Description

Also called the Yakutskaya Laika, this ancient Arctic breed is a medium sized Spitz-type dog. Like many ancient breeds, the Yakutian Laika is wolf-like, with a wedge-shaped, pointed head. The head is fairly broad, the triangular ears are upright, and the teeth meet in a scissor bite. The eyes are almond-shaped and usually brown, but blue eyes and odd eyes are also common.

The Yakutian Laika has a compact body, with a slight slope from the shoulders to the base of the tail. They are surprisingly wide and muscular – as befits a working dog; with a fairly deep chest. The high-set furry tail curves up over the dog’s back. The straight strong legs end in fuzzy feet, with hair between the toes for maximum warmth.

Origin: Yakutia Republic (Russia)

Look

The Yakutian Laika comes in many colours, but always has some white fur. As a result, these dogs are bicolour or tricolour. Their fur is thick and glossy. It grows straight, with a coarse texture, and is of medium length. They are double-coated, with an undercoat that is thick and fuzzy, keeping the Laika warm in the Arctic chill. On the neck the fur forms a mane, especially in males. Thick feathers grow on the back sides of the front and hind legs.
They shed seasonally, but daily brushing during the shedding season will help to keep their coats in good condition. A de-shedding brush might be a good investment for this breed. The rest of the year, you can just brush your Laika weekly to remove any loose fur and dander. You may need to trim the fur between the toes to stop dirt and debris from accumulating and hurting the dog’s paws.

Health

While generally a healthy and hardy breed, the Yakutian Laika can suffer from one or more of the following health issues:
• Hip Dysplasia
• Bloat (gastric divolvulus)
• Elbow dysplasia
• Some eye abnormalities
At Newdoggy.com, we recommend that you buy your dog from reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines.

Learning

The Yakutian Laika dog breed is both keen to please and very clever: a winning combination! They tend to be independent thinkers, but if your Laika trusts you, they will be willing to listen and learn. If you’re looking for a sled dog, the Laika is a natural and takes to it like a duck to water! Positive reinforcement is a good training method for this breed.

Temperament

Although they are working dogs, Yakutian Laikas also make wonderful companions, as they are kind and loyal to their human family. They are also protective, though usually not aggressive if they have been well socialised. The Yakutian Laika saves his/her affection for family; strangers are treated coolly until the Laika knows them better. When the Laika knows someone better, he/she is warm and friendly.

Living with

The Yakutian Laika developed to be a working dog. In the Yakutia Republic they are used for sledding and herding, and your Laika will have the same activity level as its northern relatives. If you love sledding then a Yakutian Laika is a great choice, though they are both intelligent and athletic enough to succeed at a variety of canine sports. Be careful not to over-exercise young dogs, as this breed is a t risk of developing hip and elbow dysplasia.

Yakutian Laikas hate to be left alone and become bored very easily. This is a dog that needs regular exercise and training to stay happy. You can take your Laika running or walking with you to meet their physical needs, and teach them new tricks to meet their mental requirements. This breed is a wonderful family dog, but has a strong prey-drive and might not get on with smaller pets (especially rodents and rabbits).