East Siberian Laika

The East Siberian Laika originated in Siberia in far eastern Russia. This breed belongs to the Spitz family of dogs, which are generally recognized as being the most closely related to wolves. Their name suggests that they are found on the ‘east’ side of the Jenisej river. The breed is rare in the US and western Europe. East Siberian Laikas acclimate easily to cold climates and are well-prepared for hunting. But this doesn’t mean they won’t make good pets. You can train them easily, especially if you take up a pup early on and socialize it well.

5 East Siberian Laika Fun Facts

• The East Siberian Laika is the largest of all Russian Laika dog breeds.
• They bark much less than the other Laika breeds.
• They’re extremely calm and quiet for a hunting dog.
• The Siberian Laika isn’t your average urban dog and isn’t suited for an indoor environment.
• Originally bred to hunt, these canines have a strong prey drive. You could say that hunting is in their genes.

3 Pros And 3 Cons Of Owning East Siberian Laika

History Of The Breed

The East Siberian Laika originates from the Spitz-like Aboriginal dogs that were, in all likelihood, brought by tribes that were migrating from the west to the following areas of Siberia: Amur River basin, Baikal Lake region, Evenki National Territory, Irkutsk Province, and the Maritime Territory. They are an ancient breed, believed to be over 2000 years old, with fossils found dating back to the Neolithic period, which was 2200 to 10,000 years ago. It is believed that they may have come to Siberia with the migration of the Chinese and Mongolian people.

Types Of

In addition to the East Siberian Laika, there are four additional domestic breeds of the Laika:

• The Karel Laika — originated in Karelia, Russia.
• The Russian European Laika — originated between Finland and the Uralian mountains, mainly around Archangelsk, Komi Republic, and Karelia.
• The West Siberian Laika — lighter body, narrower head; from North Ural and West Siberia
• Yakutian Laika — from the Yakutia region of Siberia, Russia

Size And Weight

The East Siberian Laika is a medium-to-large-sized dog, a little larger than the average Siberian Husky. Their males are often a bit taller than the females. Males are between 21 and 25 inches tall, while females are between 20 and 24 inches tall. On average, the males and females weigh almost the same, ranging between 40 and 51 lbs.

The Best Dog Food For East Siberian Laikas

East Siberian Laikas were originally bred for hunting purposes. Therefore, their diet needs to be based heavily on protein to receive the same amount of nutrition they would if they were hunting in the wild.

Common Health Issues

Like all other dog breeds, the East Siberian Laika has a few common health issues. Like many dog breeds, the most common condition is joint dysplasia, a genetic joint disease that causes arthritis and joint pain in dogs if left unaddressed. Then comes bloat, which is when your dog overeats too fast, causing its stomach to twist and trap blood within. Thus, their meals should always be spaced apart and small in quantity.

Temperament

The East Siberian Laika has a hunting-fueled behavior. While they have evolved and adapted heavily, their behavior still shows several signs of their predisposed hunting traits. The dog’s common traits include territorial behavior, independence, and stubbornness. All these traits make them great watchdogs, but they can be challenging to train and socialize. Nevertheless, East Siberian Laikas are still quite friendly and show a lot of affection to their families. Once properly trained, they’ll make a lovely, courageous companion who will always protect you.

How To Take Care Of East Siberian Laikas 

The East Siberian Laika is an outside dog breed that flourishes in large open spaces. So please think twice before keeping it indoors. They require a protein-rich diet to mimic what their prey used to be in the wild. But overall, if you train them well and early, they’ll make a loyal and protective companion.

Maintenance And Grooming 

East Liberian Laikas have a very dense, heavily layered coat that is well-suited for the harsh winters of Siberia. They shed their hair often, another reason keeping them indoors might be problematic. Especially during the summer and fall seasons, these animals shed heavily, so be prepared with a heavy-duty vacuum. You must brush them daily during these seasons. In the colder months, even once a week should be okay. Use a pin brush, a slicker brush, or a metal comb to brush them, based on whatever suits your dog better.

In terms of bathing, you shouldn’t have to bathe them more than once or twice a year, unless they spend a lot of time outdoors and get especially dirty. Always use a mild shampoo and lather them thoroughly to remove any dirt in their dense fur. These canines also have hair between their toes and on their foot pads that should be trimmed every once in a while. Trim their toenails every few weeks and clean their ears once a week. They should not be shaved unless a vet recommends it.

Training 

Since they were originally hunting dogs, this breed is very independent. Therefore, the best approach would be to get a young puppy and start training it early. Training an East Siberian Laika requires a lot of patience and consistency from the owner. Thus, investing in a professional trainer would be a good idea if you have the time and resources.

Exercise 

East Siberian Laikas are outdoor dogs that need ample protein intake. However, like all other dog breeds, they also need physical activity to burn off any excess food and prevent bloat. Hence, the East Siberian Laika requires at least one hour of daily exercise and a few long walks. However, you won’t want to take them to a dog park as they do not enjoy the company of other dogs and may become aggressive. A hike or a dog sport such as cart pulling would be better.

Puppies

East Siberian Laikas have an average litter size of 6-10 puppies. If you plan on adopting a puppy, ensure they receive a series of core vaccinations every 2-4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age, following current veterinary guidelines.

East Siberian Laika puppies are much easier to train than adults. So it would be best if you could acclimate the puppy with your family and close friends from a young age. That way, there’s a much lower chance of any aggressive or erratic behavior coming out later in the Laika’s life.

East Siberian Laikas And Children

There is a common misconception that East Siberian Laikas would treat children as their prey because they are a hunting breed. The truth is quite the opposite of that. East Siberian Laikas are very friendly, protective, and playful with kids. Just ensure that you introduce East Siberian Laika puppies to your family early.

Dogs Similar To East Siberian Laikas

• Siberian Husky
• Yakutian Laika
• Alaskan Malmute