Karelian-Finnish Laika - breed description and dog character

Outwardly, Karelian-Finnish huskies are very similar to foxes, so sometimes they can be called Finnish spitz. The breed has common roots with the Karelian bear husky, although it is smaller in size, and the nature of the Karelian-Finnish husky is much more favorable and not a bit inferior in hunting qualities. Dogs of this breed are loyal, funny, smart and energetic. In addition to calling for hunting, representatives of the Karelian-Finnish husky breed can be a faithful companion and reliable watchman.

Origin history

It is believed that the ancestors of the current Finnish Spitz hunted with an ancient man in time immemorial. In the 19th century, high noblemen did not agree to consider huskies as hunting dogs. And only in the north of Russia did they take a smart husk with them to hunt, where once the Russian prince Shirinsky-Shikhmatov was fascinated by the fiery red hunting dogs. The dogs accompanying the persecution of the bear conquered the nobleman so much with his quick wit, amazing hunting qualities and intelligence that the prince noted the geographical area of ​​the breed - the territory of Karelia, the Arkhangelsk and Leningrad regions, as well as Finland.

Yes, the beginning of the 20th century, the breed was formed independently. Within the distribution area, representatives of the breed interfered with blood with other species of domestic dogs, they were attracted for hunting. The strongest, physically and mentally developed dogs with the pronounced qualities of hunting skills survived.

At the end of the 19th century, Finnish hunters from the vicinity of Finland brought two fiery red huskies to the capital of this country. After 12 years, these dogs were isolated in a separate breed called "Finnish Spitz." By the 50s of the last century, this breed became known to all dog breeders in the world. As a modern breed, the Karelian-Finnish husky was registered in 1947.

Characteristic of pedigree characters

Karelian-Finnish huskies are distinguished by luxurious coat of bright red color and remarkable working qualities of a hunting dog. These are energetic and mobile individuals, perfectly oriented during hunting with an excellent reaction. Hunting is the true love of the carriage.

According to the breed regulations, the shape of the head of the Karelians is wedge-shaped, the muzzle stands out brightly. Dark almond-shaped eyes look slightly slanted and are distinguished by the expressiveness of their gaze. Small sharp triangular ears in a standing position are covered with thin wool. The body is dry and compact with a strong back and an elevated withers. The tail is twisted by a ringlet, without refractions. Feet graceful, rounded in shape with black pads. The backbone of the dog is strong and dry with good posture.

The length of the coat varies - on the muzzle and the front lower part of the paws it is short, and on the neck, withers, back of the paws it is quite long, forming “pants”. On the cheeks, the hair looks like whiskers. A beautiful tail is covered with dense and long hair.

The color of the fur can range from bright red, red to golden brown with soft light transitions. Also, the standard permits a white spot on the chest and small grooves on the legs. According to the standard exterior, the Karelian-Finnish husky is quite easy to identify.

The positive sides of the carriages:

• stable mental state;
• minimum dog grooming;
• cleanliness;
• good health, long life expectancy;
• universality (acts as a companion, family dog, ideal for hunting).

Negative sides:

• stubbornness;
• huge appetite, up to gluttony;
• hard to train.

Character

Karelian-Finnish husky is an easily excitable and emotional dog with a cheerful character. Being at a young age, the young carriage will diligently carry out the commands of all households, not even trying to distinguish their master from them. For her, order and cleanliness, mutual relations with the owners and attachment to her place are important. Despite the desire to please everyone, the carriage is independent and independent. This is especially noticeable on the hunt - the dog is guided only by its own considerations.

Karelian-Finnish husky has a friendly character and rarely comes into conflict with other dogs.

Due to its natural energy, the karelka is ready to play with the master's kids with pleasure and is calm about their mischief. Relations with other pets are also favorable, especially if the animals were raised at the same time.

Despite the fact that the breed specializes in hunting skills, the security and guard qualities of the Karelian are excellently developed. Dogs are endowed with excellent hearing and instant reaction. With strangers, the karelka behaves strenuously and suspiciously, but you should not expect a dog from unreasonable aggression.

Training

When training Karelian-Finnish huskies, one should rely on the dog’s own skills and use them when mastering teams. Best of all, carriages perceive training in the form of a game, when the owner is actively attracted by the dog’s sharp scent and delicate hearing. Progress in training of carriages is never quick; one should be patient. Karelian-Finnish huskies are easily distracted, so it is worthwhile to conduct training with a minimal amount of external stimuli.

If it was decided to practice with a dog handler, then choose a professional with the practice of raising hunting dogs. Since Karelian-Finnish likes at a young age are difficult to concentrate on, it is worth giving your choice in favor of individual training.

It should be noted the huge hunting instinct of dogs of the Karelian-Finnish husky breed, due to which already at the age of six months the puppy can begin to work with the owner-hunter. Karelka is reckless and sometimes it’s enough just to come to the forest so that the puppy starts working independently.

