Dog lovers around the world often find themselves faced with the dilemma of their living conditions. No matter how badly you want a dog, it’s not right to adopt one if you are unable to provide the right environment.
For those who live in an apartment, it may become especially difficult to decide whether a dog is a good idea or not. Fortunately, some breeds are better suited to apartment life than others.
If you are considering adopting a Finnish Spitz, but do not know whether this breed will do well in an apartment, this article will answer all of your questions!
In general, a Finnish Spitz is moderately suited to life in an apartment. However, they are known for their tendency to bark, which can become a problem with neighbors.
Furthermore, Finnish Spitz are active dogs. Because apartments do not have yards, you should not get a Finnish Spitz if you are unable to provide regular exercise.
Consider The Size Of A Finnish Spitz
Let’s face it; apartments aren’t as big as houses. If your residence already feels crowded, you may wonder if a dog is a good choice at all!
Most people who live in an apartment assume that a smaller dog is the best way to go, but that isn’t necessarily the case.
A large dog that is calm and low energy will be much easier to live with in a smaller environment than a little dog who is continually getting under your feet.
That being said, the size of the dog is still an important aspect to consider.
Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog, weighing on average between 25 to 35 pounds. Males stand between 17 and 20 inches tall, whereas females are typically 15 to 18 inches tall.
If you are worried about your dog’s size, a female Finnish Spitz might be a better option, as they tend to be smaller than the males.
While not as small as toy-sized breeds, such as pugs and chihuahuas, Finnish Spitz is still much smaller than a Husky or an Akita Inu.
It’s best if you are realistic about how large your apartment is, and whether it is large enough to accommodate you and your dog, as well as any family members or roommates.
If you are already feeling crowded in your apartment, it’s unfair to assume that your dog won’t feel the same.
No matter how badly you may want to bring a puppy into your home, it is best to make sure you have a pleasant environment for that dog before choosing to do so.
How Noisy Is A Finnish Spitz?
Another important aspect to consider when choosing a dog breed for your apartment is the noise level.
Many neighbors do not want to hear a dog barking all day, which can result in complaints to the landlord.
Even pet-friendly apartments have their limits.
If enough neighbors complain, you may have to give up your dog permanently- which would be heartbreaking for both you and your dog.
Finnish Spitz doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to barking, as they can bark quite loudly and frequently.
However, it is important to note that they rarely bark without reason. Bred as hunting dogs, Finnish Spitz bark most often when they come into contact with strangers or changes in their environment.
A Finnish Spitz watching out the window might be prone to barking at every passerby, for example.
Thankfully, this can be amended somewhat by avoiding the things that make your dog bark. You can start by closing the curtains and putting your dog in another room if strangers visit.
If your apartment has thick walls, and you are willing to go to the effort it takes to reduce your dog’s barking, then a Finnish Spitz may be a good fit for you!
However, be aware that barking is part of owning a dog, and is one of the ways in which your dog expresses themselves.
You can do your best to reduce your dog’s bark frequency, but there is no way to prevent it entirely.
If you think barking will be an issue with neighbors or with your landlord, it may be best to consider a different breed.
If you want to know more about this topic I have written a post about how much the Finnis Spitz barks here.
The Energy Level Of A Finnish Spitz
As we mentioned earlier, size is not as important when looking for a dog to join you in your apartment. Instead, it is more important to consider the energy level of your dog.
Huskies, for example, are not capable of living in an apartment, as they require large yards to run around every day.
Finnish Spitz, however, are not quite as high energy. They are considered moderate when it comes to activity level but still require regular exercise.
If you are the kind of person who prefers to stay at home and watch TV, then a Finnish Spitz may not be the best option. Even though they can do well in an apartment without a yard, they still require regular runs or jogs.
If you are unable to take your dog on daily walks, then a Finnish Spitz is not the right choice for an apartment.
You may want to consider a breed like a pug or a French Bulldog, which does not require frequent or strenuous exercise.
One last thing to consider with a Finnish Spitz is that they prefer colder climates. If you live somewhere that is quite hot; your dog may find it difficult to tolerate those warmer temperatures.
Temperate or cooler locations are typically best when owning a Finnish Spitz.
Coat Maintenance and Shedding In Apartment Life
Keeping an apartment clean is hard work, no matter how small your apartment is!
Dogs that shed often are not usually a good match for an apartment, as you may find yourself overwhelmed by the mess.
Luckily, Finnish Spitz shed a moderate amount. While this may not be as ideal as a low-shedding dog, it is still much better than a Chow Chow or a German Shepherd.
Their fur is medium in length and requires moderate grooming and maintenance. Here you can read more about grooming a Finky.
They shed heavily only twice a year, so you should brush more frequently during these times. In general, you should brush your Finnish Spitz once a week.
They do not require regular bathing, and, due to their skin, which is not oily, they are not odorous.
Overall, the Finnish Spitz is a pretty clean breed, making them ideal for apartment life.
So long as you can provide regular grooming, they are relatively low maintenance and are not expected to cause much mess in your apartment.
Social Needs When Living In An Apartment With a Finnish Spitz
Some dog breeds are notorious for being clingy, which can be difficult if you are trying to walk around a small apartment.
Finnish Spitz requires moderate attention and is unlikely to trip you up while you’re walking.
Even if you spend all day at work, your dog will be perfectly fine on its own for a few hours, so long as you can give your dog a good walk and plenty of attention once the workday is done.
If you have a family or roommates, the Finnish Spitz is also a good option. They are patient with young children and get along with people who are not strangers. They are good family dogs here you can read more about the topic.
It may take a bit to introduce your dog to anyone else who may live in the apartment, but your dog should warm up relatively quickly.
However, while they will tolerate other people in the apartment, they also tend to bond very closely with only one owner. This makes them the ideal companion for a single person renting an apartment alone.
While the Finnish Spitz is very wary of strangers, they are not typically aggressive, except perhaps too strange dogs.
They make excellent guard dogs because of this, but it’s probably best not to bring in a ton of newcomers all the time to prevent stress and barking.
When considering the social aspect of your dog, one last thing to note is that these dogs are sensitive to the household dominance hierarchy. Males especially may be pushy and try to establish dominance, so proper training is necessary.
Conclusion
So long as you are honest with yourself about the conditions of your living space, getting a dog while living in an apartment can be a very rewarding experience.
While a Finnish Spitz may not be as easy to care for as breeds such as Pugs or French Bulldogs, they can still do excellently in an apartment. I also have an article about taking care of a French Bulldog puppy.
If you are considering adopting this breed, you should make sure that you are capable of putting in the time and patience to train your dog. You should also make sure that barking will not be an issue.
Finally, you must be willing to provide your Finnish Spitz with regular exercise. If you can meet all of these needs, then a Finnish Spitz is the perfect apartment companion!
You can read more about the Finnish Spitz in my next article.