Karelo-Finnish Laika vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Looking like a smaller version of the Red Setter, the German Spaniel, known also as the Deutscher Wachtelhund or German Quail Dog, hails from Germany.

It isn't a new dog breed and in fact it was developed around 1890 already. Used as a hunting dog, the German Spaniel isn’t well known outside of Germany, but it was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1996.

There are a number of breeds which feature in the development of the German Spaniel, and one of the more prominent dog breeds used for the modern day German Spaniel is the extinct Stoeberer. The Stoeberer was crossed with water dogs and sporting spaniels to bring about the modern German Spaniel as we know it today.

It was in 1903 that the dog was recognized as a breed, and in the 1960s and 1970s the dogs were imported into the United States.

The Karelo Finnish Laika is a Spitz type hunting dog from the Karelia area of Russia.Some people say the dog developed in Sweden. The dog is from a group of ‘Laika’ breeds and has that typical Spitz-type look – the sharpish face, the erect ears and the tail which curls over the back.

This attractive dog was developed as a hunting dog, and has a thick, weatherproof coat.The Karelo-Finnish Laika breed developed because people wanted a smaller sized hunting dog that could cope well with the weather, and these Laika dogs matched well.

The breed is ancient – centuries old, and after dying out in numbers during the second world war, the breed was revived when Russians imported Finnish Spitzes from Finland and bred them. The dog is similar to the Finnish Spitz, and in 2006 the Finnish Kennel Club and Russian Kennel Federation included the Karelo-Finnish Laika as a Finnish Spitz breed.

As a medium-sized, muscular dog which stands at roughly 45cm to 54cm in height and weighs 18 – 25kg, the German Spaniel is a sporty gun dog who has a long back in relation to his height.

The ears are long and floppy with wavy or curly hair that will need to be attended to so as to avoid matting.

He has a long, wavy or curly weather-resistant coat, being short on the head but with feathering around the legs and stomach. Color of the coat includes brown, reddish brown and white. The white markings can be found on the chest of the dog, the legs, tails and muzzle. `

Temperament:

The German Spaniel loves to work and be busy and if he can be included in his human family’s activities, then so much the better. He is a social dog and gets on well with other dogs as well as children in the home. The German Spaniel is an intelligent dog and easily trained. In fact training and socialization are important for him, making him obedient and a pleasure to have around.

With his wolf-like appearance, the Karelo Finnish Laika is a sharp, intelligent dog and is the smallest Laika in Russia used for hunting. He stands at about 38–48 cm in height and weighs about 11 - 14 kg.

His coat is a reddish color and the fur is fairly long and coarse with a dense, soft undercoat. He looks like a red fox with his sharp, bright face, his erect ears, black nose and bushy tail which curls over the back.

Temperament:

The Karelo-Finnish Laika is a sweet dog with a quiet character. Whenever you suggest a game for him, he throws his docile side to the wind and becomes highly energetic and animated. He is an active dog and loves nothing more than a game with his human family members.

He is mistrustful of strangers, he tends to bark easily and he is territorial and all these characteristic go towards making him a good watchdog. He is quite prepared to live peacefully alongside other dogs in the home, more so when he has been trained and socialized.

He makes a great friend and pet for families and is more than ready to be loving and loyal to his human family.

The German Spaniel makes a wonderful family pet. He is friendly and sociable, getting along well with just about all dogs and people. He loves his human family, wanting to be involved in all their activities.

He is an active dog, used to hunting and being outdoors and he will therefore require a good deal of exercise from his owners, otherwise he becomes bored and frustrated and even destructive.

He is an adaptable dog, living in the city or the countryside, but wherever he is, exercise is important. Docile and non-aggressive, he has got all the characteristics that make him a splendid family pet.

The Karelo Finnish Laika is such an energetic dog, full of life and he promises to make an affectionate family dog.

He is a fairly low maintenance dog too and not prone to getting sick easily. Treat this attractive Laika dog like he deserves and you’ll find that he makes a splendid pet.

Health problems are fairly unknown with the robust German Spaniel, and if well cared for, he can reach 12 to 15 years of age.

There are always one or two hereditary health concerns, and the health issues that affect the breed the most are hip dysplasia, skin allergies and splayed feet.

The American Kennel Club tells us that this type of foot is flat, with spreading toes. It is a fault in your pet because it doesn’t support his weight well, causing health problems later on for your pet. This is why it is so important to have your pet’s nails clipped from time to time, because long nails can turn a good paw into a splayed one, actually injuring the tendons.

Apart from his good looks, the Karelo-Finnish Laika happens to be a pretty healthy breed and there are no known hereditary health problems with him. Diseases which can affect any dog -

Hip Dysplasia:

Many large breeds are prone to hip dysplasia. In hip dysplasia, joint problems cause arthritis and pain and eventually lameness. These days, when buying a puppy, people ask breeders about whether the parents were screened for hip dysplasia.

Obesity:

Any dog fed the wrong diet and who isn’t exercised can become overweight. Obesity in dogs is linked to many health problems in dogs. If you’re in doubt about your pet, consult with your vet on the best food for him.

Cancer:

Many dogs are at risk for certain types of cancer, including lymphoma which is cancer of the lymph nodes. When you are brushing your pet, check him for any unusual lumps so that you can catch cancer early.

Heart Conditions:

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is where the chambers of the heart are stretched out and don't pump blood properly. Sometimes it can go undetected for a while until the dog becomes seriously ill, requiring emergency medical attention. Medications can regulate heart rhythm but there is no cure.

Grooming:

Shedding quite heavily and seasonally, the German Spaniel’s thick coat will require being brushed twice a week to keep it shiny and healthy. He loves the attention you give him at the same time.

There are some German Spaniel owners who like to take their dogs in for professional grooming, requesting that the coat be cut short all round.

The long ears of your German Spaniel, especially if your pet spends a lot of time swimming, can be permanently damp, picking up dirt easily. Check inside the ears and make sure they are dry and clean to prevent ear infections.

Make sure to brush his teeth 2 or 3x a week as well because plaque build up leads to dental disease but it also negatively affects other body organs too, shortening your pet’s life.

Diet:

Every dog, just like any human being, requires good nutrition, fresh water and warm, dry sleeping facilities to remain happy and to give him a good chance at longevity.

Apart from the very best commercially manufactured dog foods, ensure he occasionally gets some raw meat in as well as some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken. These can be added into his kibble.

The Karelo-Finnish Laika is a most attractive looking dog and his thick, double coat will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep it free from dust, grass and burrs. He sheds throughout the year so this brushing will keep the loose dog hair under control.

Diet:

Watch your Karelo-Finnish Laika’s diet as a lean, mean dog can live longer than one who is overfed. Dogs which are overweight are likely to develop joint problems and heart disease.

The quality of food you feed your pet is hugely important. Popping chocolates and peanuts into his mouth because you love him so much will be toxic for him. Apart from his top quality dry kibble, add in some cooked chicken, rice and vegetables as a tasty treat and mix in a little bit of raw meat also when you can.

Exercise:

Exercise for your Karelo Finnish Laika is a key component to prolonging his life, and he absolutely loves games, walks and action all the way. It will keep him in shape, keep him happy and prolong his life.