Karelo-Finnish Laika: breed description and cultivation

The Karelian-Finnish Laika is a wonderful dog that can demonstrate its best working qualities in the most difficult conditions. Once the emergence of this breed was a forced step associated with the need to provide fur traders with a reliable companion with an excellent sense of smell. But she was never destined to gain official status. The originally used breeding material after many years led to the unification of the Karelian-Finnish Laikas with the Finnish Spitz - it is under this name that the breed appears at exhibitions today.

For the first time, experiments on breeding a breed called the Karelian-Finnish Laika were carried out more than 100 years ago, at the beginning of the 20th century. The half-breed livestock combined the features of their parents - Olonets and Karelian hunting dogs with Finnish Spitz dogs. The resulting stock had a bright red color and significantly better performance than the original broodstock. In order to avoid closely related crossbreeding, the infusion of the blood of the Finnish Spitz was most often used in breeding, recording them as sires as representatives of a new breed.

The resulting mestizo was considered a purebred and until 1984 it was quite satisfactory for both hunters and representatives of the federation. But as the livestock was formed, it became clear that it was pointless to conduct further selection without combining with the Finnish Spitz.Moreover, the lack of mutual understanding with the Finns did not allow the breed to be registered at the international level, because its name contained a foreign toponym. It was also impossible to call the dogs exclusively Karelian huskies, cross-breeding by that time covered almost 90% of the livestock.

The creation of the RKF also did not make it clear - by automatically accepting all FCI requirements, it simply ruled out the very possibility of legalizing a popular commercial breed. The organization standard only provides for the "Finnish Spitz" option. Since 2006, it was to them that all the livestock recorded at that time by the clubs were officially attributed. The reason for the disappearance of the very name of the Karelian-Finnish Laika was an agreement signed with the FKC (the Finnish analogue of the RKF) to combine the two branches of selection into one common standard.

In fact, this deprived the once one of the most promising domestic dog breeds of any chance of official recognition. Moreover, many breeders do not agree that domestic breeding material was not enough to distinguish an authentic, local line of livestock. Breeding of the Karelian Laika, a descendant of a similar Old Karelian breed, continues today by enthusiasts.

The characteristics of puppies and the standards of adult Karelian-Finnish Laikas today correspond to those adopted for Finnish Spitz. Representatives of the breed live for a long time - up to 12-14 years, maintaining physical activity almost throughout this time.

The Karelian-Finnish Laika looks impressive. The red fluffy coat has a warm honey tint, brown or black eyes give expressiveness to the muzzle. Compact body and low height at the withers - no more than 42-50 cm for males and 38-46 cm for females, allow them to remain agile in hunting the animal. The standardized description also includes restrictions on body weight - the weight of dogs, depending on gender, varies from 7 to 13 kg.

The main differences between the Karelian Laikas and the Finnish Spitz have always been in their appearance. The foreign breed, the standard of which is now accepted as a basis, initially had a more attractive phenotype. At the same time, when breeding the Karelian husky, the emphasis was on working qualities. Today, a compromise has not been found, it is just that two branches are bred at once in the standard of the Finnish Spitz - working and decorative.

Compact size, medium height and dry, strong constitution are not the only breed characteristics for which this dog is famous.

The Finnish Spitz (formerly the Karelian-Finnish Laika) has the following characteristics.

