The Karelo-Finnish Laika is the smallest Laika of Russia. Smallish red-coated Spitz has been a common hunting dog of peasants in Poland, Finland, Karelia and northwestern Russia since very old times. In the past, in Poland and Russia, red-coated Spitz was crossed with scent hounds to improve winter coat of the hounds. Despite presence of diverse introduced breeds in the home range of these dogs and interbreeding, local hunters liked their small red-coated Spitz dogs and bred them more or less pure until 1930. Traits of these dogs still can be seen today in the appearance and hunting enthusiasm of smallish local mongrels seen on streets of villages of northwestern Russia.
Origin.+> Major centers of formation of the breed in Russia were Petrozavodsk, Moscow and Leningrad. In 1930-1940 of XX Century, near Medvezhyegorsk, Karelia, a Government's Kennel raised small red-coated Spitzes pure. Although conformation of these dogs was not perfect, the Kennel together with enthusiasts among local hunters helped to increase number of similar looking dogs. During World War II, many dogs were lost. In 1951, in Petrozavodsk, there were 24 registered dogs. Majority of them was lost to rabies. In 1953, Russian cynologists imported two males named Bodryi and Sokol and one female named Pika of the Finnish Spitz from Finalnd and crossed them with still remaining red-coated small Spitzes found in Southern Karelia and northern provinces of European part of Russia, the Olonets Laika and the Karelian Laika. In Leningrad, local dogs used for breeding were proven good at hunting and had conformation very similar to the Finnish Spitz. In the beginning, the breed was named the Finno-Karelian Laika and then, the Karelo-Finnish Laika. In Moscow, Finnish Spitzes imported from Finland were also used. By 1970, in Moscow alone, total number of Karelo-Finnish Laikas was about 200 dogs. Other breeders often used Finnish Spitzes imported from Finland. Voilochnikov and Voilochnikov (1982) admit that the Karelo-Finnish Laika is closely related to the Finnish Spitz and is naturally similar to it. However, there are some differences. Among Finnish Spitzes there are many dogs raised for generations by not hunters only as show dogs and this weakened the hunting ability in some show lines. Developing the Karelo-Finnish Laika, Russians wanted to get a portable dog strictly for hunting purposes. It was intended to be versatile, with endurance for work in harsh climate and with beauty of the Finnish Spitz. Actually, the Karelo-Finnish Laika is a sibling breed of the Finnish Spitz. Some subtle differences include somewhat closer to the body guard hair, a wider variation of the intensity of the red coat color and presence of white markings on the chest in many dogs. Carriage and curving of the tail over the back is not very strict allowing some variation. This is a healthy genetic variation that existed among local dogs in their aboriginal state.
This is the smallest Laika used for hunting in Russia. Males are 17-19 inches at the shoulder and females are 16-18 inches at the shoulder. Body structure of males is almost square and females are slightly rangy.
Coat. +> Coat of the Karelo-Finnish Laika is a double coat of straight harsh guard hairs and soft thick undercoat. By comparison with the Finnish Spitz, the coat of some of the Karelo-Finnish Laika is closer to the body. The coat color allowed by the standard is only red of various shades, but pale red is not desirable. The red color is lighter inside ears, on cheeks, chin, lower part of the chest, abdomen, inner side of legs and lower side of the tail. White spots are permitted on the chest and tip of the tail. A white longitudinal marking is also allowed on the forehead. In the Karelo-Finnish Laika white spots may be larger than in the Finnish Spitz. Black tips of guard hairs on the back and near tip of the tail are also allowed.
Breeding.+> Females of the Karelo-Finnish Laika mature by age of eight months have estrus two times per year and give birth to one-seven puppies per litter.
Barking.+> Some hunters report that the Karelo-Finnish Laika is less barky than the Finnish Spitz. Nevertheless, it is the most excitable Russian Laika and barks by any slight reason.
Attitude to humans.+> Karelo-Finnish Laika is an affectionate and friendly with the family dog. Howevber, he is often aloof and mistrustful with strangers. Some dogs guard their masters and their property. They always warn by barking, when someone is coming. According to Laika experts and owners of these dogs in Russia, they should be treated with patience, because of their sensitivity to the mood of the master. Once beaten, the dog becomes sulky and refuses to come up when called. This may last for a few days and some dogs become permanently mistrustful with the owner.
Attitude to other dogs.+> The Karelo-Finnish Laika is aggressive to unfamiliar dogs coming close to the house where they live. They live well with adult dogs and puppies of the same household and never start fights with dogs met far away from home. This makes them convenient to be taken for a walk in a city park and other places open to people with their dogs.
Attitude to domesticated and wild animals. +> The Karelo-Finnish Laika is inquisitive and will test wild animals as a potential game since puppy age. If raised in the presence of farm animals, the Karelo-Finnish Laika learns easily to live in peace with them. The Karelo-Finnish Laika has particular interest to grouses and squirrels, because they are among his favorite game.
Utilitarian qualities. +> Small size of the Karelo-Finnish Laika is a certain advantage allowing keeping them inside and for transportation. It is an excellent hunting dog for grouses, squirrel and other small game. They are particularly good for hunting capercailie. During the hunting search the Karelo-Finnish Laika gallops most of the time. These dogs strongly prefer hot tracks. Like all Laika breeds, the Karelo-Finnish Laika is versatile and always eager to try a new game, if desired. Thus, in field trials, some of them bay wild boar and even attack bear aggressively. However, using them for big game is not practical. Being very excited with small game, they will be constantly busy with squirrels or grouses. Under this circumstance, it is difficult to switch their attention to a bigger game. Besides, small size of the Karelo-Finnish Laika does not permit it to move fast enough in deep snow, swamps, thick tall grass or other kind of difficult terrain. Some of the Karelo-Finnish Laikas are reluctant to swim.
Attractive appearance and live and friendly temperament of Karelo-Finnish Laikas make them interesting family dogs. Besides, they all are very alert and make perfect natural alarm dogs. If you have a Finnish Spitz from a good hunting strain, which hunts well, you do not need a Karelo-Finnihs Laika. However, if you are not satisfied with hunting performance of your Finnish Spitz, try a Karelo-Finnihs Laika. It is truly a good hunting dog.