Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Karelo-Finnish Laika - Breed Comparison

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.

Unlike some miniaturized pure dog breeds, the Miniature Australian Shepherd is a breed of its own. The American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club recognize that the miniature Australian Shepherd is the same as the miniature American Shepherd.

Certain breeding programs to develop the Miniature Australian Shepherd have been established and this dog is a small version of the Australian Shepherd. You can say that the Mini Australian Shepherd was developed in the 1960s and hails from the USA. American ranchers bred small Australian Shepherd dogs to create smaller replicas of the breed.

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 Miniature Australian Shepherd’s coat is medium-length and is straight or wavy. It comes in a range of colors such as blue or red merle and red or black tricolor. There are white or tan markings as well. He is a small dog, standing at 33 - 46 cm in height and weighing 6 – 16kg.

They have blue or brown eyes but some will even have one eye blue and the other brown. The ears are semi erect, semi floppy and the tail, while essentially left long and feathery, is sometimes docked.

Temperament:

Miniature Australian Shepherds are easygoing dogs who love being with their human families. They get on well with children in the home and are always willing to jump right in for a game.

They’re lively and agile and if its not games they’re busy with, they want to be on a walk. They’re loving and loyal and also eager to please, sensing what their owner wants.

They’re intelligent dogs too and easy to train so it is sure to go well with training and socialization, which is important for any dog. This training and socialization can actually help with problems a dog has such as being very nervous or being too active indoors. They become obedient and manageable wherever they are.

He is also willing to get on with other pets in the house. Just like the larger dog, the mini Australian Shepherd loves to be active and at work.

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.

The wonderful friendly nature’s of these dogs make them excellent family pets, especially when they have been trained and socialized. They can live in the city or country but they will certainly require being exercised as they are an active breed, wanting to be busy with his human family.

You can’t describe these dogs as low maintenance as they have long, thick hair that sheds and which will also need to be brushed regularly.

If you’re able to provide a good home for this beautiful, lively dog, then he will make you a splendid pet.

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.

Your Miniature Australian Shepherd can enjoy good health if you make sure he has a nutritious diet, he is well exercised and he is happy and content because of the attention you give him. He can easily reach 13 years of age.

Also, say what you like, human beings constantly tampering with animals to produce certain looks has its drawbacks and can create health problems in dogs.

As a pure breed however, these dogs will be more susceptible to some common canine health problems such as hypothyroidism, patellar luxation, obesity, hip dysplasia, vision problems and cancer.

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.

Grooming:

The mini Australian Shepherd has a long coat with seasonal shedding. You will need to give the coat a good brush twice a week to keep it untangled and to remove loose hair.

Other grooming for your pet will be to check his eyes and ears for infection, check for unusual lumps when you brush him and check for fleas and ticks. Keep his nails trimmed and brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid plaque build up.

If you’re wondering how to keep your dog well groomed for the enhancement of this health, people such as your vet or professional groomers will do these grooming tasks for you.

Diet:

Top quality commercially manufactured dog food packed with vitamins and minerals needs to be your choice if you're going to be using these dog foods. Avoid the cheaper brands that use lots of fillers, sugar, salt, colorants and preservatives.

Home-made food is a wonderful treat for a dog and delicious, nutritious and simple ingredients such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables chopped up into his dry kibble from time to time will do him wonders.

Sometimes it will also be good to add in a little bit of raw meat too. Make sure there is a bowl of fresh, cool water available to your pet constantly.