Finnish hound

Overall description of the breed

The official origins of the Finnish Hound date back to the founding of the Finnish Kennel Club in 1889, but its ancestors have been recorded since the 17th century in its native country.

Little is known about its ancestry, but the breed is certainly the result of several crosses between local hunting dogs and European hounds, the "Suomenajokoira" of its native name, was selected in the early 20th century, especially since the development of its first standard in 1932.

The breed is still not very widespread outside Finland, but with a constant number of births every year. Today, it is recognized by most dog organizations in the world and was finally registered by the International Cynological Federation on August 8, 1954, with the most recent update of the official standard in force published on July 17, 1997.

Balanced and athletic, the Finnish Hound is solidly built, but maintains a light, harmonious gait, with a body that is longer than it is tall and fits into a rectangle.

The lower legs are thick and powerful, with a straight topline and discreetly rounded at the loins. This efficient hunter has a good width of shoulder and a deep chest which gives him great presence in a static position.

The neck is thick and strong, providing a robust support to the long head, which has a domed skull of regular width, the muzzle is of the same length as the skull, moderately high, tapering to the tip, with a slight but clearly defined stop. The ears are broad and drooping, set on a line from the nose to the eyes. The Finnish Hound's coat is short, abundant and smooth, combined with a dense undercoat that protects it effectively from the cold.

The only coat colour permitted by the breed standard is black and tan, with clearly visible markings on the head and legs, white patches are tolerated on the head, neck, chest and tail.

The character of the Suomenajokoira is typical of the hound, playful, close to its owners and hard-working, it is very fond of contact with humans, but its primitive instinct makes it wary of people it does not know.

Determined and enduring, he is an excellent hunting dog who will do his utmost to fulfil the missions you entrust to him. Versatile, the role of companion dog suits him perfectly, overflowing with energy, he will love to share moments of play with the whole family. Extremely dynamic on a daily basis, he will need regular activities to blossom, nevertheless, if his energy needs are met, he will be able to channel himself indoors and adopt a peaceful attitude within his home.

Adult: The Finnish Hound will weigh about 25 kg (55 lbs) and will stand about 57-59 cm (22.5-23.5") for males and 54-56 cm (21-22") for females.