Laika Karelian-Finnish is of great interest to "urban" hunters. It does not take up much space, is very contact, affectionate, obedient, moves easily during the hunt, and is capable of traveling great distances. The dog is in good health, it needs long walks and proper education.
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Origin history
Karelian-Finnish breed is the smallest of hunting huskies. In 1967, this dog was first described by Pierre de la Montagnard, visiting Karelia. Her ancestors were Finnish bird and Karelian huskies. The breed appeared in those days when Finland was the province of the Russian Empire.
In Soviet times, the main center for breeding and creating the breed was Leningrad. During the Great Patriotic War, almost all the number of dogs was destroyed.
Domestic dog handlers managed to revive the breed, and in the 60s of the last century the first universally recognized standard appeared.
In 2006, the President of the RKF signed an agreement with a Finnish dog training organization to unite the Finnish Spitz and Karelian-Finnish husky breeds under one name - the Finnish Spitz.
Description and characteristics of the breed
Finnish Spitz and Karelian-Finnish husky have small differences - they are medium-sized red dogs with a sharp muzzle and a tail bent into a ring. The Finnish Spitz has less pronounced hunting qualities; it is more a show dog with a beautiful exterior. The husky, on the contrary, has a well-developed hunting instinct, always cheerful, active behavior. During the hunt, she moves freely and easily, at a gallop and trot, tirelessly pursuing prey in the forest.
Finding the game, the Karelian-Finnish huskies call the hunter with a loud bark.If he hesitates, they can come up to him to take him to the place where the beast hid.
Hunting dogs work on small fur-bearing animals and birds. With appropriate training, they can successfully work on a large beast.
Huskies are distinguished by excellent vision, thanks to which they notice the slightest movement of a bird or animal on the branches of a tree. They have good hearing and flair.
Karelian Finnish Laika Life Expectancy
Karelian-Finnish huskies live, on average, 12-15 years. They have strong immunity, there are no genetic, hereditary diseases.
Dogs need to be vaccinated on time, while hunting they are in danger of catching rabies or other infection from wild animals. An important role in maintaining a dog’s health is nutrition.
Dog's purpose
Huskies are suitable for commercial hunting for capercaillie, elk, badger, marten, squirrel, bear (only in pair).
Dogs do not really like water, but some help to get waterfowl by taking out shot ducks from the water.
Karelian-Finnish huskies have a relatively light weight, so they can safely walk on a snowy crust, unlike other hunting dogs. In the northern regions, where there is a lot of snow in the forest in winter, this dog is indispensable. Hunting with a Karelian-Finnish husky is a pleasure for professionals. Making her way through the snowy forest, she tracks the beast in hard-to-reach places, delighting with her perseverance and excitement.
Breed standard and puppy selection
Karelian-Finnish husky is a very elegant dog. Her color can only be red in different shades. Small white marks on the chest, legs and tip of the tail are allowed.
Description of the breed and requirements of the standard:
- the maximum height of males is 48 cm, weight is 15 kg, bitches are slightly smaller;
- temperament is more excitable compared to other likes;
- black nose
- dark, round eyes with a wide viewing angle;
- small erect ears;
- tail bent into a ring.
When buying a puppy, it is advisable to look at his parents. If you want to buy a working dog, you need to ask the owner (breeder) for a photo of the hunt along with his likes.
Puppies of Karelian-Finnish husky have a brown color for up to three months, then become red. In one litter there are always strong and weak babies.
Choosing a healthy pet will help observing how the puppy you like eats and behaves. He should be moderately well-fed, active, curious, with shiny hair, clean eyes and ears.
There may be confusion with the documents. Now, according to the documents of the RKF, all Karelian-Finnish huskies are registered as Finnish Spitz. But Rosokhotrybolovsoyuz (RORs) continues to make a distinction between these breeds. If the documents for the puppy husky were received through POPs, it will appear there as a Karelian-Finnish husky.
In addition to documents, the breeder can ask for a toy with him, so that the puppy experiences less stress when moving to a new place. Be sure to find out what the dog was fed and when they were vaccinated.
Maintenance, care and feeding
With a natural diet, the basis of nutrition is oatmeal. For husky, this is the most digestible porridge. Vegetables and fruits are added to oatmeal. Carrots, apples, dried apricots, prunes and other products of plant origin, grated on a grater.
How to feed a like, how much food to give:
- Up to 2 months of age, they feed 6 times a day, from 2 to 4 months - 4 times, then up to 1 year - 3 times.
- It is necessary to give vitamins and mineral salts.
- In puppy nutrition there should be enough protein (meat, cottage cheese, low-fat fish, boiled egg).
- The meat is raw, frozen. The first time they cut it finely, because the puppy cannot chew.
- You can not overfeed the pet, the amount of feed is controlled by its behavior after eating. He must remain active - walk, run, play.
An adult dog is fed 1 time if it is prone to overweight. You can feed 2 times if the like has a moderate appetite and does not overeat.
Before the hunt, the dog is given some food so that it does not get tired in the forest as quickly as it does on an empty stomach. You can’t feed a lot - it will be difficult to run with a full belly.
During the hunt in the forest, the dog loses a lot of weight, it is fed 2 times - in the morning and in the evening.
Hygienic procedures are standard - bathing and combing, cutting nails (1 time per month), rubbing the eyes and ears (1 time per week). The puppy needs to be introduced to the clipper at an early age so that it is not afraid to cut its claws when it grows up. During molting, comb daily, because the undercoat of the huskies is thick and lush. The rest of the time enough once a week.
Be sure to walk with the dog for a long time, she has an increased need for movement. In the city you can’t walk a pet without a leash - it will run away, succumbing to the hunting instinct.
Training and education Likes
To grow a good hunting dog, the puppy needs to be given a lot of time and attention. The habits laid down at an early age will remain with the pet for life.
It is impossible to wean an adult dog from bad habits.
Karelian-Finnish husky cannot do without education, she has a very independent character. From three to four months you can walk with a puppy into the forest, dragging on a small beast. The first year they deal with marten, squirrel and boar.
Parenting:
- Wean the pet to jump to the chest with its front paws. To do this, when the puppy joyfully jumps again, they take their front paws in their hands and gently press their hind dog fingers with their feet.
- For the convenience of communication in everyday life, the teams are taught: “Sit!”, “Lie!”, “Come to me!”, “Fu!”, “Place!” And others. Team "Fu!" Is very important in the hunt, it will help to take away from the dog bitten dog. For motivation use refreshments.
- Hunting teams pass for a walk in the woods: “There!”, “Bring to me!”, “Forward!” “Stop!” And others. It is important that the dog is not afraid of shots and understands the commands given by gestures.
Many hunters do not teach young huskies standard teams, mastering with them only hunting science. But with a dog that knows the basic commands, everyday relationships at home are much easier. It is very difficult to teach an adult dog something, she will always forget what she has learned.
Laika is very smart and well understands the words addressed to her. The more attention paid to her, the faster she recognizes the authority of the owner and begins to obey him.
The dog can run away while walking and hunting, but it always returns to the place it left. It is advisable not to let the puppy go far in the forest, to call with a whistle, to treat with a cracker.
You need to teach a dog to return quickly in puppyhood so as not to lose it one day on a hunt. If she accidentally goes far, you need to leave on the earth some thing that she can lie on her return. Then the chances of finding her the next day in the marked place will increase significantly.
Pros and cons of the breed
Many people who are not related to hunting want to have a Karelian-Finnish husky because of its attractive appearance. But you must first weigh the pros and cons, to understand the peculiarity of the breed, its purpose.
Pros of the Karelian-Finnish husky:
- excellent hunting qualities;
- learns very quickly;
- differs in good health and attractive appearance.
An adult, well-bred dog is contactable and convenient for keeping in a family, it becomes attached to children and gets along well with them.
Cons of the breed:
- the puppy requires a lot of patience and strength, an individual approach to education;
- the dog has an independent character, constantly checks its owner for “strength”;
- Like you need to devote a lot of time - to walk, engage, go hunting with her.
Karelian-Finnish husky is a dog for experienced dog breeders who are seriously interested in hunting or sports, photo hunting and traveling through the forest. For such people, she will become an indispensable friend and helper.Pensioners and too busy people who cannot devote much time and energy to a dog should better refrain from the temptation to have a puppy of this breed.
