Finnish Spitz care, breed standard and description of the dog's appearance with a photo. Karelian-Finnish Laika for hunting Finnish dog breeds

What comes to mind when you hear the word "suomenpyustukorva"? Is it an exotic dish or the name of a distant northern city? No, we are talking about a breed of dog known to us as the Finnish Spitz (aka Finnish Low-Low or Finnish Laika). However, exoticism in this dog is also enough.

The ancestors of the breed spread to the territory of modern Finland and Karelia. These creations of a “sunny” red color seem to have been specially created to bring brightness to the short daylight hours and the unpretentious, even harsh life of their first northern owners.

However, these Spitz are by no means decorative dogs. The Suomi people used furry "helpers" both for hunting and for protection. Over a long period of coexistence with humans, these dogs have developed excellent working qualities in both directions of their "activity", but Spitz are especially good as hunters.

For the first time, bright red dogs common in Finland were described back in 1675 by the French traveler Pierre la Martiniard. For a long time, the breed developed as aboriginal, since there was no targeted selection. And only at the end of the 19th century, two Finnish enthusiastic breeders Hugo Roos and Hugo Zandberg took up the revival of an almost extinct breed. Their efforts were crowned with success, and a few years later the Finnish Kennel Club recognized the breed officially.

A little later, in the Soviet Union, they paid attention to red dogs used for hunting by the population on the territory of Karelia and outwardly resembling a husky. As a result of selection selection by the 60s. In the 20th century, the so-called Karelian-Finnish Spitz was formed - an intelligent dog with a pronounced hunting instinct. This dog was also called Karelian-Finnish Laika or Karelka. Outwardly, he resembled the Finnish "brother" like two drops of water, so international community did not recognize the breed as independent.

See also: Beagle dog - photo, description, character

Since selection in the USSR was carried out with the involvement of the Finnish population of dogs, the typical features that the Finnish Spitz should have according to the standard were indeed common. Based on this, in 2006 an agreement was signed between the RKF and the Finnish Kennel Club, giving the Soviet “Karels” the right to officially be called Finnish Spitz. However, some breeders in the post-Soviet space "for old times' sake" call the dog Karelian-Finnish Laika.

Appearance characteristic

Modern dogs have the same valuable qualities for a hunter as their ancestors. The compact size of the Spitz makes it not at all troublesome to keep it in the apartment. The growth of an adult "little hunter" can vary from 38 cm to half a meter, weight ranges from 7-14 kg. Both parameters depend on the sex of the Spitz.

The fur coat of a thoroughbred animal should have a pronounced red color, possibly with a red tint. Cheeks, chest and belly may be lighter. There may be white markings on the legs and single dark hairs on the back and tail. Other exterior signs by which you can recognize the "Finns" are as follows:

muscular, developed body square format;
a “high” tail bent into a ring, usually lying on the back;
rounded paws;
short soft coat with dense undercoat.

So that you can have an idea of what a standard Finnish Spitz looks like - photos are attached to the description.

Psychology and behavior

"Finns" - a breed that is active and ready to play almost around the clock. If you do not want your little red-haired pet to destroy your home, give him the opportunity to frolic on the street twice a day.

However, remember that the dog no less needs calm and friendly communication with those he loves. Pay attention to the Spitz not only during walks, but also at home.

The dog is characterized by a rather neutral attitude towards children, however, under conditions of proper upbringing, it can become an excellent “furry nanny”. The dog is playful and will not let the child get bored, and also has a high intelligence and can signal a possible danger in time. But ideally, all processes should be controlled by an adult.

See also: Australian Kelpie - Sheepdog with dingo roots

The protective instinct of the Spitz is on top, so do not be embarrassed by the small size of the "saffron milk cap". Feeling threatened, he selflessly rushes to protect his beloved master.

Even if you really like the Finnish Spitz, it makes sense to buy such a dog only after making sure that you can devote a lot of time to its upbringing and training. Spitz are quite capricious and tend to dominate (especially males), so they need to instill norms of behavior from early childhood.

But any hunter will appreciate the dog. After all, the "saffron milk cap" is considered a "universal soldier" capable of successfully hunting most species of animals and game found in our latitudes. Here is an approximate list of animals and birds:

Finnish Spitz or Karelian - Finnish Laika, at first glance may seem like a simple, not particularly remarkable dog. But this is far from being the case, if you look closely at it, you will see how harmoniously and gracefully the animal is built.

Not large size, allows her to live perfectly in the apartment, and care does not require special skills. Of particular importance to the dog is its character and outstanding service qualities.

Perfect for lovers - hunters, fishermen. A good friend, a devoted comrade, a clever huntress. It will be an ideal companion for people with an active life position.

