritis.

  • Diabetes mellitus is a disease of the pancreas related to insufficient amounts of insulin production.

  • Patellar luxation is a disorder affecting the kneecap that can cause intermittent lameness and arthritis.

  • Spitz dog thrombopathy is a condition that causes bleeding and affects young dogs.


    Life Span

    The average life span of the Finnish spitz is approximately 12 to 15 years.

    We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.


    •  
    Printable Version
     
    Have a Pet Question?
    Review the Most Frequent Questions
    Answered by Dr. Jon and His Staff of Veterinarians
    Ask Dr. Jon
    Dr. Jon's Newsletter
    Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
     
     

    Related Articles

    • 1 Non-Sporting Breeds

      Non-sporting breeds don’t fit into any other group. They don’t herd, they aren’t used for their strength and they don’t have a natural hunting ability. They really don't have much in common – other than...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 What You Need to Know About a Breeder's Contract

      The contract you sign when you buy your dog from a breeder is much more than a simple bill of sale – it guarantees your rights and the seller's rights in the transaction, sometimes for the life of your...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 How to Pick a Good Breeder

      If you pick a good breeder, the dog you choose will have a leg up on life from the start – after all, it's in the breeder's own best interests to make sure his dogs are healthy, well-socialized and the...

      Read MoreRead More
    Related Articles
    • 1How to Pick a Good Breeder

      If you pick a good breeder, the dog you choose will have a leg up on life from the start – after all, it's in the breeder's own best interests to make sure his dogs are healthy, well-socialized and the...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2What You Need to Know About a Breeder's Contract

      The contract you sign when you buy your dog from a breeder is much more than a simple bill of sale – it guarantees your rights and the seller's rights in the transaction, sometimes for the life of your...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3Non-Sporting Breeds

      Non-sporting breeds don’t fit into any other group. They don’t herd, they aren’t used for their strength and they don’t have a natural hunting ability. They really don't have much in common – other than...

      Read MoreRead More
     

    Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

    Dogs & Puppies
    Cats
    Related Articles
    • 1How to Pick a Good Breeder

      If you pick a good breeder, the dog you choose will have a leg up on life from the start – after all, it's in the breeder's own best interests to make sure his dogs are healthy, well-socialized and the...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2What You Need to Know About a Breeder's Contract

      The contract you sign when you buy your dog from a breeder is much more than a simple bill of sale – it guarantees your rights and the seller's rights in the transaction, sometimes for the life of your...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3Non-Sporting Breeds

      Non-sporting breeds don’t fit into any other group. They don’t herd, they aren’t used for their strength and they don’t have a natural hunting ability. They really don't have much in common – other than...

      Read MoreRead More