• Sturdy square body. The back does not sag, the withers are well defined, the croup is clearly defined, oblique, the abdominal line is tucked up.
• Neck visually short, with abundant edging, in fact, it has a length proportional to the body.
• Limbs straight and strong, set parallel. The hind legs have massive thighs, muscular lower legs, and the hock joint low. The foot is compact, tightly compressed, rounded, the front feet are inferior to the rear ones in size.
• Tail long, reaching to the hock. Forms a sharp bend near the base, is thrown over the back, with the tip hanging down.
• Coat relatively short on the legs and head, body, tail, thighs well pubescent. The fur of the dog is lush, does not adhere to the body; in males in the scapular part, the guard hairs are almost parallel to the body. The characteristic color for the Finnish Spitz is red; the coat is noticeably lighter on the back, cheekbones, ears, legs, and tail. The presence of a white stripe on the chest, specks on the paws is allowed.
• Head compact, oval at the top, slightly convex at the sides. The occiput and brows are not very pronounced, the frontal furrow is smoothed. The stop is well defined, but without excessive emphasis.The head looks harmonious in relation to the body. The muzzle is dry and narrow, has a flat back without humps.
• Eyes planted obliquely, almond-shaped, small in size. The iris is always dark, no exceptions.
• Teeth even and strong, with a symmetrical set. Only a scissor bite is allowed. The jaws are strong.

Defects of the breed, according to the standard, include enlargement of the head and muzzle, massive bones, excessive or too weak curling of the tail. Also, the disadvantages include poor development of the lower jaw, soft pasterns, incorrect ear set.

Finnish Spitz with an iris of a yellow or blue color, large white marks on the body, chest, legs, wavy coat are subject to tribal rejection. Another disadvantage is the nose lobe devoid of pigmentation. Aggressive, vicious animals are not allowed to mate.

The Karelian-Finnish Laika is a cheerful dog with a lively mind and wonderful character. The animal has its own dignity and requires respect. In animal training, one should not show authoritarianism and aggression.

In adolescence and childhood, Karelian-Finnish huskies are incredibly dependent on the owner, their affection may well create some problems in the content. The pet is bored, actively expresses its feelings with loud barking. But extreme obedience and affection as the animal grows up is replaced by independence, turning into stubbornness. However, the Finnish Spitz perfectly feel the mood of the owner and you can still get them to obey.

Dogs are wary of strangers, they hardly tolerate their presence in the territory they consider their own. This makes the Karelian-Finnish Laika a good watchman, able to warn the owner about the approach of strangers. Animals are indulgent towards children, patient enough, capable of becoming good companions for games. But it is better to offer communication with the dog to schoolchildren or adolescents - kids may be too indelicate.

In assessing the behavior of the Karelian-Finnish huskies, the following points should be taken into account.

1. The hunting instinct. The animal, in the absence of field trips, will satisfy its needs for tracking and catching game on the territory of a house or apartment. It is worth providing the dog with a fairly intense burst of energy.
2. Cunning and independence. These two qualities greatly influence the learning process, as the dog quickly cools down to monotonous activities.
3. Intolerance and jealousy of other animals. If in the owner's family the Karelian-Finnish Laika easily adapts and finds its place in the hierarchy, then a common language may never be found with the existing pets. You should be prepared for the fact that there will be only one dog in the house. However, you can get a couple of Finnish Spitz - tribesmen get along well with each other.
4. Loud barking. The dog gives a voice for any reason, anytime, anywhere. The noise of the breed limits the possibility of keeping it in a city apartment.
5. Fearlessness and courage. The real hero, the Karelian-Finnish Laika, is genetically devoid of a sense of fear of danger. At the same time, during the hunt, the animal does not lose its head and easily finds an advantageous position for an attack, remaining invulnerable.

When choosing a Karelian-Finnish Laika puppy, it is very important to correctly determine the sex of the pet. Boys are more freedom-loving and free. Girls are much more affectionate, easier to train. It is necessary to take the baby to the house no earlier than one and a half months of age, experienced breeders advise to postpone the acquaintance at all until the dog reaches 3 months.

For hunting, you can choose an animal that is not ideal in terms of its exterior, but from really proven producers with developed working qualities. To participate in shows and exhibitions, you must initially choose Finnish Spitz from show-class parents with an impeccable appearance. It is only necessary to start a dog "for the soul" if the owner is ready to fully provide the animal with the necessary amounts of physical activity.

When choosing a puppy, you should pay attention to the following important and significant points:

• parent couple's age - it is bad when dogs under one and a half years old are allowed into breeding;
• availability of working and champion diplomas from manufacturers - this is good, but does not guarantee the inheritance of qualities by the offspring;
• ear set - from 6 weeks they take a standard position for the breed;
• number of puppies in a litter - the optimal number is considered to be no more than 5;
• time of birth - the fluffiest fur coats of the winter Finnish Spitz;
• condition of the musculoskeletal system - there should be no signs of rickets;
• general view of the pet - he must be healthy, not haggard, active.

It is possible to create comfortable conditions for keeping the Karelian-Finnish husky only in direct contact with the owner. This is a domestic breed that is not suitable for chain or aviary keeping. Fluffy wool is still not good enough for heating an animal in the harsh Russian frosts. In the warm season, it is permissible to be kept in an aviary connected to the house and equipped with a shed, a house, and everything necessary for a comfortable life.

A puppy in an apartment or house must be given its own place, which he will know. A couch is set up here, toys are placed. It is imperative for the dog to restrict access to the master's bedroom - small Finnish spitzes tend to get into bed, and if you go to meet them, you will have to share the bed with your pet for many years. You can wean a puppy to take up space on the bed by covering the surface with newspapers for the first time of his stay in the house.

Walking Karelian-Finnish huskies begin from one and a half months. For a puppy, being outside should not be too long - 15-20 minutes is enough. This time gradually increases.

The procedure for caring for the Karelian-Finnish Laika is mainly reduced to thorough combing of the dog twice a year - during the molting period. The rest of the time, the pet does not lose its coat, it has practically no specific smell. Coarse guard hair is not prone to tangling; it is enough to comb the pet twice a week with a stiff iron brush. The bathing procedure is carried out no more than 3 times a year. After contact with marsh or river microflora while hunting, the wool is rinsed with clean water.

Eye care comes down to periodic examination and morning removal of lumps that form in the corners of the eyes. Hygiene procedures are performed with a cotton swab dipped in chamomile infusion. When the nature of the discharge changes to purulent, with redness of the eyeball, profuse lacrimation, it is imperative to show the pet to the veterinarian.

The claws are trimmed monthly, and the auricles are examined weekly. Dogs also need regular brushing of their teeth, which has to be repeated at least once every 3-4 days. The procedure is performed using a special attachment and veterinary paste. Dental plaque is removed at home using special chewing sticks from the pet store, however, it is better to periodically remove the accumulated deposits in the veterinarian's office.

An important part of taking care of your pet is protection against blood-sucking skin parasites.

The Finnish Spitz, which is often in the forest, must be regularly examined upon arrival home for the detection of ectoparasites.

Compact Finnish Spitz are not picky about their diet. You can feed them a complete finished product from the age of three months. Dogs are easily accustomed to the standard regimen and are not inclined to beg for supplements. They are given dry food only with the obligatory access to clean water. Teenagers are also given up to 20% of fresh lean meat - beef, veal, it is possible to use pre-frozen products.

Natural feeding involves cutting food into pieces - it is not recommended to give minced meat or heavily chopped food. From 7 weeks, huskies are allowed to give bone cartilage of animals and birds. Bones are allowed to gnaw no earlier than three months of age. From cereals in the first months, it is recommended to give semolina in milk. From 3-4 months they give oatmeal, rice, buckwheat, millet, cooked in meat broth.

For adult Karelian-Finnish huskies, fermented milk products, fresh vegetables - carrots, broccoli, sea fish fillets are useful. It is helpful to offer your dog dried fruit and cheese as treats. With natural feeding it is imperative to include vitamin and mineral supplements in the animal's diet.

This allows you to discipline the animal, shows him that the rules in the house are dictated by the owner. A one and a half month old puppy is fed up to 6 times a day, an eight-month-old animal is already switching to an adult diet with two meals a day.

Karelian-Finnish huskies are animals that are easy to train at a young age. But as you get older, learning new skills becomes a challenge. They quickly lose interest in learning, easily manipulate the owner, begging for tasty treats. It takes up to 30 lessons to work out one command - this seriously delays the process of mastering even a basic set of signals from the owner.

The standard training process is always directly related to the mastering of the basic set of commands by the dog. The first of these is the recognition of one's own nickname. A three-month-old puppy must know his place, come to the call of the owner, and distinguish between prohibitions. The commands "Sit", "Lie down", "Stand" are studied by the age of six months.

Babies born in the spring can already be taught to swim by summer so that the dog is not afraid of water, including fast rivers and cold streams... Learning begins with walks in puddles and shallow water. The dog can then be allowed to swim in shallow water. Developing this skill is especially important for animals that are purchased for use in hunting. After each bathing in an open pond, the dog needs a shower to wash off dirt, dust, and bacterial microflora.

As teenagers, Karelian-Finnish huskies have impressive destructive power. At home, they spoil and gnaw everything, regardless of prohibitions - thus an active dog learns the world. Leaving them alone for a long time is highly discouraged.

In the countryside, the Finnish Spitz has other temptations. An ineradicable hunting instinct provokes the craving to attack poultry. If such an incident happened for the first time, the command "No" is usually enough.

The Karelian-Finnish Laika is a hunting breed famous for its versatility. But experienced fishermen consider it the best choice for catching small fur-bearing animals or wood grouses. Hunting with a dog in this case requires almost no effort - she herself searches for, stops, scares the game, brings a shot animal and a bird.

If interest in the animal does not arise, training is postponed for one or two months. With a certain intensity of preparation, experienced hunters manage to prepare the Karelians for the bear baiting. But this approach can be attributed more to the category of demonstration performances - in the usual hunt for such feats, only very patient and smart huskies are capable of.

The awakening of instincts in the Finnish Spitz often occurs with a great delay - at the age of about one and a half years. There is no need to worry but the work of awakening the hunting interest must be gradually carried on. The puppy is given a beaten bird, animal skins. If there is a more experienced dog, it is taken as an example. Young Karelian-Finnish huskies learn well on the example of an older friend.

When hunting for a large game, dogs of this breed demonstrate amazing accuracy and caution. The dexterous and agile Karelian-Finnish Laika knows how to keep a distance from the furious animal, and its sonorous voice allows to distract the attention of the boar from the hunter. It is worth adding that this persistent and courageous dog has practically no equal in its ability to catch game, as well as its ancestor, the Old Karelian breed.

First of all, it is worth considering authentic Finnish names, which are well suited to representatives of this unique breed. In order for the puppy to remember his nickname faster, it is recommended to choose a short and sonorous combination of letters with a solid ending.

Nicknames associated with local Karelian, Russian toponyms or names of animals harvested with the help of dogs of this breed are no less popular among hunters. Names are characteristic for males: Brave, Fast, Sable, Ural, Aldan, Abrek, Nabat, Suyan, Falk, Yarro. Owners of Finnish Spitz girls can recommend names such as Squirrel, Iris, Accha, Vlasta, Gokto, Egoza, Zateika, Lange, Ora, Sekki, Elfa.

The owners of the Karelian-Finnish huskies always note the cheerful character and rare beauty of their pets. Dogs are kind and affectionate to family members, girls are especially attached to children, often become good companions in their active games. Many Karelian-Finnish huskies show their hunting abilities already at the age of six months.

The Finnish Spitz is an ideal companion for joggers and cycling enthusiasts. The dog is practically indefatigable and is able to withstand many hours of marathons without unnecessary effort.

Owners-hunters consider the Karelian-Finnish Laika one of the best game breeds. It is versatile, indispensable for hunting small fur-bearing animals and poultry, and does not give in to bears or wild boars. The animal works in the water no worse than the cops; they often go on a duck hunt with it. Moreover, the dog does not spoil the bird and delivers it to its owner safe and sound.

You can learn more about the upbringing of the Karelian-Finnish husky in the next video.