Karelka has a movable nervous device, which allows it to easily change one type of hunting for another. Commitment to the owner means a high degree of obedience to this dog. Karelians are indispensable hunting companions due to their correct excitability, calm excitement, loud barking.

Example: on one day, a husky dog ​​will bite a squirrel from morning to evening, and the next day it will gladly go to the bullying of a large beast, for example, a wild boar. Such dogs often do not like water, but unquestioningly jump into the river for the fallen bird and deliver it to their hunter.

But, if there is no desire and need to engage in hunting raising a dog, the Karelian-Finnish husky will be happy to keep the family company. She will delight the household with her joyful and playful character.

Features of care for Karelian-Finnish huskies

Representatives of this breed flaunt in a luxurious fur coat, which is characterized by the absence of a typical dog smell. Huskies are very clean and do not tolerate dirt.

1. The dog experiences molting twice a year when changing the temperature regime - in autumn and spring. If the Karelian-Finnish husky begins to molt constantly, then the reason most likely was the too low humidity in the room keeping the pet. If dandruff appears in the husky hair, then the dog must be urgently shown to the veterinarian and receive recommendations on changing the diet.
2. Bathing a dog requires no more than a couple of times a year.More bathing procedures can remove the natural film from the hairs of the hair. Of course, hunting for waterfowl, the karelka will constantly take water procedures. After such a bath, the owner must certainly gently wash the pet with clean water.
3. But “dry” care for the chic hair of the carriage is required regularly, therefore, at least 3 times a week, the owner should comb the fur coat of the animal with a special metal comb. This procedure is pleasant for the dog, it massages the skin under the coat remarkably and most importantly, it successfully removes dead hairs.
4. At the same time, as a weekly procedure, the owner must carefully treat the husky auricle, carefully monitoring the absence of possible inflammation. Signs of inflammation are both a pain symptom and the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the ear or the appearance of a liquid.
5. Twice a week it is necessary to care for the dog’s teeth, brush them or a special nozzle. To clean the pet’s teeth from tartar, it is necessary to regularly treat it with solid food and sometimes fresh tomatoes.
6. Every month, the dog needs to do a manicure in the form of claw trimming
7. As a daily procedure, the owner of the Karelian-Finnish husky should check the eyes of the animal - if mucus accumulates in the corners, remove it with a cotton sponge or a clean rag.

IMPORTANT! In case of unusual changes in the appearance of your dog, especially if any pain symptoms appear during sanitary treatment, you must immediately show the dog to the veterinarian. Do not look for answers on the Internet, self-medicate and postpone a visit to the doctor.

Do not forget to give the dog mandatory vaccinations. Constantly carry out preventive treatment against fleas. In the season of tick activity, the skin of the dog should be checked after each walk in order to avoid a tick bite and subsequent problems. The most dangerous periods of tick activity are May, July and September. Failure to protect the dog from ticks can lead to infection of the husky with pyroplasmosis and ultimately lead to the death of the pet.

The choice of the necessary drug for ectoparasites should be carried out together with the veterinarian.

It is permissible to keep Karelian-Finnish husky both in a private house and in an ordinary apartment. In the case of living in an apartment, the like must be provided with a constant long walk and the possibility of systematic physical exertion. Walking the carriages should be carried out at least 2 times a day, at least 2 hours. If you neglect these rules, the pet can give the owners an unpleasant surprise at home, pretty naughty.

When kept in a private house, the dog must be provided with a safe enclosure with the possibility of physical activity. Huskies are extremely freedom-loving dogs that are strictly contraindicated to stay on a chain or in a closed room. From this content, carriages can get depressed.

Karelian-Finnish husky food

Karelians are distinguished by an enviable appetite and the ability to eat before overeating. Therefore, the owner should carefully monitor the diet of the dog.

Like food can consist of both high-quality and ready-made purchased food, and a natural diet. When choosing the latter, it is important to balance the dog’s diet with respect to vitamins and minerals.

The puppy is fed 5 to 6 times a day. An adult pet eats 1-2 times a day. A natural diet is given to a dog at strictly room temperature, and feeding takes place within 15 minutes. After this time, the food bowl should be removed from the feeding place. Necessarily for free access to the pet should be clean drinking water.

Buying a dog

First of all, when choosing a dog, pay attention to the baby’s health - such puppies are well-fed, muscular and are proportionally physically built. The hair of young huskies in a healthy state is dense, without bald spots. The eyes of the future pet are clean and clear.

The most important sign of the good nature of your future companion is the willingness to easily get close to people, courage. Such puppies are active, energetic, easily go to people and are not afraid of loud and unexpected noise. The cost of a Karelian-Finnish husky puppy starts at 5 thousand and can reach 25 thousand rubles.

For dogs of this breed, malocclusions, flesh-colored noses of the nose, pigmentation of the eyes are blue or yellow. Dogs are also rejected if there are white spots on the chest or legs and wavy or curly hair on the body. Hostile behavior towards people is unacceptable.

Video: dog breed Karelian-Finnish husky