Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Chippiparai - 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.

The Chippiparai is a working dog found in India and until recently there has been little interest in the purity of any breed, but rather only an emphasis on the abilities of the dog. They are only beginning to research the origin and history of their native dogs such as the Chippiparai. Not much is known about the origin of the breed except that it is found almost exclusively in Tamil Nadu and Keraia in the southern part of the subcontinent of India. Other than this there is much speculation about the breed’s origin but very little-known facts. It is indeed an ancient breed; however, its origin could be thousands of years ago or simply hundreds of years ago.

The speculation on the beginnings of the Chippiparai include:

• Perhaps it is a descendant of the Saluki as it resembles this breed quite a bit. It has been believed for some time that the Saluki is the original sighthound and the source of all sighthound breeds. The Saluki was very popular in the Middle East, especially in Persia and Arabia from which it could easily have spread to India. It would then have been shared from Northern India to Southern India where the Chippiparai is found.

• Perhaps the Chippiparai is a descendent of sighthounds from Central Asia and Afghanistan – the Tazi, Taigan, Hortaya Borsaya or the Afghan Hound. This part of Central Asia had more trade, influence and contact with the Indian subcontinent early in their history than with any other region. The Chippiparai is considered by some to be more like these sighthounds than like the Saluki and the interaction between these regions has a much longer history than the Middle East and India.

• It is also speculated that the Chippiparai might have been developed completely and uniquely from the local street and working dogs. With the civilization of India being one of the oldest in the world, it is considered a possibility that the Chippiparai is the descendent of the Harappan hunting dogs that probably were developed by the Indus Valley or Harappa roiling class.

Wherever the Chippiparai came from, they were the exclusive property of the wealthy and ruling castes. These upper castes were the only ones that could legally hunt with dogs or afford to feed one. The royal classes of Tiruneivell, Thanjavur, and Madurai all fed the popularity of the breed among the upper castes. They were coursing dogs used to chase down the prey once it was sighted. The Chippiparai are incredibly fast runners and would catch almost any prey and either hold it or kill it for their hunter. The Chippiparai, when not hunting, had to be chained so they would not chase any small animal that they saw. This confinement also added to the purity of the breed as random breeding was prevented.

The southern part of the Indian subcontinent is extremely hot with routine temperatures over 100’. The Chippiparai was developed to withstand these extreme temperatures and is more heat tolerant than most any other breed. They also need very little food and are resistant to the many parasites and diseases found in southern India.

Harboring the belief that Indian dogs were not as good as European ones, the occupying countries of Portugal, France, and Britain, had no interest in the Chippiparai, again leaving the breed to develop naturally on their own with little or no interbreeding. They also received no formal recognition because Indian culture only valued the dog for its working abilities. There was no Indian Kennel Club until 1956.

The Chippiparai is now very rarely and only found in the area of its birth. Many believe the breed is in danger of becoming extinct and even though it is now registered with Indian Kennel Clubs it is not often shown in their dog shows. Lovers of the breed are now attempting to get Indians to recognize that the Chippiparai is a great companion animal and attempting to save 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 Chippiparai is a typical sighthound although their size and appearance will vary more than that of registered purebred sighthounds. Typically, they will have a long, domed head with small erect ears and dark eyes. Their muzzle will be as deep and wide as the skull but longer. Their legs are straight and long, their chest is roached back and deep, giving them, an appearance very similar to a greyhound or other sighthound.

They have a long curly tail, and their coat can vary greatly in color. They are medium sized, and their coat is short, shiny and close. He is very slender and sleek, which along with his long legs gives him that incredible speed. They are thin with visible ribs.

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 Chippiparai is a loving, gentle family dog if well socialized, well trained and well exercised. They are very intelligent and need human companionship. Once they are living with a human family, they are very protective of that family. They are for the most part peaceful and quiet dogs. They are loyal and loving but they are not overly affectionate. Cuddlers they are not, and they do not like to play rough with children.

Accepting and loving within the family, the Chippiparai are equally hesitant and shy around strangers. They can be suspicious, but they are not aggressive. They are just very aloof with strangers, yet they hardly ever bark.

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.

There are no clinical studies regarding the health and health history of the Chippiparai, so little is known about their long-term health. However, most who know the breed, believe it is an incredibly healthy one. They seem to have a lot less genetically transmitted health issues than other purebreds. Because of their isolation for centuries in India, they have developed immunities and resistance to most parasites and diseases other dog suffer from.

Because of this you should look for the types of issues that occur in dogs of this size and build. Have them tested by the Canine Eye Registration Foundation and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

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.

Feeding

Do not overfeed your Chippiparai. Feed twice a day and no more than a total of 2.5 cups of high quality dry food.

Health issues

As mentioned previously the Chippiparai seems to have no genetic diseases or issues and very few acquired ones. However, he is sensitive to anesthesia and some foods. He is intolerant to cold weather and has a hard time with his pads on hard surfaces. Some Chippiparai might experience some of the ailments other breeds like them experience.

Dysplasia

Both Elbow and hip are possible. This can cause arthritis and lameness. This occurs when the bone does not fit well into the joint.

Luxating Patella

This can cause lameness as well. The kneecaps slide over the knee instead of staying in place.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy/PRA

Problems with the retina can lead to blindness.

Exercise and games

This is a hunting dog and he will want to hunt. They are incredibly fast and need the opportunity to run. Brisk walks will not be enough for this dog. He is very energetic. They will chase any small animals. It is not recommended that you have small pets even small dogs or cats with a Chippiparai. Having been bred for centuries to hunt, they are not likely to respond to any commands if they are off lease and chasing prey. Do not allow them to be off leash unless in a fenced area, and that fence needs to be 8 feet tall as they can easily jump a seven-foot fence. Try they at coursing, agility, fly ball and frisbee competitions.