Tweed Water Spaniel vs Finnish Hound - Breed Comparison

As one of Finland’s most popular dogs, the Finnish Hound isn’t particularly well known outside of Finnish borders. Known also as the Finsk Stovare, the Finnish Hound, known for its hunting skills, came about because of a breeding effort which started way back in the 1800s, mixing dogs such as different French, Swedish, and German hounds.

These hounds were used with the idea being to develop a dog that could do well in Finland’s terrain. The Finnish Hound is a great hunting dog but isn’t looked upon as an particularly awesome pet, although some pet owners would beg to differ.

The Tweed Water Spaniel is extinct. Fortunately, we have some beautiful dogs that come from this dog. It is involved in bringing about the Golden Retriever. They were athletic dogs from Berwick-upon-Tweed.

It was in 1816 that Richard Lawrence wrote of the origins of the Tweed Water Spaniel which is thought to have come from the Newfoundland dog. It is believed that huntsmen used these dogs to retrieve the ducks and geese they shot. This purebred dog wasn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club or the FCI.

This is a medium sized dog who stands between 52 – 62cm in height and weighs in at 20 to 25kg. The Finnish Hound can have between 4 – 8 puppies.As a scent-hound, the Finnish Hound has a short, smooth double coat which is usually in a tri-color pattern of black, tan, and white.

The attractive dog has an athletic, lean, muscular body full of energy and stamina. The eyes are brown and the dog has a peaceful expression. The medium length ears are floppy and the tail is long and carried low.

Temperament:

The Finnish Hound is friendly, calm and never aggressive. He is an intelligent dog nd will respond to the training and socialization he will require to turn him into an obedient, amicable pet, especially since he tends to be stubbon, independent and strong-willed. He isn’t recommended for small places in the city but will do better in the country with a fairy large piece of ground. The Finnish Hound is not recommended for apartment life. It is moderately active indoors and does best with at least an average-sized yard.

The Tweed Water Spaniel had a curly liver-colored coat with a long feathery tail and medium-sized floppy ears. It is thought that he was a large dog standing at between 50 to 60cm in height and weighing between 25 and 32kg.

The Tweed Water Spaniel, regarded as a moderate shedder, would have required being brushed from time to time.

Temperament:

The Tweed Water Spaniel had so many wonderful characteristics that made him a splendid family pet. He was smart and able to learn basic commands. He was also very playful and would have made a robust, playful friend for children.

They made gentle, loyal companions for their human family and wee able to get on well with other pets in the home. They would have got on well with other pets in the home too and it is believed that they were amicable enough to have been suited as a therapy dog.

They made good watchdogs too, being active and alert, just loving the outdoors. They’re well suited to life in the country or a home with a big garden and wouldn’t like to be cooped up on a small property in the city.

The Finnish Hound has always been a working dog and so he will require being well exercised.

He makes a good pet with homes where there are other dogs as well as children. As a hunting or working dog, these days the Finnish Hound is also regarded as a companion animal, fitting into family life well, and turning out to be a loving, loyal pet.

Intelligent, courageous and friendly, it seems such a pity that the Tweed Water Spaniel is extinct because he seemed to have been a super dog.

Luckily we have dogs such as the Golden Retriever that remind us of what a good family pet he was.

The Finnish Hound is looked upon as a generally healthy breed who can get to 12 years of age if looked after well. Good nutrition plays a huge role towards excellent health.

Check out common health ailments that can affect most dogs such as dental disease, obesity, hip dysplasia and a serious condition for which these dogs are particularly known – cerebellar ataxia. Lesions in the brain affect the dog’s coordination and sight. Get him to the vet as soon as you detect anything unusual with your pet.

Because this dog is extinct and because no health records were kept, it is assumed that he would have had the same health issues as a Golden Retriever. Typical health issues of this dog would include hip dysplasia, obesity, cardiomyopathy.

Obesity:

This is a preventable disease in dogs, and if dog owners only knew what damage they do by allowing their dogs to become obese. Certainly, obesity shortens a dog’s life.

It is mind-boggling to realize that scientific evidence tells us that fat tissue is biologically active, secreting inflammatory hormones and also putting stress on the dog’s joints. Obese dogs develop an increased risk for cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Cardiomyopathy:

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle characterized by an enlarged heart. The heart doesn’t function properly with the ventricles becoming enlarged. The muscle wall of the heart becomes thinner and this causes the heart to lose the ability to pump blood to the rest of the body.

Fluid can accumulate in the lungs. This can all lead to congestive heart failure. Your dog will battle to breathe, be panting and coughing, have an extended abdomen and may even collapse.

Diet:

As a medium-sized dog breed, you want to make sure to feed your dog a high-quality commercial dog food – one that has been formulated with the right amount of vitamins and minerals for the type of dog he is.

He is a high-energy hunting breed, so you wan to find a food that is appropriate to his needs. Home cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken can be added into his kibble as a change and a treat from time to time as well as some raw meat occasionally. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

Physically active and mentally balanced and intelligent, the Finnish Hound will require both physical and mental stimulation to prevent him from becoming bored and frustrated.

Grooming:

As an average shedder, your pet's smooth, short-haired coat is easy to keep in tip top condition. All that is really required is to brush the coat down twice a week to keep it in peak condition.

Don’t neglect to check the inside of the dogs ears, as too much dirt and wax can cause nasty ear infections. Also, the teeth need to be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week with special canine toothpaste and toothbrush. This will ward off tooth decay and lots of other problems within the body brought about by bad teeth.

Grooming:

The Tweed Water Spaniel had floppy ears and as a water dog, he may well have had ear infections in his day. One wonders if dog owners of that time were aware of the need to have the inside of the dog's ears clean and dry.

The Tweed Water Spaniel would have needed to have his eyes checked too. Pus in the eyes could indicate the dog wasn’t well.

Exercise:

The Tweed Water Spaniel would have required a lot of exercise and would have loved long walks and hikes. He wouldn’t need an invitation to go swimming and if you threw a stick or ball into the water, he’d be right there, jumping right in.

If you were a person that thrived on an active life this dog would have been for you.

Diet:

Nobody really knows what the Tweed Water Spaniel would have eaten in the 19th century when he was around. He’s the kind of dog you’d have to be careful with as he could put on weight easily.

If he were around today, you’d give him a high quality commercially manufactured food that was designed for large, active dogs. No doubt in those days, the owners gave the dog scraps off the table.

Today if you wanted to give your dog home-made food, you’d stick to healthy foods such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some healthy vegetables such as spinach, carrots and sweet potatoes.

Puppies would have required 4 bowls of food a day while the adult dog would require 2 meals a day.