West Siberian LaikaCharacteristics, history, training and care

The FCI standard says it is a native Russian breed from the forests of the Urals and of Western and Eastern Siberia, selected from the hunting dogs of the Khanty and Mansi peoples. At the beginning of the 20th century, Russian cynologists drew up the first standards for the Mansi (Vogul) and Khanty (Ostyak) Laikas. In 1947, these close relatives were merged into a single breed, and the standard of the West Siberian Laika was approved in 1952.

Wikipedia says the Second World War interrupted breeding for a while; it resumed systematically in 1946, when the breed began to take on its modern form. The standard says it is found in all the forested areas of Russia, from Karelia to Kamchatka.

How the breed developed

• Beginning of the 20th century – The first standards for the Mansi and Khanty Laikas.
• 1947 – The two are merged into a single breed.
• 1952 – The standard of the West Siberian Laika is approved.
• 3 June 1980 – The FCI recognises the breed.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile, so the rating is based on the FCI standard.

The standard describes it as a medium to large, solid, strong and well-built dog, with a lean, wedge-shaped head that looks like an equilateral triangle when seen from above.

General appearance

The coat is double: a dense, harsh, straight topcoat and a well-developed, soft, plentiful, woolly undercoat. On the shoulders and neck the hair is longer and forms a collar, and on the cheeks it forms whiskers.

The standard accepts grey with reddish brown, red with reddish brown, grey, red, fawn and reddish brown in all shades, as well as pure white or white with patches of these colours.

The standard describes it as balanced and vigorous, with a highly developed sense of smell and feel for game, an attentive and strong passion for hunting, equally good on birds and fur-bearing animals, self-confident and wary of strangers.

It is an independent working dog that needs an active owner, socialisation and plenty of recall practice.

Tips for effective training

• Practise the recall. Its hunting instinct is strong.
• Give it a job. It was bred for hunting.
• Socialise it early. It is wary of strangers.
• Keep it on a lead. It runs after small animals.

It is a hardy hunting dog, made for the forests of Siberia, and needs plenty of exercise every day, ideally out in nature.

Tips for a balanced life

• Best suited to hunters.
• It copes very well with cold.
• Brush it often when it sheds.

Coat and skin care

The double coat should be brushed once a week, and much more often during the moult, when the undercoat comes out in large amounts.

Common health problems

No health studies have been published for the breed and no specific diseases are known. As with any active hunting dog, it is worth watching out for:

Other care

• Check it for injuries after hunting.
• Check for ticks after outings.
• Go for yearly check-ups.

An active hunting dog needs good-quality food, adapted to its workload and the season.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Adjust the portion to its level of effort.
• Do not let it run straight after a meal.
• A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs under the coat without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months, but in large breeds it can be delayed until about two years. The body also reaches its adult form later than in small breeds.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In large breeds, a litter has around 7 puppies on average. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.

• The most widespread in Russia. The standard calls it the most widespread hunting breed in Russia.
• Made from two breeds. The Mansi and Khanty Laikas were merged in 1947.
• From Karelia to Kamchatka. It is found in all the forests of Russia.
• Whiskers. The hair on its cheeks forms whiskers.
• Birds and fur. It hunts both equally well.

What does it hunt?

Both birds and fur-bearing animals.

How big does it get?

Males measure 55–62 cm, females 51–58 cm.

What colours does it come in?

Grey, red, fawn, reddish brown, white or white with patches.

Is it suited to flat life?

No; it needs a lot of space and exercise.