Mary Allen
The term Laika (plural: Laiki) summarizes several Nordic dog breeds. Three of them are recognized by the FCI and are listed under the numbers 304, 305, and 306. These are the East Siberian, West Siberian, and Russian-European Laika dogs. They belong to group 5 of the Spitz and archetypal dogs and to section 2 of the Nordic hounds with a working test.
All Laika dogs are exceptionally gifted and persistent scavenger dogs that can silently track down their prey. However, when a Laika has caught the game, it barks loudly to inform the hunter. This has given the Laika dog its name, which derives from the Russian word “lajatj” meaning “barker”. Laiki is hardly ever used for hunting with us today. In eastern parts of Siberia, they still like to serve as watchdogs. In addition, the robust, undemanding snow walkers make the ideal sled dogs.
Laika Dog Breed Information
Size: 51-63cm
Weight: Russian European: 21-23 / West Siberian: 18-25 / East Siberian: 18-23 kg
FCI group: 5: Spitz and archetypal dogs
Section: 2: Nordic Hounds
Country of origin: Russia
Colors: West Siberian: white, pepper-salt, red, gray / East Siberian: pepper-salt, white, grey, black, red, brown / Russian-European: grey, black, fawn, and mixtures in between
Life expectancy: 12-13 years
Suitable as: hunting, rescue, and tracking dog
Sports: Treibball, dog tracking, agility, draft dog sport
Personality: Fearless, Balanced, Loyal, Gentle, Affectionate,
Leaving requirements: high
Drooling Potential: –
The thickness of hair: –
Maintenance effort: low
Coat Structure: East Siberian: long, coarse, dense and straight with a dense and soft undercoat / Russian-European: Hard, straight with a well-developed undercoat / West Siberian: straight, coarse, luxuriant, offset with a well-developed, dense undercoat
Kid-Friendly: –
Family dog: medium
Social: yes
Origin and Breed History
The Laika dog has been widespread throughout the Nordic region from Finland to eastern Siberia for centuries. His ancestors are Tungus and Yakut Laiki, who still bore very strong resemblances to wolves. In the inaccessible areas of Siberia, some of which could only be reached by dog sled, the faithful guards and draft animals played an important role in the past. Since the Middle Ages, they have also helped the Russian fur trade to generate large sales, because the Laiki, with their fine noses, were considered the best sable hunters.
Around 1880, Europeans were first able to admire the original hunting dogs from Siberia, which were shown at a dog show in Moscow. Since the middle of the 20th century, Laiki has been bred in Europe according to modern breed standards, especially the West Siberian and the Russian-European variant, the latter of which was established in the GDR era for wild boar hunting. The East Siberian Laika continues to have a strong presence in its native region and has also been popular in Scandinavia for several decades. In this country, however, it is hardly bred. Today, only about 40 Laika puppies are born in Germany each year.
Nature & Temperament of the Laika
The various Laika dog breeds hardly differ from each other in terms of temperament and characteristics, at most the East Siberian Laika is considered the most balanced and calm among them. They are all very resilient, self-confident, and undemanding. You can even move through deep snow for several hours in the freezing cold. The highly intelligent animals not only need a lot of exercise, but also mental challenges, preferably when hunting, tracking, or participating in a variety of dog sports.
In their family, Laiki dogs are friendly and calm, they have a strong guard instinct and are suspicious of strangers. If an intruder approaches their territory, they only try to announce it with loud barking and possibly drive it away, they do not become aggressive and never attack. Laiki is always looking for family contact and prefers to always have their familiar two-legged friends around.
Is the Laika a Family Dog?
Laiki is particularly fond of children and, as loyal protectors, take care of their whole pack. They like to have their family around and announce any stranger by barking loudly.
The Appearance of the Laika Dog
The East Siberian Laika dog is the largest representative of the three breeds and reaches a height of up to 66 cm at the withers. A West Siberian Laika is 52 to 60 cm high, as is the Russian-European Laika 52 to 60 cm. The slim, athletic hounds weigh between 21 and 30 kg. Females are always slightly lighter and smaller than their male counterparts, as is the case with most dog breeds.
With their woolly undercoat and hairy outer coat, the Laiki dogs are prepared for extreme cold. The West Siberian and East Siberian Laika come in numerous color variants from gray to reddish-brown and red to fawn. Black and white are most common in the Russian-European Laika, but there are solid-color dogs too. Laiki has a pointed snout, a broad, strong back, and a curved curly or sickle tail. Their close relationship to wolves is most evident in their faces and triangular heads.
How Big Does a Laika Dog Get?
The dogs of the three recognized breeds are between 51-66 cm (East Siberian Laika), 52-60 cm (West Siberian Laika), and 52-60 cm (Russian-European Laika) in height and reach a weight of 21-30 kg.
Upbringing and Keeping the Laika – This is Important to Note
A Laika, as an unspoiled hunting dog, is used to independence and should not fall into the hands of a beginner. Rather, he needs a master or mistress with a lot of experience and enthusiasm for this idiosyncratic and remarkable pedigree dog. The Laika dog is highly intelligent, has an excellent sense of direction, and will not be dictated to by an inexperienced owner. The relationship between man and dog can only be based on mutual respect, but then it becomes a deep, lifelong bond.
A Laika dog needs a lot of space and exercise outdoors, it cannot be kept indoors or in a kennel. Rather, he needs a house with a large garden in which he can move freely. If you want to accommodate a Laika on the property, you must secure the borders well. Because the enterprising tracker always finds a way out, but he finds his way back just as easily.
Diet of the Laika
The Laika is a direct descendant of the wolf and therefore prefers a diet rich in meat. Like a wolf that eats the whole prey animal including hair, skin, and bones, the Laika dog also enjoys it when the bones are delivered to him. So that it gets all the important minerals and vitamins, vegetables, fruit, potatoes or rice should not be missing as small side dishes.
Most Laiki is undemanding in their diet and enjoys both wet and dry food and barf. They have robust, insensitive stomachs, but they do not tolerate a radical change in their eating habits. Your digestive organs are fully geared to eating meat, which should always be the main ingredient in meals. However, the Laiki welcome a bit of variety between different types of meat and flavors.
Healthy – Life Expectancy & Common Diseases
The Laika dog has a life expectancy of 12 to 13 years. Since the dog breed has been preserved in its original form for centuries and has spread over a huge area, it has an enormous gene pool. All animals that have not been bred to a one-sided beauty ideal for dog shows are characterized by robust health and are not prone to diseases typical of the breed. If he is sufficiently exercised and kept under conditions that suit his nature, he remains slim, athletic, and in excellent health. All Laika breeds are very resistant to cold but do not tolerate Mediterranean heat.
How Old Does the Laika Breed of Dog Get?
Healthy, purebred Laika dogs have a life expectancy of 12 to 13 years. There are no known breed-specific diseases in animals from proven breeding lines.
Grooming the Laika Dog
The Laika requires little grooming, occasional brushing is sufficient. The Laiki change their coat of hair twice a year in spring and autumn. Normally their coat should be brushed about twice a week, with the only exception being that the breed needs daily assistance at the time of shedding. During these periods of dandruff, even hair loss is quite normal.
Some of the dogs, used to the Siberian cold, cannot endure prolonged stay in heated rooms. Therefore, it can happen in winter that they suddenly shed their hair in clumps. If a dog suffers from hair loss outside of the molt and without the influence of heating air, this can be a sign of lice, fleas, fungal infestation, or bacterial disease. To be on the safe side, a veterinarian should be consulted.
To prevent infection, the Laika’s ears, teeth, and paws should be checked and cleaned once a week, and clipping of the claws is also a good idea.
Laika – Activities and Training
A Laika dog needs plenty of challenges and multi-hour daily activities. The born hunter is best led in hunting, but alternatively, he can let off steam in demanding dog sports. Suitable sports are agility, Treibball, or dog trekking.
As predestined draft dogs, Laiki is also suitable for dog sledding. The main thing is that the Laika dog gets enough exercise outdoors every day and can use its intelligence at the same time.
What is a Laika Used For?
The Laika is a classic hunting dog that is also used as a guard dog, family dog, and sled dog.
Good to Know: Special Features of the Laika
Many people associate the Laiki breed with the dog named Laika, who was the first animal to travel in space in 1957 as part of the Soviet space mission Sputnik 2. However, it was a mixed-breed dog who had lived in Moscow as a stray. The small Laika, which initially weighed only six kilograms, completed a demanding training program and was then docilely locked in an 80-centimeter space capsule. However, just five hours after launch, Laika died from heat, stress, and exhaustion after completing nine orbits around the world.
Cons of the Laika
A Laika dog needs constant exercise and challenge. In addition, the dog breed is very affectionate and hardly leaves its master or mistress’ side. He wants attention and activity almost around the clock.
Another disadvantage is that Laiki likes to bark loudly and for a long time, which is not acceptable in every neighborhood. Since the free-spirited Nordland dogs are reluctant to learn, their training only succeeds with a great deal of time and composure.
Another minus point is the severe shedding of the animals because even healthy Laiki leaves a lot of wool on furniture and carpets outside of the shedding periods.
Is the Laika Right for Me?
A Laika should only be owned by a lover who is able to devote a lot of time to the dog and exercise it sufficiently. The demanding hound needs an experienced owner whom he can respect as a competent pack leader. He only feels comfortable on a large plot of land with a garden where he has enough exercise and at the same time can fulfill his guard duties. The breed is not really suitable for seniors, as it can overwhelm a more settled owner with its urge to be active. This pedigree dog quickly makes friends with children and is particularly affectionate towards them. He is therefore a suitable family dog, but the Nordic hunter will never become a cuddly dog. He is particularly suitable as a watchdog for people with a lot of time and a spacious, fenced country estate.
If you want to buy a healthy, purebred puppy, you have to put in some effort. In Central Europe, there are only a handful of breeders who offer animals from proven breeding lines. They demand steep prices of around $1,300 and $1,500 and do not sell their animals to anyone who is interested. An applicant usually has to convincingly answer a large number of questions about his lifestyle, his family environment, and his living conditions. Reputable breeders want to be sure that their animals are in good hands.