West Siberian Laika

Appearance: Strong Resemblance to the Wolf

The Laika’s endurance, speed and agility are evident in its well-proportioned body, characterised by strong bones and good muscles.

With a shoulder height of 55 to 62 cm for males and 51 to 59 cm for females, the West Siberian Laika is considered a medium to large breed. The slightly smaller height of its ancestors was intentionally increased in breeding to meet Russian hunters’ desire for a larger hunting dog.

How heavy does a West Siberian Laika get?

On average, a West Siberian Laika weighs between 18kg and 25kg.

Coat and Fur of the West Siberian Laika

Given the extreme weather conditions of its native Siberia, the Laika has a dense fur with plenty of undercoat. The fur is straight, hard (referred to as guard hair) and very water-resistant. It is longer at the shoulders, neck and withers, forming a typical collar.

In males, this feature can create a mane-like effect. This trait, along with the high-set, pointed erect ears, narrow wedge-shaped head, small slanted eyes, strong jaw and often wolf-like coat colours, makes the Laika resemble a wolf.

The colours of the West Siberian Laika are diverse due to the wide distribution of the breed and the many local variations, ranging from pure white to black, pepper-and-salt, wolf-coloured, reddish-brown, grey and even spotted or flecked.

Typical of all Russian Laika breeds is the distinctive curled tail, carried either to the side or over the back.

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Character: The West Siberian Laika is a Hunter

In its native Russia, the West Siberian Laika has been bred as a hunting dog for centuries. Unlike many other hunting breeds, the Laika uses all its senses. It proves to have not only an excellent sense of smell but also exceptional hearing and sight.

Thus, it can be trained for various hunting purposes: from hunting waterfowl, capercaillie and grouse, squirrels and lynx to hunting large game like elk, reindeer and bears. Like most hunting dogs, the West Siberian Laika has a degree of independence. Whether as a hunting, guard, companion or sled dog, it occasionally acts independently and autonomously.

However, this does not mean it cannot adapt to its human family. On the contrary, the Laika forms a tight bond with its primary caregiver and regularly seeks their proximity. Even during a hunt, the Laika never strays far from its handler, checking every 20 to 30 minutes to ensure the hunter is following.

This intense attachment to humans enables the Laika – despite its primitive roots – to also serve as a herding, protection, guard or draught dog.

Life in the Family

Once you’ve earned the trust of a Laika, you can achieve even demanding training goals. It’s essential that the West Siberian Laika gets a fixed place in its pack right from the start and that it can actively participate in the daily life of its humans.

It bonds closely with its pack leader, but it is also patient and loving with other family members, especially children.

If it is socialised early and comprehensively, cohabitation with other dogs and pets usually goes smoothly.

Care: Regular Brushing

While the West Siberian Laika is a very hardy dog, it still requires proper care. Its hard, smooth top coat effectively repels dirt and water, but you should still brush it regularly (approx. twice a week). During the coat change phase, you should even brush your Laika daily to remove dead hair and tangles.

In general, you should not mind dog hair in the house. Although the West Siberian Laika is typically a very clean dog, it sheds quite a bit of hair.

In addition to coat care, you should also regularly trim its nails and check and clean its ears, teeth and paws.

Keeping the West Siberian Laika

When it comes to care, the time investment might be reasonable, but keeping a Laika properly requires plenty of (free) time. Anyone considering a West Siberian Laika should avoid a full-time job. This human-oriented working dog is not suited for long periods alone.

As a primal hunting dog, it needs plenty of exercises, appropriate tasks and much contact with its caregiver. Keeping it in a small city flat or a kennel is not suitable. The Siberian breed thrives best in a house with a large, fenced garden where it can always be close to its people.

Training: Not a Dog for Beginners

For Laika’s training, a close bond between dog and human is essential. If your dog trusts you, relies on your competence and confidence as a “pack leader” and feels secure in your proximity and affection, it will willingly follow you.

To fulfil the role of a competent pack leader, you need knowledge, consistency and strong character. The West Siberian Laika is certainly not a dog for beginners.

People primarily attracted to the Laika’s appearance and primal nature should carefully consider whether their living conditions suit this breed.

The Right Diet for the West Siberian Laika

The West Siberian Laika has simple dietary needs. However, constant changes in its food bowl can overwhelm even its robust stomach.

Descendants of wolves, dogs do not require a variety of foods to stay healthy. They primarily need meat. Both their jaw and digestion are designed to process meat. Various types of meat and changing flavours are desirable for this main component, though.

Mind Your Dog’s Nutrient Needs

Whether you feed your dog wet, dry, raw (BARF) or cooked meat, it is important that the quantity and content of the food meet your dog’s specific nutrient needs.

These needs depend on various individual criteria like breed, size, age, activity level and health condition and can vary greatly.

If the ingredients are balanced, an adult Laika can manage with one to two meals per day. You should avoid between-meal snacks or constant treats. However, make sure fresh drinking water is always available for your dog.

Discover our range of dry dog food and wet dog food.

Exercise & Activities: A Laika Needs Plenty of Exercise and Activity

The West Siberian Laika is primarily a working dog, valuing its “work” as much as its people do. A life as solely a house or family dog doesn’t suit its nature. Only if it can sufficiently showcase its endurance, agility, speed and intelligence will it be a well-balanced companion at home.

Thus, this dog must have a task that challenges it both physically and mentally. Owners who do not use their Laika for hunting should provide adequate alternative activities, such as dog sports (agility, draught dog sports, tracking and nose work like mantrailing or training as a rescue dog).

Health: Healthy Working Dogs

Breed-specific hereditary diseases, often seen in trendy dogs, are not known in this primitive breed. Even common joint issues like hip dysplasia (HD) are rare in Laikas.

Breeding: The West Siberian Laika is not Easy to Find

Strict breeding standards and thorough selection have preserved the Laika’s excellent hunting capabilities and outstanding sensory perception.

The strong focus on working abilities meant that appearance became secondary. Thus, the West Siberian Laika was spared purely aesthetic breeding.

Unlike many other breeds, the Russians had clear ideas about the working traits of this breed early on. The West Siberian Laika’s breeding soon fell under strict control and took place in central, state-approved breeding facilities.

To maintain excellent hunting qualities, officially organised tests were introduced. Dogs failing to meet the high working standards were excluded from breeding.

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Purchase: The Desire for a Touch of Wilderness

With its healthy and robust nature, the West Siberian Laika meets many dog lovers’ desire for a touch of wilderness. Its wolf-like appearance further captivates people. This natural beauty combined with excellent hunting skills made the West Siberian Laika one of the most popular dog breeds in the former Soviet Union by 1960.

In Europe, the Russian Laika is still rare. Outside Russia, finding a purebred Laika from a proven lineage is extremely difficult. Expect long and arduous paths and a relatively high price for puppies. Even if you find a suitable breeder, they might advise against buying a Laika.

Don’t be surprised if the breeder asks personal questions during the first meeting. Committed and reputable breeders prioritise the welfare of the dogs over financial gain. After all, keeping such a demanding animal requires a lot of time, experience and space.

History: Originates from the Ural

As its name suggests, the West Siberian Laika originates from the Ural Mountains and the forested areas of West Siberia. It has been an integral part of Russian hunters’ lives as a working and hunting dog for centuries.

Its ancestors were the native dogs of the tribes living north and east of the Urals, the Mansi (formerly known as Voguls) and Khanty (formerly known as Ostyaks).

Selective breeding began in the mid-1920s in Sverdlovsk, Moscow and other cities of the former Soviet Union. In 1947, Russia established breed standards for four different Laika breeds.

Laika Breeds in the FCI

Since 1980, the West Siberian Laika, the Russian-European Laika and the East Siberian Laika have been recognised as separate breeds by the FCI. The Yakutian Laika was provisionally recognised by the FCI in 2019. Other Laika types, such as the Jezdoraja Laika, Nenets Laika or Karelian-Finnish Laika, have not yet been internationally recognised.

Within the FCI, the three Laika breeds are classified in Group 5: Spitz and Primitive Types. Along with the Norwegian Elkhounds and the Karelian Bear Dog, they form Section 2: Nordic Hunting Dogs.