Karelo-Finnish Laika vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison

Karelo-Finnish Laika vs German Coolie - Breed ComparisonKarelo-Finnish Laika is originated from Russia but German Coolie is originated from Australia. Karelo-Finnish Laika may grow 12 cm / 4 inches shorter than German Coolie. Karelo-Finnish Laika may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than German Coolie. Karelo-Finnish Laika may live 3 years less than German Coolie. Karelo-Finnish Laika may have more litter size than German Coolie. Both Karelo-Finnish Laika and German Coolie requires Low maintenance.

History

karelo finnish laika - historyThe 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.

german coolie - historyThe German Coolie is misnamed as it is an Australian bred dog and often called the Australian Koolie or Coolie. This Australian breed is more often just called a Coolie. The breed is a typical herding breed and a working dog that needs a job all the time. They have been a favorite of Australians since the late 1800’s when local dogs were bred with British working dogs.

Although all Coolie’s are not the same. Within the breed there is a lot of variation. This is because the Coolie was bred individually for different regions in Australia. In a very different writing the Koolie Club of Australia does not define the Coolie breed on confirmation as all other purebred dogs are defined. Instead the Coolie is defined by ability to work. In light of this most Coolie breeders state that the Coolie is a breed and the variations you see among regions are types within the breed.

As a herding dog, the Coolie brought a lot of skill to the Australian farmers and sheep herders. The Coolie will round up the sheep and bring them back to their enclosure at the shepherd’s command. They are upright, silent, working dogs. Not only do they herd sheep they are important at sheering to “cut out” the sheep or assist in the close quarters of lambing.

In Queensland North and New South Wales, the Coolie is medium boned, tall and agile ready to herd cattle over a long stretch of miles. In the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales and the Hunter Valley Region, the Coolie is shorter and thicker in order to be able to get cattle that are lying low out from the gullies and dense bush. The Coolies found in Victoria are the smallest of all.

No matter where they live and work, the Coolie is bred to help the workers there, the farmers, the stockman, and the grazier. All Coolies are adaptable and very agile. They all have a strong willfulness to accomplish what they are asked to do. The ancestors of these various Coolie was the British Collie – a smooth coated, blue merle. This Collie was crossed with the Black and Tan Collie from the Scottish Highlands. It is believed that these are the same Collie breeds that came to Australia to create the Heeler.

The name may come from the German immigrants working in South Australia and unable to pronounce Collie incorrectly they called the dogs German Coolies. There is also a fraction of German breeders who believe that the German Tiger dog was brought to Australia in the 18th century and then when the Collies came they were bred together. Many Coolie breeders have records showing that the breed has been in Australia for at least 160 years. It is also believed that the Border Collie and Kelpie (Blue Heeler) were mixed into the breed at sometime as well.

No bench standard exists for the German Coolie even though there is the Koolie Club of Australia. The mission of the club is to protect, preserve and promote the breed. The Australian Sporting Register was recognizing the Coolies in 2004. They are eligible to participate in the Australian National Kennel Council sanctioned sporting trials. They participate in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria through the individual states sporting register. Here they participate in herding, jumping, obedience, agility and tracking.

Several other recognitions as a herding breed soon followed. The Australian Shepherd Club of America, the American Herding Breed Association, were followed by recognition from others as well. They are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Description

karelo finnish laika puppy - descriptionWith 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.

german coolie puppy - descriptionWith their strong ancestry among the family of collies and herders, the German Coolie shares the look of collies and shepherds. Even though they differ from region to region and there is no actual standard, they are medium sized dogs with blue or brown eyes or even one of each. The ears are folded over on top when relaxed but they are rigid and straight when he is more alert. The nose is either chocolate or red depending on the color of their coat.

They can have either a long, medium or short coat but most owners want the short coat that is smooth as well. The coat can be one color – red/chocolate or black; Bi – red/white or black/white; Tri – solid black or red with white and brown; Tri merle -merle with white and brown; Merle – red merles and blue merles. Regardless of color, the German Coolie has the look of a collie or German Shepherd.

Characteristics

karelo finnish laika dog - characteristicsThe 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.

Children friendliness

german coolie dog - characteristicsYes, they can be very friendly with children is they are socialized and supervised.

Special talents

They have enough stamina to work for 14 hours a day.

Adaptability

They are very adaptable. They can be calm and steady when working a mother and baby lamb and then be able to forcefully move steers, bull, rams or weathers.

Learning ability

The breed is highly intelligent, and their learning ability is excellent because they want to please you.

Health Problems

karelo finnish laika puppies - health problemsApart 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.

german coolie puppies - health problemsThis is a relatively healthy breed without many genetic disorders found in purebreds due to the 160 years they have spent fairly isolated and allowing natural selection to take its course.

Blindness/Deafness

In Merle dogs there can be deafness and/or blindness. If you breed a solid to a merle you can eliminate that.

Joint Issues

These are not inherited but rather acquired due to the immense amount of jumping and running.

  1. Allergies
  2. Minor skin allergies are possible in some.
  3. Seizures

Rare but it does occur and can be fatal if not treated

Caring The Pet

karelo finnish laika dogs - caringThe 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.

Feeding the puppy

german coolie dogs - caringBreak meals into 3 a day feeding a high quality dry puppy food designed for dogs of his size. 11/2 to 2 cups per day.

Feeding the adult

Break meals into 2 a day feeding a high quality dry adult food designed for dogs of his size.

Points for Good Health

Traditionally good health. Great energy, intensity and devotion to work and owner.

Games and Exercises

This is an energetic dog that loves to work and needs to work. Regular routine exercise is needed daily. He needs to be stimulated mentally and physically. Find him a job. Make sure he knows what you want him to do. They work well with a human partner in games such as agility, tracking, flyball and herding. They need a large yard and a lot of play time. They are not couch potatoes and would be unhappy if they were stuck in a house or apartment

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Russia
Australia
Height Male:
38 - 48 cm
14 - 19 inches
40 - 60 cm
15 - 24 inches
Height Female:
38 - 48 cm
14 - 19 inches
38 - 58 cm
14 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
11 - 14 kg
24 - 31 pounds
15 - 24 kg
33 - 53 pounds
Weight Female:
11 - 14 kg
24 - 31 pounds
13 - 22 kg
28 - 49 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
16 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 10
4 - 6
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Laika
Australian Koolie - German Koolie - Coulie - German Collie
Colors Available:
Reddish
Black, Red, merle
Coat:
Longish and coarse
smooth and comes in short or medium lengths
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Social
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Sakhalin Husky vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  2. Portuguese Water Dog vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  3. Puli vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  4. McNab vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  5. Porcelaine vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  6. Hokkaido vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  7. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  8. Pumi vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  9. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  10. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  11. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  12. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  13. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  14. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  15. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  16. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  17. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  18. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  19. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  20. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  21. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison
  22. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  23. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Griffon Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  24. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Istrian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  27. Pyrenean Shepherd vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  28. Queensland Heeler vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  29. German Coolie vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. German Coolie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  31. German Coolie vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  32. German Coolie vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  33. German Coolie vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  34. German Coolie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  35. German Coolie vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. German Coolie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  37. German Coolie vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  38. German Coolie vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  39. German Coolie vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  40. German Coolie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  41. German Coolie vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  42. German Coolie vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  43. German Coolie vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  44. German Coolie vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  45. German Coolie vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  46. German Coolie vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  47. German Coolie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  48. German Coolie vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  49. German Coolie vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  50. German Coolie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds