Laika

Laikas are fearless hunting dogs that can track down game independently, confront it, and alert the hunter with loud barking. They owe their nickname “Barker” to their ability to silently spot wild animals, corral them, and inform their handler with boisterous barking.

As diligent, highly capable hunting dogs, Laikas possess endurance and a strong desire for activity. They form close bonds with their handler, maintaining regular contact throughout the hunt.

Is the Laika a Family Dog?

A well-exercised dog of this breed group can be calm and gentle at home, usually getting along well with children. However, as a pure companion or family dog, they may not be suitable.

Ideally, this dog should reside in a rural area, in a house with a garden. Their proclivity for barking could become problematic in a city apartment.

Furthermore, these breeds need a lot of exercise.

Dog Sports for Stimulation

If not kept for hunting purposes, this energetic creature should be engaged in dog sports like Agility, Treibball, or Obedience. Dog sledding sports are also suitable, considering Laikas are often employed as sled dogs in their Russian homeland.

As search and rescue dogs, these willing-to-work furry pals also perform admirably.

Coat care for a Laika is minimal. Occasionally brushing the fur is typically sufficient, except during shedding periods when it should become a daily routine.

In terms of diet, they are unfussy eaters. It is important to choose a food with a high meat content, as this breed group does not tolerate carbohydrates well. The hunting dog prefers raw meat and meaty bones, making the Barf feeding method suitable.

Laikas are considered robust, resilient dogs with few breed-specific ailments known. Some instances of genetic eye diseases or hip dysplasia have been noted in certain dogs, most notably in the Yakutskaya Laika.

The life expectancy of these Nordic hunters is approximately twelve years.

The history of these creatures goes way back. Since ancient times, native peoples in various regions of Northern Russia have kept these rugged, sturdy working dogs.

Their range extends across Eurasia, from Finland to the Bering Sea.

Classic tasks include hunting large and small game and pulling sledges. They were also, and still are, commonly used as guard dogs.

Official Recognition by the FCI

In 1947, the Soviet Union established breed standards for four breeds: the West Siberian Laika, East Siberian Laika, Russian-European Laika, and Karelo-Finnish Laika.

Their recognition by the FCI followed in 1980. Since 2019, the Yakutian Laika has also been provisionally recognised.