Finnish Spitz - at the suggestion of a French gentleman, was seen in his homeland, where he was especially popular with hunters. It is impossible to say exactly how old it is. During the war, like many others, it could disappear completely. At the end of 1880, it received a new impetus from amateurs, who managed to increase the number and continue breeding.

Laika - “Karelka” received a different, official name “Finnish Spitz” and went to neighboring countries. In the Russian Federation, on the territory of Karelia and St. Petersburg, a significant part of the dogs also remained, which were actively bred by their neighbors - the Finns.

By the end of the 20th century, the dog mainly spread to the territory of America and the EU countries. And to this day in their historical homeland - their number significantly prevails.

Appearance description standard

The Finnish Spitz is an interesting and compact type of dog, its body is square. The tail is cutely curled into a bagel, which gives a special playfulness.

Karelo is a Finnish beauty Laika and her description clearly gives external signs by which one can distinguish the breed.

Weight and height for males: 45 - 50 cm, weight 12 - 15 kg;
Bitches: 30 - 45 cm, weighing 10 - 12 kg;

Bitches are much smaller and lighter, it is easy to distinguish by gender. Outwardly, it looks like a spitz and a little like a fox, the resemblance is especially visible on the muzzle.

Head: medium-sized, wedge-shaped, forehead - wide, not pronounced stop. Reminiscent of the muzzle of a fox, but wider and less pointed.
Muzzle: Medium length, pointed. Dry type, pronounced cheekbones.
Eyes: oval, there is a slight slanting in the corners. The look is direct, interested. Without dampness of the eyelids, full color. Color - brown, different saturation.
Nose: not large, mobile, wide nostrils, color - black, full color. May be slightly brownish, with a certain coat color.
Jaw: Strong, strong enough. Scissor bite, lips close fitting, completely hiding teeth. Color is dark. Teeth white, large fangs.
Ears: the cartilage is hard, the ears are erect, not large, look up, triangular in shape.
Body: square, the neck is rather long, of medium width. With good muscles. Back without sag, wide enough, strong. The croup is slightly sloping, the loin is short. Throughout the body, well-developed muscles, mostly of a dry type. The abdomen is tucked up. There are no skin folds.
Chest: not pronounced, up to the level elbow joint, the transition is explicit.
Paws, tail: the limbs are straight, stand parallel, well-developed muscles, the thigh is wide, strong. The paws are collected in a dense lump, the fingers are rounded with strong claws. The tail is long, twisted into a ring, thrown over the back.

Wool and colors

Karelian Laika is the owner of a chic fur coat. The coat is abundant, straight, fluffy. Pleasant to the touch, quite soft, good undercoat.

Colour: red color, different saturation, there may be spots on the chest of a light (white) color, acceptable, but not welcome Preference is given to a rich fiery red, red and brown color.

Laika should not be feathered, but many owners simply trim the coat in these places, this is common. Outwardly, the brightest color - brick or even copper - red looks beautiful, it may have an admixture of dark hair, but without spots. Reminds me of a fox.

Character of Karelian-Finnish Laikas

Finnish Laika is a bright animal not only in color. The dog is a born hunter, reckless, courageous, fast and very quick-witted. She can be overly emotional, but in her work she is alert and attentive.

It is aimed at a person, but at the same time it can be independent. Needs approval of his actions from the owner, sociable, loves affection and manifestation of love towards himself.

Sometimes it can show notes of stubbornness, but in general there are no problems. He loves his family and tries very hard to protect. Great with children. Knows when to hide. Good-natured, patient and polite friend.

Does not tolerate screaming and rudeness, prefers to avoid conflict. Alert to strangers, but not hostile. Attentive and observant. Like many varnishes, it often howls, even at night.

Training and education

Finnish Laika - requires early socialization, starting from 2 - 2.5 months of age, as soon as she moves to a new owner. It includes:

Getting used to your nickname;
Wearing a leash and collar;
Loud sounds and strangers;
Busy streets, cars.

After he got used to it, start learning the first, not complicated commands:

Sit;
Lie;
It is forbidden;
Place.

As a reward, use a tasty treat and an affectionate word. In the process, you can not punish or shout. To teach hunting craft from 4-5 months, it is better to start with a special training program with a specialist.

The process begins with smells, the dog receives various animal skins and feathers for testing. By this smell, learn to take a trail. Graining is a more complex process, starting with small animals, gradually moving to larger ones. It is better not to use the husky for hunting very large animals - bears, wild boars. The compact size will not allow them to work competently, in strength they will lose and may die.

Such classes, it is better to start after passing the OKD. When the dog already knows the basics, and go hunting - at an older age, starting from 12 - 14 months.

The purpose of the breed and hunting

The Finnish Laika is a commercial hunter by design. They are versatile animals designed to capture smaller prey. With the help of a keen sense of smell, they find a trace and track it down, after which they bring it under a shot. Shot prey is brought strictly to the owner, they can climb into large holes.

They are passionate, quick-witted, stubborn and result-oriented. They work under adverse weather conditions, in forest and swampy areas.

Perfectly sharpened under the bird. The process begins in the early morning, when the sun has not yet come out. At this moment, the bird goes out to feed, the dog quickly calculates it and brings it under the shot, having previously informed the owner that the track has been found.

Perfectly takes a trail in the snow, calculates the marten and drives it up a tree, she has to get away from the persecution on the tops. Large wild animals are usually not approached, they are only driven into a shelter, where they continue to hold, waiting for a person.

Finnish Laika is not whimsical enough in its care. It must be of high quality and permanent. More attention should be paid to wool as an indicator of overall good health.

What to feed your pet

Karelo-Finnish Laika requires competent and sufficient nutrition, appropriate for age and load. by the most in a simple way, there will be feeding with industrial feeds that contain everything you need and do not require cooking.

Natural nutrition is made up of the following acceptable products:

Sea fish;
Not fatty meat;
by-products;
Vegetables / fruits / greens;
Vegetable oils;
Eggs;
Kashi: buckwheat, rice and oatmeal;
Dairy products with low fat content.
Vegetables should be cheese: finely chopped or mashed. Meat - raw, offal - boiled.

Adults eat 2 times a day, after a walk, it is important not to overfeed. Puppies from 4 - 6 times a day up to 3 months, 4 times up to 6 months, 3 times up to 12 months.

It is forbidden to feed:

human food;
Fill food with spices, salt;
tubular bones;
Sweet and chocolate;
River fish;
Grapes and plums;
Citrus;
Bakery products;
Potato;
Pasta.

The quality of life and its duration depend on proper nutrition.

Health and longevity

Karelo dog - Finnish Laika is a fairly healthy pet, with good strong immunity. There is a predisposition to diseases that are inherited:

Dysplasia of large joints;
Diseases of the organs of vision - at an older age;
Endocrine changes, more in females after childbirth;
Diseases of the nervous system;
Problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
Allergy.

Life expectancy with proper care and sufficient physical activity: 12 - 16 years old.

Pros and cons of CFL

Karelian Finnish Laika or Finnish Spitz is a wonderful animal for life with a person. They are perfect for family life and singles.

Small size;
Easy care;
Cheerful and flexible character;
Excellent working qualities;
good nature;

An active breed requiring a constant load;
Increased excitability and emotionality;
They can howl and often bark;
Classes must be held regularly.

In general, it is a wonderful pet, attached to a person, requiring affection and care.

Buying and costing a puppy

Karelo Finnish Laika puppies are sent to a new owner at the age of 2.5 months. At this point, he will have vaccinations and a brand, a puppy metric.

The cost is made up of the following:

Puppy indicators;
Merits of parents (titles, working diplomas);
Recognition of the cattery and breeder;
Future prospects.

The cost of puppies: from 800 to 1200 euros.

Choose only proven catteries and purebred representatives with documents, catteries:

“Suomen”, MO – //karel-fin-layka.ru;
“The Ridge of Yakutia”, Len. Region – //www.lajki.ru;
“KFL hunting club – Arsik” – //www.arsik.ru.

The Karelian-Finnish Laika is perhaps the most deprived of the domestic breeds, whose representatives never received their own standard and were absorbed by the more popular dog clan. Karelian Laikas appeared in Tsarist Russia at the end of the 19th century, and their main concentration was in the north and west of the country. Subsequently, the animals that lived in the border areas began to spontaneously interbreed with Finnish hunting dogs, which led to the birth of a separate breed branch. In fact, these were the first Karelian-Finnish Laikas, with whom the inhabitants of the northern provinces very successfully went to the capercaillie.

In 1936, the Karelians got to the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition, where they pleasantly surprised dog handlers. And in 1939 they even tried to standardize them, but at first the low number of livestock prevented the matter, and then - the Great Patriotic War. In the late 40s, Soviet breeders set out to turn Karelian-Finnish Laikas into universal hunters, starting to knit them with Finnish Spitz. As a result, the animals dramatically improved their exterior performance, which was the impetus for the large-scale import of Finnish Spitz into the USSR and the subsequent uncontrolled pumping of the breed. It got to the point that by the 80s, most individuals from domestic nurseries carried 70% of the blood of the Finnish Spitz.

In 1984, the question of standardizing the Karelian-Finnish Laikas again arose. This time, members of the Leningrad Society of Hunters and Fishermen undertook to solve the problem, who did not bother too much and ranked the animals as a family of Finnish Spitz. However, the final "disbandment" of the breed took place only in 2006, after the chairman of the Finnish Kennel Club and the president of the RKF signed an official agreement, according to which the Finnish Spitz and Karelian-Finnish Laika were declared a single breeding branch and received a common appearance standard. This created the illusion of some sort of orderliness, but did not stop the disputes about the differences between both dog clans. In particular, modern specialists involved in testing the hunting talents of Finns and Karelians assure that the performance of dogs is not the same, and the merging of the two breeds into one did not bring any practical benefit to either the animals or their owners.

Video: Karelo-Finnish Laika

Appearance of the Karelian-Finnish Laika

The Karelian-Finnish Laika is a medium-sized hunting breed with a fluffy "honey" coat and brown or black eyes. The dog has a dry strong type of constitution, almost a square format. "Boys" are on average slightly larger and more massive than "girls". The breed standard defines the following parameters: height at the withers - 42-50 cm (for males) and 38-46 cm (for females); body weight - 12-13 kg and 7-10 kg, respectively.

Head

The skull of the Karelian looks oval on top and slightly convex on the sides. The eyebrows and occiput are not very pronounced, as is the frontal groove. The stop of representatives of this breed is clearly drawn, but not too sharp. The muzzle is narrow, with a flat back, dry.

Jaws and teeth

The jaws of the dog are massive, closed in a tight scissor bite. Teeth strong, even, symmetrically set.

Nose

The lobe is miniature, coal-colored.

Eyes

Karelian-Finnish Laikas have not very large, almond-shaped eyes set somewhat obliquely. The iris of the eye is colored dark.

Ears

Ears set high, erect. The ear cloth is small, pointed in shape, the outer side is hidden under a layer of thick short hair.

Neck

The neck of the Karelian-Finnish Laika is of normal length, but because of the voluminous woolen "collar" it gives the impression of being short and thick.

Frame

The correct "Karelo-Finn" is distinguished by a strong physique. The body of the dog is square in format with a straight back, a massive, sloping croup and well-defined withers. The abdomen is slightly tucked up.

limbs

The legs of the Karelian-Finnish Laika are straight, set parallel to each other. The forelegs are characterized by a developed skeleton, mobile, slightly inclined shoulder blades and a normal pastern. The hind legs of this breed are strong, with fleshy thighs, muscular lower legs and low set hocks. The paws of the dog are rounded, almost cat-like, while the front paws are slightly shorter than the hind ones.

Tail

The length of the tail of the Karelian-Finnish Laika is up to the hock. The part of the tail bordering the base is turned sharply towards the back, because of which the rest of it rushes down and hangs down to the thigh.

Wool

On the head and frontal part of all four limbs, the hair is comparatively short. On the body, tail and hips, the coat is longer, lush, noticeably lagging behind the body. The outer hair on the shoulder blades of males stands out especially - it is hard and stands almost upright.

Color

The backs of the Karelian-Finnish Laikas are more intensely colored and come in rich red or reddish-gold tones. The cheekbones, the inside of the ears, legs and tail, as well as the chest and underbelly of the dog are noticeably lighter. The presence of white patches on the paws and a light blaze on the chest is considered normal.

Disadvantages and vices of the breed

The most typical defects of the Karelian-Finnish Laikas are a large head, a heavy muzzle, an underdeveloped lower jaw, an excessively or insufficiently twisted tail. Quite often among the Karels one can find such deviations from the standard as sharp transitions between shades of color, hung to the sides, ears tilted back or directed towards each other with tips, as well as soft pasterns. If we talk about the disqualifying defects of the breed, then they include:

blue and yellow colors of the iris;
too soft tips of the ears;
any deviation from the standard bite;
wool with a wave or a pronounced curl;
large white marks on the chest and the same "socks" on the legs of the animal;
depigmented lobe;
unreasonable aggression directed at a person.

The nature of the Karelian-Finnish Laika

The Karelian-Finnish Laika is a cheerful, positive creature, but at the same time with a great sense of dignity, which should not be offended even by a beloved and adored owner. In general, “Karelo-Finns” are self-sufficient pets, responding with an even, benevolent attitude to good treatment and distrust and nervousness to a rude, authoritarian style of leadership. By the way, it is easiest to understand that a four-legged friend is offended by the tail, which straightens in irritated animals.

In childhood and adolescence, the Karelian-Finnish Laika gives the impression of being extremely dependent on the owner of the creature. She is obedient, executive, catches every glance of her mentor. But the older a dog gets, the faster its sense of self-worth grows. So stubbornness and independence are traits that you will almost certainly find in a four year old Karelian and almost never in puppies. However, if it seemed to you that Karelian-Finnish huskies are fixated only on themselves, then it really seemed to you. The Finnish Karelian Spitz is a good telepath and perfectly feels the mood of his own owner. He is far from slow-witted, so he quickly realizes what actions are expected of him, and in accordance with this he builds his own line of behavior.

Karelian-Finnish Laikas frankly dislike strangers who suddenly invade private territory, so raising a house watchman from a representative of this breed is as easy as shelling pears. As for the kids, the dogs have friendly relations with her, although not always ideal. That is, the karelka, of course, is not averse to playing catch-up with the kids, but in response to violence or outright infringement of their own rights, they can make a warning “Woof!”. In general, Karelian-Finnish Laikas are very convenient companions not only for professional hunters, but also for those who follow an active lifestyle. They will never refuse to run around the city parks with their owner and will gladly go to any picnic, you just have to whistle.

Education and training

The main difficulty in training Karelian-Finnish Laikas is the dog's rapid loss of interest in classes. Yes, the Finnish Spitz is ready to learn, but not for long and for a treat. In addition, in order to work out the command to automatism, a representative of this breed will need at least 25-30 repetitions, which is not so little.

Karelian training begins in the standard way - with the pet recognizing its own nickname and the habit of settling down in the place allotted to it in the apartment. You need to work out the basic commands with the puppy very carefully and in doses so as not to overwork the baby. At three months, the Karelian-Finnish Laika should begin to get acquainted with such commands as “Sit!”, “Come!”, “No!”. From the same age, if you have a spring dog, you can teach her swimming lessons. Start by simply walking in warm puddles, gradually moving on to swimming in streams and other shallow waters. When the Karelian-Finnish Laika starts hunting, this skill will come in handy. Just do not forget to wash the animal after each such swim. clean water to clean wool from bacteria and microorganisms living in open water.

At a young age, Karelian-Finnish Laikas are extremely destructive creatures, so you have to come to terms with the inevitability of material damage. It is important to understand that the puppy is not naughty out of harm, he just develops in this way and gets acquainted with the surrounding reality. If you plan to visit the countryside with your Finnish Spitz, train your dog to respond appropriately to poultry, for which the good old "No!" command will do. If it was not possible to control the pet, and he has already strangled a chicken or a goose, punish the four-legged bully without leaving the crime scene. Let things go on the brakes one and only time, and the Karelian-Finnish Laika will entertain itself for life hunting for bird herds.

Hunting with Karelian Laika

Despite the versatility of the breed in terms of hunting, with Karelian-Finnish huskies it is more expedient to go to small fur-bearing animals (squirrels, martens) and capercaillie. Carrels are excellent at finding and stopping game, skillfully scaring the animal under a shot, and finally fetching the shot prey. Theoretically, it is possible to bait a puppy from the age of four months, but not all huskies at this age have sufficient intelligence. So if at the first lesson the dog does not show interest in the animal, it is worth waiting another month or two. By the way, the training of the Finnish Spitz on a bear, which has become unexpectedly popular in Lately, is more of a show than a real hunt. It's one thing to bark at a decoy clubfoot at a baiting station, and quite another to provoke a wild potapych at his native lair. Of course, in the biography of individual Karelian women, this type of hunting also takes place, but this is already aerobatics, which the chosen ones manage to do after numerous and tedious trainings.

Sometimes the hunter's instinct can doze off in a Finnish Spitz for up to a year and a half. You should not be afraid of this, since the Karelian-Finnish Laikas are excellent at catching up. The main thing is to keep your pet interested in work. For example, you can periodically give animal skins or a beaten bird for personal use to a puppy. If you have a second dog that has already taken part in the hunt, take her for training as well. Looking at the behavior of an older comrade, the puppy will definitely try to copy it.

In working with a large animal, representatives of this breed are especially careful, they do not lose their minds and never forget about the rules of their own safety. From an angry boar, the Karelian-Finnish Laika keeps at a respectful distance, while not ceasing to bark at him. By the way, such a cautious approach does not affect the prey in any way: without a trophy, red-haired Karelians almost never leave the forest.

The Karelian-Finnish Laika is not an open-air dog, much less a chain dog. Her place is in the house, in the company of a kind, understanding owner and members of his family. In addition, despite the fact that among hunters this type of husky enjoys a reputation for being "cold-resistant", Russian frosts are not for her. As a compromise, the pet can be periodically moved to a booth in the yard, but only in the warm season. And by the way, do not really count on the fact that the furry hunter will be very pleased with such a move.

Equipping a separate sleeping place for a puppy in the house is a must, as well as accustoming him to it. Otherwise, in your absence, the Finnish Spitz will rest on your own bed. So in the first weeks of the dog's stay in your home, do not be too lazy to cover an expensive sofa with newspapers - huskies usually do not encroach on a rustling bed.

