Our Philosophy
The Big "Three"
Almost any breeder’s website will mention the three “catch” words of breeding:
1. Health 2. Structure 3. Temperament
Here at Foxfire, we make a study of these three aspects and we make it our business to continually learn as much as we can. We know that breeders must not only be passionate about the well-being and care of the puppies they raise, they must make a study of all the things that make up that little pup long before it is conceived. Every breed has its unique issues with regards to these three things, and the Arctic Spitz is no exception.
Health
In addition to our vet’s thorough observation of our breeding dogs, we utilize several tools to provide our puppies with the best chance of living out a natural healthy life. We DNA test through Embark for genetic conditions, and equally importantly, we test our dogs’ hips, elbows, hearts, and patellas (knees) through the OFA. We take a holistic approach as well - we choose dogs that are able to give birth naturally, have good predictable fertility, have no allergies, normal teeth, etc. and are easy keepers. It is our belief that an animal should be able to be what it is without artificial intervention like c-sections and constant medicating for different conditions.
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Structure
Structure, also known as conformation is another big consideration for us. People tend to dismiss this one unless they are looking for a show, working or sport dog. Many associate this with ladies wearing a periwinkle taffeta skirt/blazer set scuttling around the show ring with an absurdly floofed-up poodle. “I don’t want a show dog!” You exclaim. While there is some truth that silliness transpires in the show world, the idea that structure therefore doesn’t matter is mistaken. In short, good structure allows the dog to live a longer more natural life. How the joints handle high-impact activity relies on a dog’s overall bone structure, and gives the dog a better chance of aging later rather than earlier. Hip dysplasia is not always genetic, poor structure can put undue pressure on joints and cause them to give out very early on in a dog’s life. Foxfire makes a point to study good structure and while NO dog is perfect, we choose dogs that have good overall conformation and when paired correctly, possess the genes to improve the next generation. While there are no guaranteed outcomes and Mother Nature has the final say, we know people will be gratified with a dog that is still able to do the things they love with their bodies as they age!
Temperament
The Arctic Spitz is a companion breed, not a working breed. That being said, Nordic breeds across the board are all descended from very high-level working breeds. Few people know it, but the Pomeranian used to be a 30 + lbs. SLED PULLING DOG! That of course has long been bred out of them, but it is a fact. Huskies often still have that drive and high energy to run and pull.
When we originally set out to become involved in forming this breed, we spent long hours discussing what temperament traits we wanted to prioritize and hone. After four years and lots of evolution of thought, we have come to this conclusion. The Arctic Spitz, without question, is a Nordic breed. And as many Nordic breeds as there are, there are some common threads of temperament traits. Independence of mind, resilience, rugged both mentally and physically - a natural robust constitution and mentality that is incredibly brave and adaptable, loving, and affectionate. We used to be of the mind that we wanted to breed out the independence to make a dog that was “easier” and more conducive to the average family. But we have found in our observation and experience, that these traits are what make these dogs great. Trying to make a dog “softer” often results in pups with unstable temperaments, and little to no brains. Submissive peeing, noise reactivity, timidity, anxiety, weird neurotic quirks…..these traits do not honor the Nordic heritage of dogs that willingly ran hundreds of miles through the most brutal conditions to deliver medicine, mail, and other critical supplies. We understand that for many families, a dog that is hard-headed, somewhat independent and mischievous by nature will translate to something unruly, ill-mannered, and unmanageable. But those cons are really pros for the right homes. No breed is right for everyone, and it is our belief and understanding that the homes that are right for this breed are a match-made-in-heaven, and our pups are a once in a lifetime companion that will be featured in many cherished family memories, and the subject of many stories relayed for years to come. So rather than trying to make this breed into something they are not in a foolish attempt to appeal to everyone, we have embraced their nature. They are not the best dogs for everyone, but they are perfect for some!
And to be clear, we do not believe that good temperament is accomplished by overlooking or shrugging off extremes - when we say “natural independence” we do not include a dog that will bolt out the door and never look back, or a dog that obsessively guards its food, or excessively uses their mouth to get what they want. These extremes DO exist in this breed without question. We look for balance, and we understand that this can only be accomplished with deliberation and a thorough knowledge of our dogs’ strengths and perhaps equally important, their flaws. We are honest about what we offer to people because as much as we want our puppies to land in permanent loving homes, we also want our puppy people to end up with the dog they want.
So what temperament can you expect in a Foxfire puppy? As said above, we strive to honor the traditional Nordic traits while also intentionally honing them. We understand that this breed is a family companion, not a working dog. We also know it’s a work-in-progress breed. And as such, we put a high-priority on a stable, friendly temperament that is straightforward, highly trainable, and easy to live with. These traits are suitable for people who are confident in their leadership and training skills, and who have the ability to establish firm and clear boundaries. While this breed has a more independent mind, they are not as mentally “needy” as many other breeds and are content with a casual active family lifestyle. This may make a recall less inherent, but a well-bred arctic spitz can absolutely be trained to have a beautifully consistent recall that will allow for a dog that can be off-leash. We specifically choose dogs that on-balance, are more oriented towards people than the surrounding environment. Of course there is a spectrum of traits for each dog, but we choose our pairings with the aspiration to produce better temperament in every generation.
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The overall temperament traits that we value and seek to accomplish in our litters are:
- Intelligence
- Trainability
- Naturally engaged with people, including children
- Moderately active, not hyper
- Inherent bravery and adaptability to many lifestyles
- Resilience - both mental and physical
- A stable and friendly character
If a Foxfire puppy sounds like a good fit to you, or even if you are simply contemplating the possibility of this breed and want to know more, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!