The East Siberian Laika breed originates from Russia, where it was bred as a hunting dog. They are known for their pointed ears and thick double-coated coat. In addition, they have a developed sense of smell and a remarkable passion for hunting.
General details
Dogs of the breed are of medium size and muscular build. The weight ranges between 18 and 30 kilograms, while the height varies between 55 and 63.5 centimeters in males, and between 53 and 61 centimeters in females. The life expectancy of this breed is 12 to 14 years. They belong to Group 5 of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which groups Spitz and primitive type dogs.
Breed history in brief
The East Siberian Laika dog breed has a long history dating back to the nomadic tribes of Siberia. These dogs were used for hunting and herding, as well as working as draft and sled dogs. The early dogs of the breed showed great diversity with respect to certain physical traits, such as size or tail shape, and in fact, such variability is still noticeable today.
Although the breed has been popular in Russia for centuries, its international recognition is relatively recent. In 1996, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) finally recognized the East Siberian Laika breed.
Breed characteristics
The East Siberian Laika is a dog with a compact and strong structure, slightly longer than tall. The eyes are oval-shaped, dark brown with a friendly expression, while the ears are erect and positioned in a V-shape, with pointed edges. The tail is curled and positioned over the back.
The coat is double, with a soft, dense, woolly undercoat and a hard, smooth outer coat. The head and ears have short, dense hair, while the hair on the shoulders and neck is longer and forms a ruff. In addition, it has side whiskers and the tail is covered with smooth, slightly longer hair. The most common color patterns in the breed are black and tan, black and white, black, white and white with spots.
East Siberian Laika is a self-confident, independent and intelligent breed. They are known for their liveliness, loyalty and affection towards their family. They have a strong prey drive and are skilled hunters, but can also be trained for other activities such as obedience, agility and search and rescue. Dogs of the breed have a well-developed sense of smell.
Common health problems
Information on the most common diseases in the Eastern Siberian Laika breed is very limited. Even so, it is likely to be predisposed to some of the most common disorders in dogs such as hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts and skin diseases.
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