Kuvasz vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison

Kuvasz vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed ComparisonKuvasz is originated from Hungary but Karelo-Finnish Laika is originated from Russia. Kuvasz may grow 28 cm / 12 inches higher than Karelo-Finnish Laika. Kuvasz may weigh 38 kg / 84 pounds more than Karelo-Finnish Laika. Kuvasz may live 3 years less than Karelo-Finnish Laika. Both Kuvasz and Karelo-Finnish Laika has almost same litter size. Kuvasz requires Moderate maintenance. But Karelo-Finnish Laika requires Low maintenance

History

kuvasz - historyThe Kuvasz is an ancient dog breed from Hungary. It is believed that the dog is the oldest of the ancient Hungarian dog breeds, and in fact a fossilized skeleton dating back to the 9th century, and almost identical to the modern Kuvasz, was found near Keszthely.

During the 15th century the Kuvasz became very sought after, being found in royal courts. Puppies were given as royal gifts. Later the popularity of the breed waned and then it was found in its traditional role of guarding livestock.

As Kuvasz numbers dwindled, breeding efforts were started but it is believed that other large dogs such as the Great Pyrenees were used with the Kuvasz to continue with the breeding programs.

In 1884, the first Hungarian standard for the breed was written. It was in 1966 that the Kuvasz Club of America was established.

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.

Description

kuvasz puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Kuvasz is a large, muscled dog standing at 65 – 76cm in height and weighing 35 – 52kg. He has a double coat of dense white hair which can be straight or wavy.

It is natural for the dog to lose most of the long coat during the Summer months. In other words this dog has a seasonal coat.

The nose is black, the eyes brown and alert, the ears are of medium length and floppy and the tail is carried long and low.

Temperament:

The Kuvasz is an intelligent dog who will benefit from training and socialization. It is always wise to have large dogs like this trained because just his size can cause problems if he isn’t obedient.

He is also described as a clownish type of dog which means he’ll entertain and amuse you. Certainly he is playful as a puppy but he calms down quite a bit as he grows into maturity. He is independent, and those who have owned such a dog report that he can be loving and loyal with his human family, wanting to guard and protect them. Others will say that he tended to be aloof, even with his human family.

Used as working dogs, the Kuvasz has learned to be independent and they will need a firm, strong owner who is also fair with them, otherwise they just do their own thing. They’re active dogs and because of their size they won’t suit city living where there is a tiny garden.

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.

Characteristics

kuvasz dog - characteristicsKuvasz are guarding dogs, they’re intelligent and loyal, making them excellent family dogs with the right training and socialization.

They’re able to get on well with other pets in the home as well as children. He is a beautiful dog and another bonus is that he isn’t particularly high maintenance.

As is common with many other large-breed dogs, he will have a shorter lifespan than what you’d get with a smaller dog breed, but if you feed him high quality food, exercise him and involve him in your activities, this large dog can become a wonderful friend and protector for you.

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.

Health Problems

kuvasz puppies - health problemsThe large Kuvasz is a healthy dog breed that with good care can reach 12–14 years of age. Being the large dog that he is, he may well be prone to bone and joint problems. It is why good nutrition is so important for this dog - feeding him the best food with vitamins and minerals.

You know the saying ...you are what you eat... and this applies to dogs too. Good food can help to ward off serious illnesses. Big dogs like this often have to contend with hip dysplasia which can be both painful and debilitating as well as eye diseases.

Entropion:

This is where the eyelid of the dog rolls inwards, causing irritation and pain for the dog. There is also Ectropion, where the eyelid rolls outwards.If you see your pet has a red eye which is watery and which has pus, visit your vet. Entropion surgery will correct and repair and condition.

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.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

kuvasz dogs - caringThe coat may be fairly long and thick but it doesn’t require any special kind of grooming. A good brush twice a week will be adequate and will help with getting rid of stubborn knots and matting.

He is a seasonal shedder and this frequent brushing will make sure the coat remains groomed and shiny.

General Care:

The Kuvasz is a hardy breed who just loves the outdoors. He is a dog that doesn’t do well in the heat. Make absolutely sure that he has a cool, sheltered spot where he can lie down. Ensure that there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.

Diet:

There is quite a bit of conflict and controversy regarding nutrition in dogs. The idea is to keep it simple. If you buy a commercially manufactured dog food, check the ingredients on the packaging.

You want to be sure your pet is getting vitamins and minerals in instead of preservatives, fillers and colorants. Try and give him some home made food too such as some chicken, brown rice or pasta and some vegetables. You can mix this into his dry kibble occasionally with a little bit of raw meat too when you have.

Avoid feeding your dog things such as chocolates, nuts, onions, sweets and chips.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
Hungary
Russia
Height Male:
65 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
38 - 48 cm
14 - 19 inches
Height Female:
65 - 76 cm
25 - 30 inches
38 - 48 cm
14 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
35 - 52 kg
77 - 115 pounds
11 - 14 kg
24 - 31 pounds
Weight Female:
35 - 52 kg
77 - 115 pounds
11 - 14 kg
24 - 31 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
6 - 10
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Hungarian Kuvasz
Laika
Colors Available:
White
Reddish
Coat:
Medium length to long, wavy or straight
Longish and coarse
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  2. Presa Canario vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  3. Labrador Husky vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  4. Mackenzie River Husky vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  5. Pyredoodle vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  6. Lurcher vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  7. Maremma Sheepdog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  8. Sarplaninac vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  9. Mountain View Cur vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  10. Native American Indian Dog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  11. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  12. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  13. Mucuchies vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  14. Shepherd Husky vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  15. Slovak Cuvac vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  16. Southern Hound vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  17. Taigan vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  18. St. John's Water Dog vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  19. Tornjak vs Kuvasz - Breed Comparison
  20. Kuvasz vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  21. Kuvasz vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  22. Kuvasz vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  23. Kuvasz vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  24. Kuvasz vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  25. Kuvasz vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  26. Sakhalin Husky vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  27. Portuguese Water Dog vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  28. Puli vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  29. McNab vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  30. Porcelaine vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  31. Hokkaido vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  32. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  33. Pumi vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison
  34. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  35. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  36. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  37. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  38. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  39. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  40. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  41. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  42. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  43. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  45. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  46. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison
  47. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  48. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Griffon Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  49. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  50. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Istrian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds