Karelian Bear Dog: characteristics of an adult and a puppy

Care and maintenance

The Karelian dog, like all aboriginal animals, has excellent health.
Nature has endowed her with strong immunity and endurance. She does not require special care. It is enough to comb her thick fur a couple of times a week, wipe off dust with a damp cloth, monitor the condition of her teeth and ears, and visit the dentist if necessary.

The dog does not have a specific dog smell and does not require frequent bathing. Wash it as it gets dirty with special dog shampoos no more than once every six months. A spacious enclosure is more suitable for keeping her.

The dog does not like confined spaces and needs constant physical activity. An hour's walk twice a day is not enough for him. In an apartment he will feel uncomfortable and bored. He needs fresh air and space. It tolerates both heat and cold equally well.

Under heavy loads, Karelian claws usually grind down on their own and cannot be trimmed. She does not suffer from eye diseases. If your eyes become sour, it is enough to rinse them with tincture of chamomile decoction.

Training and education

Karelka has an independent character. Therefore, it is quite difficult to train her. She does not tolerate violence against herself, she is very stubborn. It requires an individual approach, which not every amateur can handle. In this case, it is better to contact a professional dog handler.

Like any animal, a bear dog must be taught socialization from an early age so that the dog can calmly accept people, dogs of other breeds, and does not rush at cats. It is necessary to develop hunting abilities in a bugbear dog and master a SKD course.

Attention! For his pet, the owner must be an authority who must be obeyed unquestioningly. Games of two bugbears

Hunter's Purpose

The process is different from hunting with other representatives of four-legged animals. The Karelian dog is a generalist, he works not only with small game, but also with large predators: elk, wild boar, bear, bison.

Increased endurance and excellent performance help her even against large and dangerous bears. She is careful, does not come close, and stubbornly drives him to the place where he will wait for the owner. Bad weather conditions or dense, swampy forests are not scary for her. I see the goal - I see no obstacles.

You should be careful, do not let go of a significant distance, be nearby. Due to the lack of fear and natural excitement, they can sometimes go too far, which provokes predators to quickly defend themselves. There is a possibility of damage, so be close and take quick action.

Reviews from hunters about the breed

Peter . I have a bear cub girl, Bullet. I go hunting for martens and squirrels. She barked at a moose a couple of times and once at a bear, but from afar. She’s still young, she’s only a year old. It usually works nearby, but it can also run away and then appear from somewhere in the bushes. Loves to follow the trail. I ran after the hare a couple of times. Doesn't want to work in pairs. Angry, angry, snapping, refusing to work.

Mikhail . My Daggr started working for six months. Before that I went with the Easterners. No dog started so early, usually at two years old. Following a fresh trail, it can follow the fur for a kilometer and a half or two, but it returns. While we are looking for squirrels and martens. He drove the badger. I'm slowly baiting the wild boar.

We offer you to watch a video about a rare breed of dog in Russia, the Karelian Bear Dog.

Pet care

Since the breed is intended for living and working in conditions of hunting and wild nature, it does not require specific care and is unpretentious. By following the rules of nutrition and providing the necessary activity, the animal will remain healthy.

Behind the wool

The coat of such dogs is short and dense, and, therefore, it practically does not tangle. The molting period is quite abundant and occurs twice a year.

For combing, use a metal comb or brush, and during periods of intense hair loss and change of hair, it is recommended to use a furminator.

Important! Individuals of the Karelian Laika breed do not have the traditional smell of dogs, and therefore there is an opinion that they are hypoallergenic. However, their undercoat is quite dense and is subject to shedding twice a year, and dust particles from the down coat can aggravate an allergic reaction.

Bathing

You don't have to bathe the animal to remove dirt from your dog's fur. The husky's coat is very dense and not long, and you can get by with removing traces of dirt by wet wiping.

It does not have a strong odor when wet and without bathing. You can bathe her 2-4 times a year and this will be enough (subject to regular participation in exhibitions).

Inspection for infections and mites

After walking in nature, especially if it is a forested area, the chances that parasites such as ticks or fleas will appear on the dog’s fur are quite high.

In order to avoid negative consequences from the action of these pests, it is necessary to take certain preventive measures: inspect the dog’s coat, remove thorns and debris.

