Yakutian Laika
A Siberian sled and hunting dog from the Sakha region, where it worked for the Yakut people for centuries. Often blue eyed, and it hunts as readily as it hauls.
Photo by Yras, CC BY-SA 4.0
Overview
The Yakutian Laika comes from the Sakha Republic in northeastern Siberia, one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth, where it hauled sledges, hunted and herded reindeer for the Yakut people for centuries. It nearly disappeared in the twentieth century as snowmobiles replaced dog teams and was rebuilt from the 1990s.
It often has blue or odd coloured eyes, and it is built for genuinely extreme cold.
Temperament
Friendly, energetic and pack oriented. Yakutian Laikas are affectionate with their families, good with children, and sociable with other dogs, which reflects generations of working in teams.
They are vocal, howling and talking rather than barking much, and they have a strong prey drive and a real inclination to roam. They are independent and they train on their own terms, and they do badly alone.
Care and grooming
A very thick double coat that needs weekly brushing and daily attention during the two enormous moults. It should never be shaved.
The breed is generally healthy with a working gene pool. Hip dysplasia and eye conditions occur at low rates. Ten to twelve years.
Living and exercise
Two hours a day minimum, with harness work ideal. They pull and they enjoy it.
Heat is a serious problem for a dog built for Siberia. They are rare outside Russia and they suit a cold climate and an active owner.
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