Finnish Spitz is originated from Finland but Francais Blanc et Noir is originated from France. Finnish Spitz may grow 22 cm / 8 inches shorter than Francais Blanc et Noir. Finnish Spitz may weigh 17 kg / 37 pounds lesser than Francais Blanc et Noir. Finnish Spitz may live 4 years less than Francais Blanc et Noir. Both Finnish Spitz and Francais Blanc et Noir has same litter size. Both Finnish Spitz and Francais Blanc et Noir requires Moderate Maintenance.
The “barking Bird Dog” or Finnish Spitz was Developed in Finland. The breed is fearless and small with a different style than many other hunting dogs. He style of tracking is unusual and he indicated his quarry by barking. He was bred to hunt all sizes of prey from as large as bears to as small as squirrels. He was called the “Barking Bird Dig” because he pointed at the prey by barking and giving the hunter knowledge of the prey and an easy approach to it. In Finland, the Spitz is still a hunting dog. In 1979 The Finnish Spitz became the national dog of Finland.
Spitz-like dogs have been present in Finland for over 8000 years. It is believed that dogs living in higher latitudes had more in common with the Taymyr Wolf od North Asia than with the gray wolf. Tests indicate that the chance of the Spitz being related to the Taymyr is between 1.4&a and 27.3%. The Taymyr is extinct today. This shows that the present day dog descends from more than one type of wolf and more than one area. The Spitz was a favorite of the Finno-Ugrian tribes as he helped them find food. These tribes were pretty isolated until 1880. Then the Spitz were mated with other dogs and were almost extinct as a breed separate from all the other local dogs.
However, like many other breeds the Finnish Spitz found a savior. A Finnish huntsman, named Hugo Roos, noticed the native Finnish Spitz while he was hunting up North. He decided to breed dogs that were genuine Finnish Spitz without the blood of other breeds mixed in. After thirty years the current day Finnish Spitz was born.The latest breed standard was confirmed by the Love Finnish Kennel Club in 1996.
Translated from the French Chien Francais Blanc et Noir, is the French White and Black Hound. His ancestry goes back before the French Revolution to the old Hound of Saintonge and the Gascon Saintongeois. The Francais Blanc et Noir was bred to be a hunting dog and he is a scent hound. They were dogs that went hunting in packs, mostly for Roe and Red deer. In the late 19th Century, the Gascon Saintongeois was crossed with the Poitevin and the result was the Francais Blanc et Noir.
The breed was recognized in 1957 and by 2009 there were about 2000 dogs registered with the Federation Cynoloqique Interenationale. There are three types of the Francais line. They are the Chien Francais Tricolor and Chien Francais Blanc et Orange. The Blanc et Noir was bred as a hunting dog and they remain that especially in France. However, they are also very popular in dog shows. Because so many dogs belonged to hunters who felt no compulsion to register them, they were not recognized internationally for many decades later than they should have been.
Following the Second World War, breeding programs were in chaos and hunters were abandoning dogs that they could not feed. The military killed many dogs also. The Chien Francais Blanc et Noir saw its ranks greatly depleted but the breed survived. After being recognized in 1957 by the CKC and FCI, they gained international attention for the first time. Even though the breed is rare its numbers are greater than either of the other Chien Francais types. The breed registers 200 to 400 new dogs every year.
They are still endangered though because there are very few dogs left outside of France.
The UKC has recognized the breed but the AKC doesn’t.
The Finnish Spitz is balanced and symmetrical in body and females are longer than males. They have a very distinguishable prick, foxy ears and face. They have a smiling expression and a curved tail. They are a golden-red color with a double coat. The under coat is dense and soft While the top coat is stiff. Puppies often look like little red fox cubs. When born they are black, grey or brown with a lot of black. As an adult the pups grow up to be a mix of fawn and dark black. Lips, nose and rims of the eyes should be black.
Being a pack hunting dog, the Francais Blanc et Noir is muscular and lean. A long legged athletic breed with long drop ears, a domed head, and flews overhanging the lower lip. The coat is black and white, with black and blue ticking. There are tan dot on the cheeks and above the eyes and also below the tail. These spots of pale tan color can also appear on the dog’s legs. The Francais Blanc et Noir is known for its scenting ability and for its great voice. With its athletic build it is also known for its ability to persevere
Very child friendly – loves to play with children as long as the children pay attention to them. If not, the Spitz will go elsewhere.
They are independent thinkers and close to family but not strangers. They often “yodel” instead of howl.
Needs to be with people, bonds deeply with his humans. Most get along well with other dogs but because of their hunting instinct they are not good with small pets or birds.
They are smart and learn easily. They are great athletes and learn games and competition well.
They are good with children as long as the children are not overly rambunctious.
He is a large active dog that would not be adaptable to apartment or city life.
The breed is very smart and easily trainable.
Typically, a somewhat healthy breed, the Finnish Spitz does struggle with a few genetic concerns. They have been known to suffer from:
The Francais Blanc et Noir has the propensity for several minor and a few major health problems. These include:
Can lead to death if not treated immediately. Stomach twists and distends.
Can lead to arthritis and lameness if not treated.
These can be avoided if ears are checked and cleaned after each hunt and after exercise.
The breed is susceptible to the non-fatal type. Check for mites regularly.
Both seasonal and food potentially.
Don’t overfeed the little guy. The Spitz had a good appetite for a dog its size and can gain weight quickly . Feed twice a day about 1/8th of a cup.
The same advice hold for the adult dog. Feed 1/4th of a cub of high quality dry food twice a day.
When the Spitz is a puppy you should limit strenuous exercise and jumping. Don’t spay neuter at too young an age. Wait until they are mature at 3-5 years of age.
Again do not exercise vigorously at too young an age. When older the Finnish Spitz will need a yard to run in and exercise to satisfy his hunting instincts. A long walk every day is a must.
Until a year to 18 months feed two to three times per day two to two and one half cups of high quality dry dog food.
After 18 months of age feed the adult at least twice a day about three to four and one half cups of high quality dry dog food.
The Francais Blanc et Noir is a dog with a lot of energy and bred to be very active. He needs plenty of exercise and both mental and physical stimulation. If you jog take him with you or take him on long walks every day. He will need a large yard and he needs a job if he is not used for hunting. He is good at field trials, tracking exercises, a search and rescue dog and barn hunts.