Karelo-Finnish Laika

The Karelo-Finnish Laika is a breed of spitz-type dog from the Karelia area of Russia.

Karelo-Finnish Laika
OriginKarelia region of Finland & Russia
Foundation stockFinnish Spitz
Breed statusNot recognised as a breed by any major kennel club.
Traits
Height 38–50 cm (15–20 in)
Weight 14–16 kg (31–35 lb)
Coat Solid red, occasionally fawn or black with some white markings
Colour Thick double coat
Dog (domestic dog)

History

Prior to the early 20th century, the Finnish Spitz and the Karelo-Finnish Laika were considered the one breed and were common across the Karelia region of eastern Finland and north-western Russia.[1] The events of the Russian Revolution, the Russian Civil War and the Winter War saw large parts of Karelia ceded to Soviet Russia and much bitterness on both sides of the border, Russian advocates of the breed renamed dogs on their side of the border the Karelo-Finnish Laika.[1][2] In the 1950s, Russian breeders imported 2 male and 1 female Finnish Spitz dogs and crossed them with the red-coated spitzes found in southern Karelia - the Olonets Laika and the Karelian Laika. These dogs had a conformation very similar to the Finnish Spitz and proved good at hunting. Later, other Russian breeders would import Finnish Spitzes for further crossings. The offspring fell into two classes - hunters would be rebred for hunting, and the non-hunters would be kept for show dogs.[3] Whilst a popular breed of hunting dog in its home region, it is virtually unknown to the outside world and is not recognised as an independent breed by any kennel club.[1]

Description

Since the renaming of the Karelo-Finnish Laika there has been a very slight divergence from the Finnish Spitz, whilst the Finnish Spitz is only solid red in colour, the Karelo-Finnish Laika can also be fawn or black and can have white markings on the head, chest, legs and tail.[1] The breed has a very fox-like head, a heavy protective coat and a distinctive spitz curled tail, it is described as cheerful, energetic and always eager to please its human handlers.[1]

The breed is used by local hunters to hunt a variety of game including grouse, pheasant, duck, squirrel, hare, fox, marten and bear; it is said to be an extremely enthusiastic hunter capable of working in deep snow.[1]

References
  1. Morris, Desmond (2001). Dogs: the ultimate guide to over 1,000 dog breeds. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing. p. 324. ISBN 1-57076-219-8.
  2. Alderton, David (2008). The encyclopedia of dogs. Bath: Parragon Books Ltd. p. 339. ISBN 978-1-4454-0853-8.
  3. Beregovoy, Vladimir (2019). "Ch2-The Karelo-Finnish Laika". Hunting Laika Breeds of Russia. Rosedog Books. pp. 9–18. ISBN 978-1591460374.
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