Finnish Hound
Complete Breed Guide
"My motto: Never give up on a good scent!"
Quick Facts About Finnish Hounds
Sporting
45–55 lbs
20–24"
No
Overview
Nose always to the ground, Finnish Hounds are Finland's most popular hunting dogs. Finnish Hounds are energetic and dedicated trackers in the field but become calm and collected at home after a long day's work.
Finland’s most popular hunting dog, Finnish Hounds are determined trackers who keep their nose to the ground. Their long, floppy ears fall toward their nose when working and essentially create a scent tunnel. Offering vocal updates along the way, you’ll know when these scenthounds have found what they’ve been after. While trainable, these dogs have selective listening when focusing on a scent. They are happy to be home with their family after a long day of work, and their friendly, even-keeled personality can also make them a great companion to children.
Temperament and Behavior
Finnish Hounds crave companionship from their people and other dogs. They can do okay with cats if raised with them, but other small animals are a different story. Their sharp hunting instincts tell them that these creatures make better snacks than friends. These hounds seek out affection from their families, and when left alone for too long, they sometimes show their love by leaving furry presents on the doorstep. While eager and energetic on a scent trail, they are easy-going and friendly dogs at home. Some Finnish Hounds, though, can act a bit timid toward strangers.
Coat & Grooming
These medium-sized scenthounds have a distinctive white-striped face and tri-colored markings. Grooming requires light maintenance; take a firm bristle brush to a Finnish Hound’s short, coarse coat once a week to manage dead hairs and reduce shedding. Their long, floppy hound ears do a lot of work funneling scents toward their nose and need to be checked regularly for signs of infection.
Lifestyle & Living Conditions
Not only does their high-energy personality not enjoy small spaces, the Finnish Hound’s loud voice quickly carries throughout an apartment complex. Needless to say, these dogs do well in a large home with an even larger yard. Better yet, give these scenthounds acreage to roam and sniff in a rural setting. They can wander off when they smell something interesting, so be cautious when off-leash and consider a fence for your yard.
Exercise & Activity
Finnish Hounds enjoy any activity that utilizes their keen nose. They love to be a hunting companion and will also enjoy it if you create a scent trail for them. To do this, run their favorite treat through the grass and leave it at the end of a long trail. Then let your Finnish Hound outside to put their tracking abilities to good use. These are high-energy dogs that require a few hours of exercise per day. If you don’t have a large, fenced yard for them to run around in, taking them for a daily run is a good idea.
Characteristics at-a-glance
Ratings are on a scale of 1–10, based on breed standards and typical temperament.
Finnish Hound FAQs
Common questions about the Finnish Hound breed, answered by our editorial team.
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