East Siberian Laika

East Siberian Laika

Sponsored Links:

These are the other two breeds (in addition to the Karelo-Finnish and the Russo-European Laikas) established by the Russian council in 1947 as hunting/sledding laikas. They are combinations of types from various native tribes throughout Siberia.

They are bred by Khantu and Mansi hunters throughout the giant upper Ir-tysh River basin in the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains. These vast forest areas are hunted for their valuable fur animals: mink, sable, marten, squirrel, otter and even bear. As the local hunters say, “Without a dog, there is no hunter!” The most valuable of the dogs hunt sable (in winter called ermine), the prize termed the “white gold.”

This takes tremendous speed and endurance over snow or in forests littered with fallen trees. The praiseworthy dog must take one stride for each four or five bounds of the sable, continuing for long hours. Thus, these Laikas are selected for size and power with emphasis on being tall and a bit light to work in deep snow. Even the most accomplished workers “earn retirement after eight years of hunting,” so demanding is their chore. Temperaments are calm and even.

The last 25 years have seen tremendous progress in the number of uniform specimens, as well as in the high level of quality work of the West Siberian.

The East Siberian Laika, on the other hand, is still considered more of a conglomerate with only a temporary standard in existence. Many laikas are used hi Eastern Siberia, but the vast territory has created a large variety of types and strains, each with slightly different appearance and style of hunting. These dogs are generally larger and tougher than the Western Laikas.

Large scale breeding programs for the Eastern form began in the 1980s, and Soviet breeders hope to consolidate type and improve the skill level of this breed in the future. Although the overwhelming majority are hunting dogs, some of these are seen in the cities as companions.

Related Dogs Information: