While Yakutian Laikas only recently became more well-known in other parts of the world, they are an ancient breed. As you may be able to guess based on their name, they first originated in the Yakutia region of Russian Siberia. The breed was used by the Yakut people in the region for herding reindeer, hunting, and pulling sleds across the snowy and icy terrain. The Yakut people are among the earliest known groups to have used sled dogs.
Sadly, the number of Yakutian Laikas started to decrease with technological advancements and other methods of transportation. However, the breed was saved in 1998 by a group of individuals who worked hard to keep it going.
The Yakutian Laika is standing in the park.
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Origins of the Yakutian Laika
The canine, recognizable by its pale eyes and mostly white, occasionally oddly colored coat, was first used by the Yakut people. The Yakut people are among the earliest known to use dogs for transport, and they are credited with using Yakutian Laikas for this purpose. Archaeological evidence from Siberia suggests that dog sledding in the region dates back thousands of years, with some findings estimated to be up to 8,000 years old.
When not pulling sleds, Laika helped with keeping reindeer in line, ensuring they remained close together, moving in the right direction dictated by the herder. These highly intelligent, athletic canines were also used to hunt waterfowl as well as foxes, which were treasured for their pelts, and even helped to lug wood for fuel.
For about half a century (between the 1940s and 1990s), populations of the species plummeted owing to the introduction of machinery to the Arctic as well as the presence of disease. Thankfully, their fortunes soon improved thanks to the efforts of canine enthusiasts. In 2004, the breed was recognized in Russia, and its popularity subsequently spread to the rest of the world.
Personality of the Yakutian Laika
Yakutian Laikas are very smart, eager to please, and pretty easy to train. Overall, they do well with children and can make a wonderful family pet. However, since this breed has a high prey drive, they are not ideal for homes with cats or other smaller animals.
This dog was purposely bred to be obedient to humans rather than obedient towards them. Even though the Yakutian Laika has excellent hearing and a sense of smell, which are great characteristics in a watchdog, this breed does not do well in that role. They are just too friendly. But they get along great with other pet dogs, as their role pulling sleds required them to work together well.
Owning a Yakutian Laika: 3 Pros and Cons
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| Easy to train: Overall, a Yakutian Laika is easy to train. They are smart and look to please their owner. | High prey drive: Yakutian Laikas have a very high prey drive and are probably not a good fit for homes with cats or small dogs. |
| Friendly: With proper socialization from an early age, these dogs can be very friendly and social with people. | Not suited for hot climates: These dogs have a heavy coat and can overheat easily in hot climates. |
| Healthy: Yakutian Laikas are healthy and do not typically suffer from genetic diseases. | High maintenance: Ideally, Yakutian Laikas should be brushed every day to keep their shedding under control during their shedding seasons. |
Size and Weight
Yakutian Laikas are large canines that were once employed in herding reindeer.
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These dogs are a large breed of dog. Males and females are typically around the same size, with a height between 21 and 33 inches and a weight between 40 and 55 pounds.
Common Health Issues
Yakutian Laikas generally enjoy good health, but may, however, be susceptible to bloat.
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Overall, these dogs are a healthy breed. However, as with all dog breeds, there are a few health concerns to be on the lookout for.
One potential health issue a Yakutian Laika may face is bloat. Bloat (gastric dilation-volvulus-GDV) is a condition that can impact larger dog breeds. The stomach twists and traps air, causing a potentially life-threatening situation. While the exact cause of GDV is not known, there is a link between eating a large meal followed by exercise, so take care to feed smaller meals and limit your dog’s activity after mealtimes.
They may also develop hip or elbow dysplasia. These are inherited conditions where the hip or elbow joints don’t develop correctly and rub against each other. These conditions can cause the dog significant pain and may require surgery to correct.
Yakutian Laikas may also be prone to more eye troubles. It is important to schedule regular checkups with a veterinarian to confirm there are no issues that need to be addressed.
Temperament and Behavior
These dogs have a very friendly personality, especially with the people they trust in their family. Overall, their traits make them good pets for homes with children, particularly those they are raised with. They can be very affectionate and playful. However, they may not be as tolerant of more rambunctious children or those who may try to grab or pull the dog.
While these dogs are often more reserved around strangers, they are unlikely to exhibit any aggressive behaviors unless they sense a threat to their family members.
How to Take Care of a Yakutian Laika
Yakutian Laikas are intelligent dogs that are easy to train.
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As you plan to care for your new dog, keep the breed’s temperament, health concerns, nutritional needs, activity requirements, and grooming needs in mind.
The Best Dog Food for Yakutian Laikas
When choosing food for your dog, look for a high-quality option. You may choose to purchase prepared food or make your own food at home. Whichever option you choose, consult with your dog’s veterinarian to ensure they’re getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy. The right amount of food for your Yakutian Laika can vary based on her weight, age, activity level, health needs, and other factors, so your veterinarian can be a good resource in this respect as well. To prevent potentially fatal bloat, make sure your Yakutian Laika doesn’t get too much activity immediately before or after eating.
If you are bringing home a puppy, it is important to realize that puppies will need to eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. They have smaller stomachs and can’t handle as much food as a full-grown dog can eat at one time.
Maintenance and Grooming
These dogs are not a hypoallergenic breed, as they shed. Most times throughout the year, the dog will require weekly brushing to keep his coat looking its best. However, they do experience seasonal shedding, when they will require daily brushing to keep the shedding under control and prevent the hair from tangling or getting matted.
You should also brush their teeth regularly to prevent plaque and tartar buildup or dental disease. Be sure to also keep your Yakutian Laika’s ears clean and free of wax or debris.
Training
These dogs are a pretty easy breed to train. They are very intelligent, and, as long as they trust their owner, will respond well to training. However, they are not very responsive to corrective training methods but do best with more positive training strategies. They can also be motivated by treats during the training process.
Exercise
These dogs have a medium-high energy level. Making sure this breed gets sufficient exercise is essential. They were used as sled dogs in the past, and as such, are used to doing a lot of daily work. They may enjoy taking a long walk with you, running alongside you as you ride a bike, playing catch in the yard, or pulling a sled.
Puppies
Yakutian Laika puppies playing in the grass.
©Elisabeth Abramova/Shutterstock.com
If you’re looking to adopt a puppy, you may find it challenging to do so depending on your location. This is a rarer breed that has only recently gained recognition in North America, having been accepted into the American Kennel Club’s Miscellaneous Class as of 2024.
If you do find a puppy to bring home, make sure your home is ready for the pup first. Puppy-proof the space where the dog will spend most of his time. Also, be prepared to give puppies and adults the training and exercise they’ll need to thrive.
Children
These dogs generally are good family dogs. They do well with children and can be very affectionate with them. This breed can also be highly protective of the children and other members of its family. They typically do best when they are raised with children in a home. However, while a Yakutian Laika can be very gentle with children, they are also not very tolerant of children who are not respectful towards them.
Dogs similar to the Yakutian Laika
Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, and Samoyeds are three breeds that are similar to these dogs.
- Siberian Husky: Siberian Huskies and Yakutian Laikas have both been used as sled dogs. Both breeds can be quite friendly and are known to shed a good amount. A Yakutian Laika is typically easier to train than a Siberian Husky.
- Alaskan Malamute: Alaskan Malamutes are another breed that was used to pull sleds. Alaskan Malamutes and Yakutian Laikas are both affectionate and very intelligent. Alaskan Malamutes are a larger breed, though, and weigh between 75 and 100 pounds compared to the 40 to 55 pounds that a Yakutian Laika typically weighs.
- Samoyed: Samoyeds are yet another breed that was used to pull sleds over the icy terrain. They also have long hair and shed a lot, like a Yakutian Laika. A Samoyed’s coat is white, cream, or beige, while a Yakutian Laika may also have some black, brown, or gray fur in addition to the white in its coat.
Famous Yakutian Laikas
Want to follow some Yakutian Laika pups on Instagram to get your daily dose of cuteness from this unique breed? Check out some of these pages:
Yakutian Laika Pictures
View all of our Yakutian Laika pictures in the gallery.
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Sources
- American Kennel Club / Accessed June 16, 2021
- Wikipedia / Accessed June 16, 2021
- The Spruce Pets / Accessed June 16, 2021
- Wag Walking / Accessed June 16, 2021
