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Hound · Sweden

Norrbottenspets

A walker's guide to the Norrbottenspets: how much exercise they need, what to expect on and off the lead, and what to ask the owner before the first walk.

Small, 8 to 15 kgHigh energySpitz typeVocalPrey driveRare in UKHardy
Exercise a day90 min plus
Energy4 of 5
Walk styleLight, alert, scanning
With other dogsFriendly, confident

Overview

The Norrbottenspets comes from the far north of Sweden, where it was used to find game birds in the forest and hold them with a steady, ringing bark. It is small, square and neat, with a close double coat, a curled tail and a watchful expression that misses nothing.

It is a cheerful, confident dog by most accounts, affectionate at home and keen to be involved. In Britain it is very rare, so expect an owner who knows the breed well and probably knows more about Nordic hunting dogs than you do. Ask them everything.

Exercise and walking needs

Ninety minutes a day of brisk activity keeps a healthy adult settled. These are tireless little dogs that trot and scan, trot and scan. A route through woodland suits them better than a flat park, provided you can hold them when a squirrel moves.

They thrive in cold and wet and shrug off snow. Hot weather slows them down and should be handled with early starts and shade.

Daily minimum90 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeLong line advised

On the walk

  • Recall: Often good in quiet areas and unreliable the moment a bird or squirrel appears. A long line is the honest answer in woods and near roads.
  • Barking: Barking at treed or spotted game is the whole job description. Expect noise at squirrels, cats and birds, and do not expect to train it out on a walk.
  • Other dogs: Usually confident and sociable, with the self-assurance of a dog that was expected to work alongside others. Not easily bullied for its size.
  • Weather: Built for the Arctic. Rain is nothing; mud brushes out of the coat once dry. Carry water on warm days.

Tips for professional walkers

  1. Walk woodland routes on a long line and reward every check-in with something worth coming back for.
  2. Give the eyes a job: hide a toy or scatter treats and let the dog search.
  3. Plan quieter routes if the barking will bother other dogs in your group.
Every dog is an individual. Treat this as a starting point and go with what the owner tells you about their dog. Anything to do with health belongs with the owner and their vet.

What to ask the owner

  • Has the dog ever hunted, and what does it do when it sees a squirrel or a bird on the ground?
  • How reliable is the recall, and what cue does the owner use to interrupt barking?
  • How does the dog react to deer, cats and livestock on footpaths?
Finnish SpitzFinland's national dogNorwegian ElkhoundA compact grey spitz bred to track moose and hold them at bay by barking: strongJämthundSweden's big grey elkhound: a powerfulKarelian Bear DogA black-and-white Finnish hunting spitz bred to find and hold bear and elk at bay: fearless