Every year it is necessary to carry out routine vaccination of Karelian Laikas against canine distemper, rabies and enteritis, as well as regular treatments to prevent the appearance of worms and parasites every few months.

There is no genetic predisposition to any diseases in animals of this breed.

Breed activity

The Karelian bear husky must be active, be in the fresh air for a long time with the ability to move freely, and run for at least 3 hours every day.

If you limit its physical activity, the dog can get sick and even die. Since the dog can show aggression, if it is kept in an urban environment, it is necessary to wear a muzzle and a leash while walking.

Possible diseases

Reviews from owners of the Karelian Bear Dog breed indicate that the four-legged pet is incredibly healthy. Experts say that during the entire existence of these dogs, not a single case of inherited disease has been recorded.

And if the dog is properly cared for, it can live 14-15 years. Care includes high-quality long walks with increased activity, a complete and balanced diet, timely vaccinations, and preventive visits to the veterinarian approximately once every six months.

However, there is a fly in the ointment regarding health - these are parasites, in particular fleas. The thick coat of dogs serves as fertile ground for them. For preventive purposes, it is worth regularly inspecting and treating the wool. Increased attention should be paid in the spring and generally during the warm season, when parasite activity is at its peak.

Karelian Bear Dog puppies

In addition, it is not recommended to overfeed your four-legged pet. Otherwise, he will gain excess body weight, which will make him passive and painful.

Proper nutrition

The diet of the Karelian Laika must comply with the norms of proper nutrition for medium and large breeds of dogs. So, you can use ready-made food, canned food, and also offer your pet natural products in ready-made form.

They don't eat much, but their food should be healthy and wholesome. Young individuals should eat meat, poultry, fish, meat trimmings, and offal. All this should take up half of the daily diet along with cereals, this can be buckwheat, millet, oatmeal, as well as vegetables, fruits, cottage cheese and boiled eggs.

There are foods that dog breeders do not recommend eating: potatoes, pork, poultry bones. It is forbidden to give sweets and fatty foods. In order for the musculoskeletal system of a young husky to be strong and powerful, additional vitamins, fish oil and calcium can be administered.

For an adult dog, the amount of meat in the daily diet is gradually reduced compared to the period of its active growth.

Nutrition

It is the main and most important aspect of keeping dogs of this breed. It must be of high quality and properly balanced. Considering that bear cubs have a fairly active temperament, their food should be high in calories and easily digestible. By their nature, they are not subject to individual reactions to certain food components, which gives owners complete freedom of choice between homemade food and special food. At the same time, the food must be of high quality and ideally balanced for large breed dogs that need a nutritious diet.

In principle, it is quite possible and even desirable to feed them natural and balanced food. The basis of the animal’s diet should be fresh and high-quality lean meat, preferably veal or rabbit. It is imperative to include grains and vegetables that feed wild representatives of the animal world.

Mixed nutrition is quite acceptable, when natural food alternates with special food. If dry food is used to feed puppies, then they need to be given a large amount of liquid.

When a pet is weakened or susceptible to frequent illnesses, specialized complex vitamins must be introduced into its diet. As for which ones are best to choose, the ideal ones would be those recommended by your veterinarian.

During mating periods, animals can become more aggressive and focus more attention on their owners. Most likely, their behavior during such periods depends on the individual characteristics of each particular dog.

Pros and cons of the Karelian Bear Dog breed

Advantages. The dog is highly valued by many people precisely for its incomparable hunting skills. In addition, the animal is unpretentious, has increased endurance, enormous devotion and complete fearlessness.

Flaws. It can be emphasized that if the owner shows even a little slack, then the dog can take the leading position. In this case, she simply will not listen. Great difficulties also arise for those who tried to keep a dog in a city apartment. The animal becomes bored and constantly tries to escape to freedom. Therefore, keeping this breed is possible only in private homes.

Breed characteristics

Short description
Origin:	USSR, Finland
Conditions of detention:	Apartment, house with garden
Purpose:	Hunting dog, companion dog
Color:	Red-red, golden-red
Wool length:	Long (5-8 cm)
Adult dog size:	The height of females is 42-45 cm, males 47-50 cm, weight of males is approximately 12-13 kg, females - 7-10 kg
Average life expectancy:	12-15 years
Walk:	Mandatory (2 times a day)
Physical activity needs:	High physical activity needs (regular or daily exercise for more than 3 hours per day)
Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FIC) classification:	Group 5: Spitz and primitive breeds; Section 2: northern hunting dogs
Puppy price:	From 5,000 to 70,000 rubles. Without pedigree – 5000-15000 rubles, pet class – 30000 rubles, breed class – 45000 rubles, show class – 60000-70000 rubles

Large Spitz

Having decided to find more information about the Karelian Bear Dog, you can see that it is also often called KMS, using the first letters of the words Karelian Bear Dog? or Finnish Karjalankarhukoira, which in Russian sounds like Karjalankarhukoira.

However, its associative name is most often used. This breed of dog is a large Spitz, Laikoid type. The dog was bred by Karelian hunters as a result of mixing the ancient Finnish species and Arkhangelsk Laikas. In 1946, a breed standard was adopted.

Description and photo

FCI breed number: 48.
Life expectancy: up to 15 years.
Color options: black, bronze-black with white markings on the face, body, paws, chest.
Height at the withers: females reach 52 cm, males can be up to 57 cm tall.
Weight of an adult dog: males - up to 28 kg, females weigh up to 20 kg.
Shedding intensity: 5 out of 5, heavy shedding twice a year.
Size: medium, with well-developed, not heavy bones and muscles.

Description of appearance: The dog's head is very similar to a triangle, expanding at the forehead. The eyes are small shades of brown. A careful look. The high-set, oval-shaped ears point forward. The muzzle is tapered, but not sharp, with powerful jaws and large teeth.

We recommend that you read about such popular breeds of hunting dogs as the Greyhound, Russian Greyhound, Cocker Spaniel, Smooth Fox Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Whippet, Welsh Terrier, Hungarian Vizsla, Irish Setter, Cairn Terrier, Jagd Terrier, Afghan Hound, Akita Inu, English Pointer, Dachshund, Weimaraner, Rhodesian and Thai Ridgebacks.

The coat has a thin and sparse undercoat, and the coat on top is smooth, hard and thin. Long on the back, neck and tail.

Character traits

This is a hunter dog. The character is aggressive towards prey: she will hold the caught animal until the owner gives her the command to retreat. Capable of knocking down and detaining even a large animal, quickly responds to a command and begins to execute it with lightning speed.

The breed was bred through conscious selection to help hunters in the harsh conditions of the north. Very brave and persistent, she can engage in unequal battles with animals that are many times larger than her in size and body weight.

Based on this, it is not intended for city life in an apartment and cannot be considered as a cute pet, despite its plush and toy appearance.

Find out what inbreeding and grooming are, how to choose a harness, collar and toys for your pet.

The Karelian Bear Laika loves independence. She will not tolerate raising her voice; commands should be sounded in an even and calm tone. She is very energetic and needs long and regular walks through forests or natural spaces so that she can realize her hunting instincts.

From the history of the breed

In the Karelian-Finnish epic “Kalevala” one can find repeated mention of a tireless four-legged hunter - half dog, half bear.
Cynologists who do not believe in the mythical origin of bear cubs consider them to be the direct ancestors of aboriginal local dogs and Russian northern (Arkhangelsk) huskies. At the end of the 19th century, breeding work began in Finland with dogs capable of searching for and driving down large ungulates and bears. For selection, local individuals with pronounced working qualities, orientation abilities, endurance, persistence in pursuing the animal, and good physical characteristics were selected.

By 1936, a breed group with the necessary skills had been formed. The dogs were presented at a national exhibition and received the official name - Karjalankarhukoira. With the beginning of the Soviet-Finnish War, work on breed selection stopped. And only in 1945-46 the standard was developed and registered. The Karelian Bear Dog received breed status.

In Russia, work was carried out in parallel to develop a domestic breed, similar in appearance. She received the name Russian European Laika. Dogs that are similar in appearance, however, differ significantly in their working qualities.

