Karelo-Finnish Laika vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison

Karelo-Finnish Laika vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed ComparisonAmerican Hairless Terrier is originated from United States but Karelo-Finnish Laika is originated from Russia. Both American Hairless Terrier and Karelo-Finnish Laika are having almost same height. Both American Hairless Terrier and Karelo-Finnish Laika are having almost same weight. Both American Hairless Terrier and Karelo-Finnish Laika has almost same life span. American Hairless Terrier may have less litter size than Karelo-Finnish Laika. Both American Hairless Terrier and Karelo-Finnish Laika requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Working dog
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United States
Russia
Height Male:
18 - 45 cm
7 - 18 inches
38 - 48 cm
14 - 19 inches
Height Female:
16 - 40 cm
6 - 16 inches
38 - 48 cm
14 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 12 kg
6 - 27 pounds
11 - 14 kg
24 - 31 pounds
Weight Female:
2 - 10 kg
4 - 23 pounds
11 - 14 kg
24 - 31 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 16 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
6 - 10
Size:
Small
Medium
Other Names:
AHT, American Hairless Rat Terrier
Laika
Colors Available:
variety of colors and patterns (blue, black, brown, pink, sable and tan) with white
Reddish
Coat:
hairless, coated variety has a short dense coat
Longish and coarse
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Lively, Loving, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

american hairless terrierDerived from the Rat Terrier, the American Hairless Terrier was born in a litter of Rat Terriers in 1972.

The evolution of this breed is very different from other hairless breeds. The American Hairless Terrier was independently developed when a hairless pup was produced in a litter of normal Rat Terriers. The owners of this pup, Edwin and Willie Scott attempted to breed her to other Rat terriers but were not successful in having another hairless pup until years later. Then they had a litter with one male and one female hairless puppy.

From that point on they worked with a veterinarian and a geneticist to develop the breed until it was accepted as a separate breed from the Rat Terrier in 2004 and accepted into the AKC in 2016.

The breed is very rare and with hairless dogs breeding only produces about two thirds of the litter as hairless and one third as coated. If a hairless is bred to a coated terrier, the chances of getting hairless puppies are 50% hairless and 50% coated. It is very rare to get a hairless when breed two coated terriers. The difference between the American Hairless Terrier and other hairless breeds is that the hairless gene in most breed is a lethal dominant gene, but in the AHT it is a recessive gene.

karelo finnish laikaThe 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

american hairless terrier puppy - descriptionThe American Hairless Terrier is similar to it’s breed of origin, the Rat Terrier, and the coated AHT looks very much like a Rat Terrier. They are small to medium in size, very muscular and have more refined features than the Rat Terrier. Their round eyes can be a variety of colors including amber, brown, grey, turquoise and blue. The tail is not docked but rather long and thin.

The AHT might have eyebrows and whiskers or they might only have whiskers. Their head is broad, and wedge shaped with upright ears. They are an energetic, social and intelligent dog.

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

american hairless terrier dog - characteristicsThis is a curious, intelligent, little dog. They are terrific family dogs with a note to say they are better with older children than with younger. If they are raised with small children, then they are terrific with them. They are territorial, and the children become part of their territory. They will guard and protect them.

They need to play, and this is the biggest requirement for owners. Be sure you have time for them. This is not a couch potato dog. They have a lot of energy and can be destructive and “barky” if that energy is not dissipated. They are terriers through and through and love to “go to ground” whether going in holes they find or digging the holes themselves. They will go after small rodents like chipmunks. They need to be protected in these activities since their skin is vulnerable to scratches and cuts from brush. Their prey drive is strong, so it is important to protect them from themselves in this respect.

They are curious and feisty and every inch the terrier. Affectionate, friendly, and social it is also important to remember they can be scared easily, hurt if play is too rough, and this will trigger barking. They make very good watch dogs.

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

american hairless terrier puppies - health problemsThere are not many health problems bothering this sturdy little dog.

The American Hairless Terrier has limited breeding stock and it is still a rare breed. Its health problems are mostly related to its hairless state. The breed is highly susceptible to sunburn, rashes, pimples, and allergies. They often need clothing in all seasons to protect them from the heat of the sun or from the cold. The skin must be cleaned regularly often daily with soap and water. This is especially true if sunscreen is used as they are open to skin infections.

Hip dysplasia is also a common issue for this small breed.

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

american hairless terrier dogs - caringThe American Hairless Terrier has some food needs that might be different from other breeds. They should not be given food that contains soy, wheat or corn. They need to be fed at least 3-4 times a day in small amounts as puppies and twice a day as adult. Be sure to avoid overeating and obesity. Puppies need about 400 calories a day whether you feed four times or two times. The adult American Hairless Terrier needs about 500-600 calories per day. This might be half a cup to a cup per day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the American Hairless Terrier has skin health issues and is also prone to hip dysplasia.

Exercise and games

This is a great breed for games if you make them small to match his size. He is energetic, athletic and playful. He loves agility, lure chasing and barn hunt activities. They need a good half hour of vigorous exercise per day.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. American Hairless Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. American Hairless Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. American Hairless Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. American Hairless Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. American Hairless Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. American Hairless Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. American Hairless Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. American Hairless Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. American Hairless Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. American Hairless Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. American Hairless Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. American Hairless Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. American Hairless Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. American Hairless Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. American Hairless Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. American Hairless Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. American Hairless Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. American Hairless Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. American Hairless Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
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  25. American Hairless Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Karelo-Finnish Laika vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison