Norrbottenspets

Notes

Also known as the Norrbottenspitz, a Swedish breed in the same FCI group as the Norwiegan Elkhound, so was placed in Hound in PKC. UKC has kept the same classification. 'Norbotten' is a county in Sweden, and 'spets' is Swedish for 'spitz', thus the name of the breed. It is believed to originate from small Laikas from several thousands years ago, when only the strongest and most fit dogs could survive as valued hunters. There are many tales about brave Norbottenspetsar (correct Swedish plural form) that saved their owner's lives. However, when skins were no longer an important export item, the breed lost in popularity and at one point it was deemed extinct. A few dogs had fortunately survived as watch and companion dogs, and in the 1960's the breed was saved for the afterworld by dedicated breeders. Today, it is mainly kept as a bird hunter and, when at it's best, it's at least as good as the Finnish bird dog, Finnish Spitz.

The Norbottenspets should be a small, almost square-shaped, firm and dry spitz. It is lively, alert, friendly brave and very agile. The head is powerful and dry, wedge-shaped with a muzzle that is half the length of the skull or shorter, with moderate stop. The eyes have a lively expression. The ears are set high, erect with rounded tips. The neck is rather long, dry and muscular, carrying the head high. The body has a short straight back, with deep and rather long muzzle and slight tuck up. The front legs have moderate angulation, the hind have normal angles. The tail is set rather high and carried in a loose curl. The coat consists of smooth, thick undercoat and rather hard, straight and short topcoat, longer on the neck and tail.

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