Bear cubs are popular among hunters in Scandinavian countries, Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, and the USA. The population of the Karelian Bear Dog in the world is quite large and many experts consider it the best among Spitz dogs, but in Russia it is still an exotic rarity.

Character of a bear dog

The Karelian bear husky has a congenital sanguine (easily excitable with a strong inhibition process) or choleric (highly excitable with weak inhibition) type of nervous system.

Dogs with this temperament are courageous, energetic, and easily adapt to unfavorable conditions. They quickly develop and strengthen conditioned reflexes, but often they lack endurance. Distinctive character traits of dogs include stubbornness and a tendency to self-will.

A genetically inherent quality is viciousness towards prey, which often manifests itself towards other dogs and pets.

The Karelian bear husky has a congenital sanguine or choleric type of nervous system.

The dog tries to distance itself from strangers, but does not show aggression. It shows weak guard qualities. At the same time, bear huskies are devoted to their owner, ready to protect him from an animal or other danger, selfless and fearless.

Training and education

When purchasing a bear husky, you should take into account that during the formation of the breed, preference was given to working hunting qualities, therefore keeping them as a family dog or guard is not acceptable for them. The course of protective guard duty is contraindicated for bear cubs, as this provokes manifestations of malice.

When training a bear dog, rigor, even harshness, is required.

The owner is required to have experience in training, developing genetically endowed hunting abilities, and regularly taking the dog “to work.” When teaching, rigor, even rigidity, is required. The use of physical force is possible only in the most extreme cases of aggression and disobedience.

Raising a puppy begins with strengthening the natural inclinations necessary for fishing activities.

Bear cubs need socialization. For villagers, this is, first of all, developing tolerance towards domestic animals. When keeping a dog in an urban environment, you should accustom the puppy to a leash and muzzle.

Training of bear cubs is possible only by the owner or under his constant supervision. Boarding training is not effective.

To develop hunting qualities, it is important:

clear interaction with the owner;
strict reinforcement of actions after the command;
fixation of basic commands: “Come to me!”, “Forward!”, “Back!”, “You can’t!”;
reaction to the owner’s intonation;
accustoming to the sound of a gunshot, irritating and distracting factors;
development of search skills;
training of the orienting instinct;
learning to differentiate a trace;
clear reinforcement of the “No!” command, especially with the prospect of using a dog in hunting fur-bearing animals;
aportation.

It is optimal to start grooming and baiting a bear husky at the age of 7 months to a year. During this period, it is worth deciding on the dog’s specialization: large ungulates, bear, fur-bearing animals, upland or swamp game.

There are known precedents for female bear cubs participating in agility competitions. But the main purpose of the Karelian bear dog is hunting.

The purpose of the breed is hunting

Hunting with a Karelian bear dog is somewhat different from hunting with other huskies. The breed is considered universal, the dog works on elk, wild boar, bison, roe deer, bear, wolf, lynx, fur-bearing animals, and birds.

Bear dogs are less careful than other representatives of huskies and come close to the animal, so the mortality rate during hunting is high.

It is believed that due to the excessive aggressiveness of bear cubs, they do not hunt in pairs or in packs. However, numerous reviews from hunters indicate that CCMs are able to work successfully in pairs with representatives of their own breed or with other huskies.

Bear dogs are hardy, follow the scent and drive the animal in any weather conditions. They selflessly hold the beast until the shot is fired.

They are less careful than other representatives of huskies and come close to the animal, so the mortality rate of bear cubs during hunting is high.

Breed characteristics and character

The Karelian bear dog is a hunting dog. In ancient times, she went armed against large animals. Finland is considered the homeland of dogs, where these dogs are regarded as national pride.

After this Scandinavian country gained independence at the beginning of the 20th century, part of Karelia went to the Soviet Union. So the breed split into the Karelian bear and the Russian-European husky.

The history of the breed goes back several tens of thousands of years. Archaeologists note that dogs similar to the Karelian lived in Scandinavia even before the Vikings arrived there. Judging by the huge number of remains, they were quite popular. Often in burials you can find both an animal and a human skeleton.

There is such a trait in character as aggression. By the way, the animal is considered a particularly dangerous breed in Russia. The dog shows aggression towards everything that it considers its prey, as well as towards other dogs. Distrustful of strangers, the four-legged friend does not attack them, but behaves with restraint. With loved ones he is completely on friendly terms - affectionate and gentle.

Among huskies it is considered the best hunter. At the same time, it is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and endurance. The difficult temperament requires an experienced hand, so the dog is not suitable for beginners. Absolutely does not perceive shouts and swearing. You need to communicate respectfully, as equals.

The Karelian Bear Dog was bred to hunt bears.

The dog is prone to dominance and independence. There is no need to limit it. However, when walking in public places, it is better to keep the animal on a leash.

Characteristic

The Karelian Bear belongs to the laikoid type of the group of primitive breeds. It is used in hunting large animals, with the goal of keeping it. The dog is perfectly oriented in the area and is not capable of getting lost. In the northern countries, working tests are carried out for representatives of the breed.

FCI breed standard: No. 48

The Karelian Laika is a medium-sized dog, but has a strong build. She is balanced and fearless, she is very viscous when hunting, that is, persistent. The dog's head is triangular when viewed from behind, the skull is wide, with a slightly pronounced occipital protuberance. The groove on the forehead is almost invisible, and so are the brow ridges. The stop is stretched and rises towards the skull area. The muzzle is wide and deep, tapering towards the nose and ending with a black lobe. The lips are thin, well covering strong jaws and symmetrically developed teeth. The bite is tight, scissor-shaped.

The eyes of the Karelian Bear Dog are small, oval-shaped and brown in color. A yellow tint to the eyes is unacceptable. Erect, triangular ears with rounded tips are set high on the head.

The neck has a good arch and is covered with a rich “collar” of hair. The withers are pronounced, there is no dewlap. The line of the withers descends to a straight back with a short loin and passes into the croup, slightly sloping. The chest is voluminous and long, reaching down to the elbows, the hemline is smooth, and the belly is tucked in. Chest depth – 0.5 of the dog’s height, body length slightly exceeds height,

On the rump there is a high-set tail, wrapped in a ring. Bobtail is acceptable.

The legs of the Karelian Laika are strong and muscular: the front legs are parallel with long forearms, the hind legs are with wide hips and low hocks. The dog moves freely, covering the space widely, and easily breaks into a gallop.

Flaws:

light frame;
narrow muzzle or skull;
straight tail;
pendant around the neck;
excessively deep sternum;
wave wool;
flat paws;
predominance of white color in color;
yellow eyes, eyesore;
drooping ears;
aggression towards people.

Karelian Bear Dog: standard, history, care

Dimensions, weight and height of the breed

The Karelian Laika breed standard clearly states the permissible size and weight.

Ideal Bear Dog Height:

52 cm – females;
57 cm – males.

Deviations are allowed no more than 3 cm in any direction.

Optimal weight: 25-28 kg for males and 17-20 kg for females.

Possible colors

The Karelian Laika has thick, wrinkle-free skin and dense fur. The guard hair is straight and hard to the touch. On the back, neck and hips the fur is slightly longer than usual. The undercoat is thick and soft – “downy”.

The only color option for representatives of the breed is black, sometimes with a hint of brown. There are characteristic white markings on the head, chest and paws.

Puppy weight by month

Karelian Bear Dog puppies develop quickly and reach the weight of an adult dog by the age of eight months. Then growth slows down, and the puppy grows in width.

Monthly ratio of age and weight of puppies:

1 month – 2 kg;
3 months – 10-16 kg
6 months – 16-21 kg
9 months – 18-23 kg;
12 months – 20-25 kg.

The indicators are individual for each dog, so it is better to focus on the fatness and appearance of the puppy.

Lifespan

The Karelian Bear Dog is distinguished by excellent health. She lives up to 15 years with good care. Retains working qualities up to 9-10 years, in old age she remains cheerful and cheerful.

Allergenicity

The Karelian Laika practically does not smell like a dog, which is why it is mistakenly called hypoallergenic, forgetting about its dense undercoat, which sheds profusely twice a year. The fur of any dog can cause allergies, and dust particles accumulating in the downy layer can increase the development of the disease. You can make sure that a reaction does not occur by taking a RAST blood test and identifying dangerous allergens.

Karelian Bear Dog: photo, character and description of the breed

Character traits of Karelians

Pharaoh Hound: Egyptian Anibus, breed description

Bear dogs are considered natural hunters with strong senses and instincts. Perfectly oriented on any terrain. Very playful, confident and strong dogs. They can defend their own territory from wild animals and people. However, they don’t rush without a reason.

The grin of a Karelian bear

By nature, they are born likes. Purposefulness and severity are their main features. They guard the house very well and will not attack animals without orders. The pet chooses only one owner, whom it will obey in the future. The dog is very jealous and does not get along well with children.

Important! This is not a family breed. If there is a child in the house, it is better to choose another pet.

Accommodations

The dog must have normal communication with family members or at least with the owner. Such conditions will eliminate loneliness and unsociability of the pet and will help it develop.

Care

A well-mannered dog will not climb onto the owner’s bed and will not ask for food in the vicinity of the family table. Taking into account the undemanding nature and frost resistance of huskies, you can equip an outdoor enclosure with an insulated booth in the courtyard of the household. The animal will have enough of these conditions even in the cold season.

Both with a puppy and with an adult animal you need to be in constant contact - talk, communicate, joke, play. A dog that grows up in constant connection with its owner identifies him as a friend, treats him with respect and demonstrates his warmth.

Wool

Given the roughness of the Russian-European Laika's coat, it requires serious care. The dog needs to be brushed regularly, especially after walks. It is also necessary to ensure that there are no plant seeds, thorns and burdocks in the wool. Separately, it is worth examining the skin of the animal for injuries.

In addition to the cleansing effect, combing a dog’s fur brings pleasure that it definitely shouldn’t be deprived of. Another factor in the perception of pet hair may be its possible allergenicity - not all family members (especially children) may have a normal reaction to dog hair.

Ears, eyes, teeth, claws

Laikas are a breed of dogs with medium-length ears, so you don’t need to care for your pet’s hearing organ too intensively. The erect ears of a short-haired animal should be cleaned only after making sure that it needs it.

To do this, just run a slightly moistened ear stick over the dog’s auditory organ. If the stick is simply smeared gray or yellow, then everything is fine, but sulfur pellets will clearly indicate the need to clean the pet’s ear canals.

Taking care of a hunting dog's teeth may involve treating it to beef bones, which will remove plaque and help sharpen the fangs.

There is no need to care for the claws of an active dog - they wear off naturally while moving around the area. The claws of a domestic dog must be trimmed with a special nail clipper.

This procedure is not the most pleasant for the animal, so it is carried out with the dad with overgrown claws firmly secured. In this case, the claws do not cut, but are blunted perpendicular to the claw.

Veterinarians recommend examining your dog's eyes daily. Considering that the described breed is a street dog, daily accumulations in the form of dust and other airborne particles can harm the microflora of the mucous membrane of the eyes.

You need to wipe your vision with a soft, clean cloth soaked in distilled water. If the eyes are red or watery, tetracycline ointment is applied to the lower eyelid for 3–5 days.

Bathing

A full bath of the dog is done no more than 2 times a year if necessary. If water treatments are too frequent, the protective layer of the dog’s coat does not have time to recover. As a result, the wool quickly becomes greasy and all sorts of debris clings to it.

As a result, the animal’s coat loses its ability to store heat and quickly gets wet in the rain. Minor dirt from the animal's fur can be easily removed with dry shampoo. If there is a need for a full bath of the animal, then this should be done by watering from the shower in order to sufficiently wet the undercoat.

Hunting and walking

Hunting with the Russian-European Laika, according to numerous expert reviews, is a true pleasure. This dog shows its skills and qualities immediately when it appears at the hunting site. The animal is perfectly oriented in the area, adapts to changing situations and is able to understand the owner almost instantly.

It will be useful for dog owners to learn about: characteristics of estrus in dogs, possible causes of paw licking, how dogs are mated, what inbreeding and grooming are.

Nutrition

The diet for the breed is based on meat: up to 3/4 of the food volume for any type of husky consists of fish and raw meat. For 1 kg of animal weight there should be from 10 to 20 g of meat product per day.

When feeding fish and meat, there is no need to remove bones, cartilage, and tendons - they will help the development of the pet's teeth and jaws. The exception is small fish bones.

When feeding raw meat or fish, there is a risk of infecting your pet with helminths. Veterinarians advise treating your dog with anti-worming agents every 1-2 months.

Did you know? Hunting huskies love to eat wild boar skin, which, due to its roughness, helps clean the inside of the digestive tract.

Breed characteristics

According to the standard, Karelian dogs have average height at the withers, well-developed muscles and strong bones already at the age of puppies (at 3 months). This breed is sexually dimorphic. Height, depending on gender, varies from 48 to 60 cm. As for weight, it does not exceed 23 kg for both females and males. It is strictly forbidden to allow more weight, otherwise hunting performance will decrease: activity drops, speed decreases, weight interferes with energetic movements.

Description of the appearance of the breed includes the following characteristics:

the head is wedge-shaped with a large convex forehead;
a smooth line of transition from the forehead to the muzzle, tapering near the nose, deepened;
the mouth is thin, the lips are tense and fit well to the jaw, completely hiding the teeth;
medium-sized ears, triangle-shaped, erect, slightly rounded at the ends;
the eyes are proportional, not too large, the gaze is very intelligent, does not squint, and is distinguished by seriousness;
The standard eye shade is brown, other tones are more often rejected;
strong muscular neck, short, curved;
the body is elongated, greater than the height of the dog;
the back is sloping, muscular, strong;
the chest is deep and voluminous;
legs are hardy, strong, muscular;
the front legs are slightly smaller than the hind legs;
the tail is small, curved in a ring;
There are stubby representatives with a tail length of no more than 5 cm or without it at all, however, this is allowed with big reservations.

Separately, it is necessary to consider the possible colors of the animal and the type of coat:

the undercoat is thick, very fluffy, the coat is quite hard and straight;
on the back and neck the hair is elongated when compared with other areas - limbs, body, muzzle;
puppies and adults of Karelian Laikas have a black, non-shiny color;
the wool has a bronze tint;
there are snow-white spots with sharply defined boundaries on the chest, neck, head, limbs and at the end of the tail;
Possible coloration is white and wolf type with black spots.

Distinctive features

The Karelo-Finnish Laika is a small but well-built dog of a square format with a sloping back and croup. It is distinguished by its bright red or red color. Height can range from 42 to 50 cm, and weight from 7 to 13 kg. Quite compact, which makes it a good apartment pet.

In the FCI standard it is indicated as Finnish Spitz. The last amendment was made in 1999. Considered the national pride of Finland, all individuals that do not meet the external characteristics are discarded.

The head is quite wide between the ears and tapers towards the back of the head. Convex when viewed from the front. The furrow on the forehead is small and short. The stop is weakly expressed. The width and depth of the skull are equal. The back of the head and brow ridges are outlined.
The muzzle is quite long, the ratio of the length of the head is 3:4. Quite narrow (tapers towards the nose), the bridge of the nose is straight. The lower jaw is clearly visible. The cheekbones are outlined, but not particularly prominent. The jaws are strong and have a scissor bite (the upper teeth fit tightly and overlap the lower teeth). The lips are thin, not jagged, and pigmented black.
The nose is small, round, pure black.
The eyes are medium-sized and almond-shaped, with the inner corners lower than the outer corners, creating a slanted look. The color of the iris is predominantly black or dark brown.
The ears are set high and stand firmly. Triangular in shape (wide at the base). Medium in size.
The body is dry, square format. The back is not long, straight, the loin is short, the croup is sloping and of medium width. The withers are clearly expressed. The chest is not very wide, but quite deep (to the middle of the elbows). The belly is tucked in. The neck is short, wide, covered with thick hair.
The tail is long, curled into a ring, lowered to the lower back. The coat is long and fluffy.
Limbs are straight, parallel, strong, of medium length. Hindquarters with well-developed muscles. The paws are cat-like, oval with knitted toes and hard black pads. The movements are light, galloping.
The coat is long, fluffy, stands straight, and is not parted. It forms pants on the hips and a collar on the neck.
The color is bright red or golden-red, with light areas on the chest, ears, back of the limbs, under the tail and on the stomach.