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KARELIAN BEAR LAIKAS |
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Large hunting
laikas from Karelia and neighboring areas on the Russian/Finland border
have become popular throughout European Russia as well as in Finland.
The breed that the Finns fostered took on the name Karelian Bear Dog.
In Russia (Karelia is now a territory of the Soviet Union), the breed
is called Russo-European Laika, but they are much the same dog in background,
appearance, and hunting style. The Russian strain called the Karelian
Bear Laika is larger and more aggressive, creating a more specialized
elk and bear dog. But all of them are big dogs, slightly longer than tall,
and they boast a robust, athletic stature. Although the tail preferably
plumes over the back, natural bobtails do exist and, while frowned upon,
are still conceded by both the current Finnish and Soviet standards.
The dog always
was employed for a variety of game, but interest was aroused in the breed
by his reputation as a big game hunter. This was especially true of the
Russian aristocracy in the last century. Bear Dog was accepted as its
name, which gives the breed a certain dignity and stature. Although the
breed remained fairly pure in backwoods villages for centuries, in the
1930s the Finnish Kennel Club took this breed into its planned breeding
programs, furnishing the boost needed to guarantee the breed's preservation.
The Winter
War (between Russia and Finland in 1939^0) nearly decimated the breed
and only a few fanciers remained. By the 1960s, the Karelian Bear Dog
was seriously declining in Finland. Poor breeding practices—using parents
without good abilities—were creating puppies which disappointed hunters.
Conscientious breeders brought this laika back to today's strength in
both numbers and abilities.
The Karelian
Bear Dog in Finland has been used mainly as a hunter of elk. Now trials
to choose breeding stock are held and are said to be very demanding
on both dog and hunter. Erkki Tuominen, a Finnish breeder, says of the
breed, ". . . its future depends on how we can retain and further
develop its ability as an elkdog."
He described
the dog eloquently in a letter: "A definite kind of abruptness,
which could also be named self-respect, belongs to the tempera-ment
of the Carelian Bear Dog [Finnish spelling]. In a pinch it is unfailingly
brave, never yielding, even merciless. This is the dog for a big-game
hunter both in essence and character .... If one would have to describe
the Carelian Bear Dog with a word, it would be grand .... Its
black-white colour, the fiery look of ... dark eyes and the stateliness
and strength of its essence capture the eyes of a hunter . . . like
a piece of wild and untamed wilderness . . . firm barking in [the] autumn
landscape, the angrily puffing elk; that is Finnish big-game hunting
at its best."
These big-game
hunters are used for other types of quarry as well, depending on their
owner. In Russia the laikas hunt squirrel, fowl and mink as well as
bears, moose, boars and even wolves. American owners agree that the
Karelians are excellent squirrel dogs. Contrary to the name, laika
meaning barker, these dogs are always silent trailers, beginning
their barking only when the game is treed or otherwise cornered.
At that point, they begin their continuous barking to keep the quarry
occupied until the hunter is within shooting range. They generally
hunt singly, due to their aggressive tendencies.
Karelian
Bear Dogs are owned and bred in Canada, America and other European
countries as well as Russia and Finland. Owners emphasize they are
a working breed and must have plenty of exercise, and that the dogs
are most happy when owned by an outdoor enthusiast. Most are housed
outside to keep them acclimated to the colder temperatures. They are
tough and independent, but form a strong bond with their owner. These
characteristics make them sharp guard dogs. The breed is aggressive
with other dogs and will fight an intruder—human or canine—to the
death, if need be. The Karelian does not make a good pet for those
unable to control him. Training, socialization and leash control in
public are advised.
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