Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison

Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Hellenic Hound - Breed ComparisonKarelo-Finnish Laika is originated from Russia but Hellenic Hound is originated from Greece. Karelo-Finnish Laika may grow 7 cm / 2 inches shorter than Hellenic Hound. Karelo-Finnish Laika may weigh 6 kg / 13 pounds lesser than Hellenic Hound. Karelo-Finnish Laika may live 3 years more than Hellenic Hound. Both Karelo-Finnish Laika and Hellenic Hound has almost same litter size. Both Karelo-Finnish Laika and Hellenic Hound 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.

hellenic hound - historyDeveloped in Southern Greece, the Hellenic Hound was bred to hunt hare and is an ancient breed. It is a medium sized breed with strong scent and tracking skills. It is believed to have been in existence for thousands of years. The ancestry of the breed included the Lagonikoi or laconikoi, native to southern Greece in ancient times. The breed was spread by sailors on Greece trading ships and colonization.

Todays Hellenic Hound is found throughout Europe. Kept somewhat isolated by the mountains, the breed was protected from outside breeding and they remained pure for centuries. It is a fearless, smart and hyped up purebred. The Hellenic Hound needs to have a job and if you don’t give him one, he will find one. He is smart and independent which sometimes makes him stubborn. It also takes this dog longer to mature than others, sometime between two and three years. It is not good for first time owners. Today’s hound is still a popular hunting dog and companion animal as well. They are rarely seen outside of the Greek country.

In 1996 the Hellenic Hound was recognized as the first Greek dog breed into the FCI. They are not recognized by the AKC. Its numbers continue to decline.

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.

hellenic hound puppy - descriptionToday’s Hellenic Hound is not a big dog but rather very average or medium. It is an athletic dog and looks like it. It has a balanced body with a deep chest and thick neck. It has medium height legs that are strong and muscular with paws that are prepared for the terrain it always works on. Its coat is short and tight. The colors of the Hellenic Hound are black with tan or white on the chest. Their heads are noble and rounded with a rectangle shaped muzzle. They have v shaped, long ears and round eyes. Their toe nails are black and so is their nose. It has excellent scent glands, very quick responses, speed and stamina. Their tail is thick and tapers off.

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

hellenic hound dog - characteristicsyes, they are very fond of children as long as they are carefully socialized.

Special talents

Great hunter, stamina ,scent, voice

Adaptable

He needs to have a yard or land. He doesn’t do well in apartments.

Learning

The breed is very intelligent and can be very trainable. However, they can also be stubborn and that makes training harder.

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.

hellenic hound puppies - health problemsThe Hellenic Hound is a fairly healthy breed having been isolated on the Island of Greece for the most part. They are susceptible to:

Joint dysplasia

Could be hips, elbows or knees. If untreated can lead to lameness or inability to walk.

Arthritis

Causes joint pain and can cause lameness or inability to walk.

Bloat

Can be fatal if not treated immediately. To avoid it don’t feed a large meal before or after exercise.

Hunting injuries

Can be a variety of things that occur during the hunt.

Ear infections

Need to keep the ears clean and dry in order to avoid infections.

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

hellenic hound dogs - caringFeed the puppy 2-3 times a day a total of 2 cups

Feeding the adult

Feed the adult twice a day a total of 2-3 cups

Points for Good Health

The Hellenic Hound has excellent stamina, speed and scenting ability.

Games and Exercises

This is a very active, athletic dog that needs to work and needs exercise. He is powerful, quick and has great endurance. It thrives on hunting but will need other activities on the days it doesn’t hunt. It needs a yard or land to play in. Agility, Field Trials, tracking, hunting and fly ball are all activities the Hellenic Hound will enjoy.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Hound dog
Origin:
Russia
Greece
Height Male:
38 - 48 cm
14 - 19 inches
47 - 55 cm
18 - 22 inches
Height Female:
38 - 48 cm
14 - 19 inches
45 - 53 cm
17 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
11 - 14 kg
24 - 31 pounds
17 - 20 kg
37 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
11 - 14 kg
24 - 31 pounds
15 - 18 kg
33 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 10
6 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Laika
Greek Hound or the Hellenikos Ichnilatis The Hellenic Hound, Greek Harehound
Colors Available:
Reddish
Black with tan markings
Coat:
Longish and coarse
Short, smooth, sleek
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Playful, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

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. Pharaoh Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  27. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  28. Hungarian Vizsla vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  29. Redbone Coonhound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  30. Norwegian Elkhound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  31. Santal Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  32. Podenco Canario vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  33. Podenco Andaluz vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  34. Podenco Galego vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  35. Kanni vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  36. Lithuanian Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  37. Hungarian Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  38. Hygenhund vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  39. Norrbottenspets vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  40. Polish Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  41. Russian Harlequin Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  42. Russian Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  43. Sabueso Espanol vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Schillerstovare vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  45. Schweizer Laufhund vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  46. Schweizer Niederlaufhund vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  47. Serbian Hound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  48. Silken Windhound vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  49. Smalandsstovare vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison
  50. Stephens Stock vs Hellenic Hound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds