This is a Karelo-Finnish laika, which some think is the same thing as the Finnish spitz.
It probably is.
In Russia, parts of Eastern Europe, and Finland, the dog used to retrieve shot waterfowl was almost always a dog like this one.
It was only when “improved” retrieving breeds from Western Europe became popular that they began to use those instead.
Interesting to see a spitz do that.
I have a number of clients that own spitz that like the water/to swim.
I find in the UK spitz breeds are written off as too difficult to train. This means the owners often just give up the dog becomes under stimulated and neurotic and it becomes a self fulfilling prophecies.
I’ve always found them easy to train and good active companion dogs.
Adam
All of my shar-pei (yes, they are a full blooded spitz) think water some kind of acid, judging by the way they tiptoe round puddles and hate being out in the rain. The only one I knew personally that liked water was my friend’s champion male. My chow on the other hand loved water and would paddle in the sea, ponds and streams all day long like some furry water buffalo. As for retrieving, that’s not really a chow or shar-pei’s forte. They’ll chase a ball if they feel like it, but any semblance of bringing it back only happens by accident. Especially when they have an audience, they much prefer watching it bounce across the floor, then looking at you like you’re a complete idiot – he-he!
I know I don’t need to tell you this, but spitz breeds are a huge group of mostly working dogs with a wide variety of uses. They’re often multipurpose dogs rather than specialists in one thing. That’s a consideration often lost when people choose them because the breed is cute (pomeranean), pretty (sibes), wolfy (malamute), wrinkly (shar-pei) or well ‘ard (akita).
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Yes they are varied.
I expect those breeds that have been used in water in some way have a stronger desire to swim than one that hasn’t.
However I think its mostly down to life experience. I often find that the influence of the other dogs around them makes a difference, e;g husky with a bunch of labs will be more inclined to swim.
Adam