| Country of Origin: | Russia |
| Registries: | FCI, UKC |
| Breed Group: | FCI: (West Siberian Laika) Group 5 Section 2 #306, (East Siberian Laika) Group 5 Section 2 #305, (Russian European Laika) FCI standard No. 304, |
| Occupation: | Hunting, an excellent guard dog |
| Size: | Height: 55- 66 cm (22-26 inches) Weight: 18-23 kg (40 – 50 lbs) |
| Longevity; | 12-15 years |
| Exercise: | Long daily walks, run, hunt |
| Training: | Socialization, Obedience or participation in a work |
| Grooming: | Easy |
| Colors: | Wolf gray, pale red and white |
Laika is a Russian dog breed. The work “laika” is actually a noun derived from word “layat” which is Russian means – barker. The word laika is also used in Russian cynological literature to refer to a varieties of hunting dogs. So laika doesn’t include just the three or four breeds known as “laikas” but also stands for other breeds that are classified as Nordic Hunting Dogs.
Sometimes, the word “laika” is also used to refer not only to hunting dogs but as well as to sled dogs such as for example Siberian Husky or Samoyed.
The Russian dog belongs to a large family of spitz dogs, which had evolved in different areas of northern Europe.
There are three varieties of Laikas: Russian- European, Western Siberian and East Siberian. Russo- European Laika originated from most north parts of Europe and is most developed in the central part of Russia. East Siberian Laika comes from a large forest in eastern Russia and the West Siberian Laika originated from the area north of the Urals. These dogs have a strong character and are always on alert.
Being loyal, very exclusive and specially mistrustful of strangers, they are very good watchdogs. They are also restless and noisy, and they are not designed to live in the apartment .
All three varieties have the characteristics of Nordic rush but also differences that need to confirm the existence of three different standards.
Russo- European Laika is 58 cm’ s tall. It is very lively. Its hair is straight and sharp, highly concentrated in the head and ears, slightly longer in other parts of the body and forms a collar. The undercoat is thick. The coat can be black, tan mottled with black, white, dark plain with color with white spots or white with dark spots. The tail is curled.
East Siberian Laika has a thick mustache. It is around 63 inches tall. It has a long and thick and woolly undercoat.
West Siberian Laika also has a strong mustache. It is around 60 cm’s tall. Its coarse hair covers its undercoat. The coat can be black, ginger and black marbled. Black and white coat colors are also allowed.