From a month and a half, Karelian-Finnish Laikas begin to walk. The first walks can last 15-20 minutes, but as the dog grows older, they should be increased. It is optimal if the animal is taken outside twice a day for 2-3 hours. This is especially important for Karelians living in a large city, who need to compensate for the absence of the opportunity to hunt by walking. By the way, because of the developed stalking instincts, huskies are taken out of the house on a leash, otherwise there is a risk of losing the perky saffron milk cap forever.

Hygiene

You won’t have to be on duty near the Karelian-Finnish Laika with a furminator and lotion to facilitate combing, since the coat of representatives of this breed is problem-free, almost does not smell like a dog and sheds twice a year. The karelian is combed with a metal comb a couple of times a week and daily during the molting period. You can bathe an adult dog no more than 2-3 times a year. Remember that the husky, who regularly goes hunting, already takes unscheduled baths, jumping into the swamps for the shot game.

The eyes of the Karelian-Finnish Laika are relatively healthy, not prone to the formation of nitrous, so they do not require special care. The only thing - do not forget in the morning to remove lumps from the eye corners, the formation of which provokes dust that has fallen on the mucous. To do this, soak a clean cloth in chamomile infusion and gently wipe your eyes. If you notice purulent discharge, redness or increased tearfulness in your pet, visit a specialist - herbal decoctions alone cannot eliminate such problems.

Once a week, it is necessary to set aside time for a thorough examination of the dog's ears, and once a month, the Karelian-Finnish Laika should have its nails trimmed. Brushing teeth for karels is also required, so every 3-4 days arm yourself with a toothpaste and brush head and treat the ward's mouth. It is more correct to remove plaque in the veterinary office, but preventive measures to combat it can be taken at home. In particular, treat your Finnish Spitz regularly with pressed treats from the pet store and fresh tomatoes.

Finnish Spitz against the background of other, larger huskies look like real little ones. At the same time, the energy from these red-haired creatures gushes like a fountain. Breeders usually already feed three-week-old puppies, so by 2-3 months, Karelian babies completely switch to an adult table. Approximately 20% of a teenage dog's diet is lean meat. It is better if it is not a frozen product, but a steam room. The first option is also possible, but only after a thorough thawing.

Meat is always given to puppies of the Karelian-Finnish Laika cut into pieces and never in the form of minced meat, flying through the digestive tract at an accelerated pace and not bringing saturation. Bone cartilage too useful product and a source of natural collagen, so their likes can be as early as 7 weeks of age. But with the bones it is better to wait until the puppy is at least 3 months old.

It is better to start introducing the animal to cereal products with milk semolina porridge, after a month or two replacing it with oatmeal. Millet, rice, buckwheat also have a place on the menu of the Finnish Spitz, but they will have to be cooked in meat broth, since not a single dog will voluntarily push cereal boiled on water into itself. Low-fat sour milk, vegetables (especially carrots), boneless sea fish are very useful for Karelian-Finnish huskies. An excellent treat for a pet will be dried fruits (not candied fruits) and cheese, but they should be given in portions and not enough.

Food in the dog's bowl should be superimposed without a margin. If the Karelian-Finnish Laika has not finished the proposed dish, 15 minutes after the start of feeding, the bowl is removed, and the portion is reduced next time. This approach disciplines the animal, teaching it not to leave food for the next call. At 8 months, the puppy begins to eat according to the "adult" schedule, that is, twice a day. 1.5-month-old Karelians are fed frequently - up to 6 times a day, with each subsequent month reducing the number of meals by one.

Important: Karelian-Finnish Laikas, eating natural products, need vitamin and mineral supplements, since it is extremely difficult to balance the diet of a hunting dog on its own.

Health and diseases of Karelian-Finnish Laikas

Karelian-Finnish Laikas have a predisposition to joint dysplasia, dislocation of the limbs, and a little less often to epilepsy. Otherwise, they are quite healthy dogs with strong immunity.

How to choose a puppy

First, look at the puppy's parents and find out their age. It is better not to take Karelian-Finnish Laikas from a too young pair (female and male less than 1.5 years old).
Do not place too high hopes on the working and champion diplomas of the baby's mom and dad. Winners are not born, they are made.
6-week-old puppies of the Karelian-Finnish Laika should already have ears standing up. However, there is a small percentage of animals in which the ear lining rises only by 3 months. In this case, it is better to wait an extra couple of weeks to determine exactly who is in front of you - a worthy representative of the Karelian family or a tiny impostor.
Pay attention to the number of puppies in the litter. Better if there are less than 6.
The quality of the baby's coat is also important, but it should be remembered that the Karelian-Finnish Laikas born in winter have the most spectacular "fur coats".
Carefully study the pedigree of a potential pet. If the same nicknames with the same numbers are repeated in it, this indicates that the breeder is fond of inbreeding (closely related crossing), and this is fraught with serious developmental deviations and external defects for litters.
Evaluate the gait of a Karelian-Finnish Laika puppy. A healthy animal should have straight limbs without signs of rickets and move freely. If the puppy “thinks” before lying down or sitting down, not everything is fine with its musculoskeletal system.
Groomed puppies with signs of a hernia, dirty ears and festering eyes undoubtedly cause pity, but to take such an animal means to get a lot of problems in the kit and forever give up the dream of walking around the ring with a pet.

The price of the Karelian-Finnish Laika

The cost of Karelian-Finnish Laika puppies with a pure pedigree and RKF metrics starts from 25,000 rubles and ends in the region of 75,000 - 80,000 rubles. In the first case, these will be ordinary working dogs with possible defects in appearance, but developed hunting instincts. In the second - animals with a reference exterior and championship prospects, with which it is not a shame to go to foreign exhibitions.

Scandinavia is a northern European region that includes Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. Dogs originating in Scandinavia are often referred to as Scandinavian. They are able to withstand low temperatures, help the owner in hunting and protect his family and livestock in the conditions of the far north.

Norwegian dog breeds

Norwegian Buhund, Norwegian Gray Elkhund, and Norwegian Lundehund are all breeds native to Norway. The Buhund is used primarily as a herding dog, while the Elkhund and Lundehund originally helped their owners with hunting. The Elkhound can track and hunt elk and deer, and the small Lundehound was bred to hunt puffins and forage for their eggs in coastal rocky areas.

norwegian buhund

norwegian gray elkhound

norwegian lundehund

Swedish dog breeds

Sweden is known as the birthplace of the other three Spitz breeds: the Swedish Elkhound, the Nordbotten Laika and the Swedish Lapphund. The Swedish Elkhound (Jamthund) and the Nordbotten Laika were bred for hunting and guarding property. To realize their watchdog qualities, no additional training and training is required. The Swedish Elkhound is still used to hunt elk, and the Nordbotten Laika is still used to hunt rabbits and squirrels.

The Swedish Lapphund is one of the oldest dog breeds and was originally used to protect and protect deer in the ancient hunting tribes that inhabited Scandinavia during the Neolithic or Stone Age.

swedish elkhound

Nordbotten Laika

Swedish Lapphund

Danish dog breeds

The Old Danish Pointer and the Danish Chicken Dog are two breeds that are often confused. The Old Danish Pointer is taller and stronger than a chicken dog and is used for hunting waterfowl. The Danish Chicken Dog has a stockier build, longer ears, and is generally a working all-around breed. Another Danish breed, the Broholmer, also known as the Danish Mastiff, can be described as a gentle giant. The Broholmer was previously used as a guard dog by fairly wealthy Danish families.

Old Danish Pointer

Danish chicken dog

danish mastiff

Finnish and Icelandic dog breeds

Finnish Spitz and Icelandic Shepherd - both breeds are of Scandinavian origin, but they are bred for completely different purposes. The agile Finnish Spitz is a "barking" hunter that barks to alert hunters to the whereabouts of partridges or squirrels. The second breed, the muscular Icelandic Sheepdog, is used for guarding and grazing livestock and searching for lost lambs. However, despite the natural ability to find sheep and lost livestock, the Icelandic Sheepdog does not have an innate hunting instinct.

finnish spitz

Finnish Spitz (Fin. Suomenpystykorva, English Finnish Spitz) is a hunting dog breed, whose homeland is Finland. It is a versatile hunting dog, able to work both on birds and rodents, and on large and dangerous animals, such as a bear and a wild boar.

At the same time, its main function is to find the beast and point the hunter at it, or distract it. At home, and today it is widely used for hunting, although it is friendly by nature, loves children and gets along well in the city. It has been the national breed of Finland since 1979.

The breed was on the verge of extinction, but lovers saved it.

This is an exclusively hunting breed, its instincts have evolved over thousands of years.

She barks and barks a lot. In Finland, they even organize barking competitions.

Loves people and children, well suited to living in a home with small children.

But with other animals it gets along so-so, but you can teach it not to react to pets.

History of the breed

The Finnish Spitz originated from dogs that inhabited Central Russia for thousands of years. Located in remote northern regions, Finno-Ugric tribes have developed a dog that fully meets their needs. Their life largely depended on dogs, their ability to find game.

These tribes were quite isolated from each other, dogs rarely came into contact with other types. The first Finnish Spitz developed as a purebred breed, clearly focused on hunting.

On the territory of modern Finland, they did not change for hundreds of years, since the harsh climate and distance did not contribute to this.

By 1880, the advent of the railroad meant that the different tribes were no longer separated from each other. This led to a blurring of the boundaries between them, and the dogs began to actively interbreed with each other.

Beautiful, purebred dogs are beginning to be replaced by mestizos. And so active that they practically disappear.

Around the same time, Finnish sportsman and hunter Hugo Rus met the Finnish Spitz while hunting in the northern forests with his friend Hugo Sandberg. They appreciated the hunting qualities of these dogs and decided to select pure representatives of the breed in order to revive it.

Sandberg became the first compiler of the breed standard. In 1890 he wrote an article about the Finnish Spitz for the magazine Sporten. This article made it possible to spread the word about the breed to a wide audience of hunters, which led to an increase in popularity.

In the same year, the Finnish Kennel Club was created. Since dog shows in Europe are becoming incredibly popular, each country strives to show its breed, the first task of the club is to find native breeds. Sandberg continues to fight for the breed, seeking help from the FKC.

The English Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1934, but subsequent wars severely affected the population. Fortunately, it was later restored. The Finnish Kennel Club has revised the breed standard six times, most recently in 1996. In 1979, when the club celebrated its 90th anniversary, the Finnish Spitz was recognized as the national breed of Finland.

Description

As befits the heir of the wolf, the Finnish Spitz is very similar to him. However, the color is more like a fox. Thick hair, pointed ears and a sharp muzzle, tail in a ball - a typical appearance for any representative of Spitz-shaped.

This is a square dog, approximately equal in both length and height. Males are noticeably larger than females.

At the withers, they reach 47-50 cm, females 42-45 cm. The formation of dewclaws on the front and hind legs is characteristic. On the back they are removed necessarily, on the front at will.

This breed lives in a northern climate and its coat is well adapted to frost. The coat is thick, double. A soft, short undercoat and a long, harsh outer coat form a reliable protection.

On the head and front of the legs, the hair is shorter and lies closer to the body. The length of the outer coat is 2.5-5 cm, but on tows it can reach 6.5 cm.

Newborn puppies resemble foxes. They are dark gray, black, brown, fawn in color with a lot of black. Puppies that are fawn or with lots of white are not welcome in the show.

An experienced breeder can predict the color of an adult dog, but this is difficult, as it changes as it grows.

The color of adult dogs is usually golden red, with variations from pale honey to dark chestnut. There is no preference for any one shade, but the color should not be uniform.

Generally, the coat is darker on the dog's back, becoming lighter on the chest and belly. A small white spot is allowed on the chest (no more than 15 mm), for example White color on the tips of the paws, but not desirable. Lips, nose and eye rims must be black.

Character

For thousands of years, huskies have only been used for one thing: hunting. As a result, they have their own, unique style. Laika runs ahead and looks for an animal or a bird. As soon as it finds it, it gives a voice (from where it came from - like), pointing to the prey. If the hunter cannot find the source of the sound, then the dog continues to bark until it is found.

At the same time, the Finnish Spitz uses a trick, starting to bark quietly and softly. As the hunter approaches, the barking volume increases, masking the sounds that the person makes.

This gives the prey a false sense of security, and the hunter can get within range of the shot.

It was barking that became a feature of the breed and in its homeland it is known as “a dog that barks at birds”. Moreover, barking competitions are even arranged. You need to understand that this property is preserved in any conditions and can become a problem if the dog lives in an apartment building.

It is necessary to teach the puppy to be silent as soon as the owner gives the command. In addition, barking is a way to show your rank in the pack and the owner should not allow the dog to bark at him.

Finnish Spitz perfectly understand the hierarchy of the pack, which means that the owner must be the leader. If the dog begins to believe that it is the main one, then do not expect obedience from it.

Stanley Coren, in his book The Intelligence of Dogs, classifies the Finnish Spitz as a medium breed. They understand a new command from 25 to 40 repetitions, and obey the first time in 50% of cases. It is not at all surprising, given that this dog is a full-fledged and independent hunter. The Finnish Spitz is self-willed and requires a strong but soft hand.

The most important thing in training is patience. These are late maturing dogs, lessons should be short, creative, entertaining. They get bored with monotony very quickly.

A born hunter, the Finnish Spitz is not at all like a couch potato.

He loves snow, frost and running. Without the necessary level of activity, without an outlet for energy and without hunting - it can become uncontrollable, harmful and even aggressive.

As you would expect from a hunting breed, the Pomeranian will go after anything and everything. Because of this, it is better to keep the dog on a leash when walking, especially since it is very independent and can completely ignore the command to return.

This is a very socially oriented dog that is attached to the family and loves children. What else she is good for is that if the child strains her, she prefers to retire. But still, do not leave the child and the dog unattended, no matter how obedient it is!

Care

Quite an undemanding breed in care. The coat is of medium length and should be brushed regularly. The dog sheds once or twice a year, at this time the coat falls out very actively and it needs to be combed out daily.

Health

Strong breed, as befits a hunting dog with thousand years of history. Life expectancy is 12-14 years.