In addition, the Russians have described a separate breed called the Karelian Laika ( Карельская лайка), descending from the Old Karelian 'Zverovoy' Laika. This helped to improve the gene pool of both the Russian and Finnish populations. In 2006, the Russian Kennel Federation and the Finnish Kennel Club decided to merge the Karelo-Finnish Laika and the Finnish Spitz together as only one breed (the Finnish Spitz). It was a close relative of the Finnish Spitz, as both breeds were bred from similar native dog populations. The Karelo-Finnish Laika, not listed in the FCI nomenclature, was a small Russian hunting dog, with the first standard published in Leningrad in 1936 by the Russian Kennel Federation. It is officially recognized in Russia and Estonia. Unlike the Samoyed, it has different colour variations, such as white, red, brown, sable, grey, black and piebald. It is used as a reindeer herding dog in northeastern Europe and West Siberia. The Nenets Herding Laika, also known as the Reindeer Herding Laika or Olenegonka is a close relative of the Samoyed - therefore also been called the 'Samoyed Laika' - bred by Nenets people. It is currently unrecognized, even in Russia.

It is typically 58 to 69 cms at height, weighing 34 to 50 kg, and its coat can occur in any colour. It is not known as a 'laika' breed in its original country of Russia, but rather as the 'Northeastern Sled Dog' ( severo-vostochnaya jesdovaya sobaka), so in its case the term 'laika' is simply in international or western use. The Northeastern Hauling Laika is a sled dog from East Siberia. In the US, it has been accepted to the Foundation Stock Service by the American Kennel Club. So far it has been officially recognized in Russia, Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Nordic Countries, and Brazil. However, nowadays it is solely a sled dog. The Yakutian Laika is a multi-purpose laika breed from the Sakha Republic, used both in bird and seal hunting, reindeer herding, and sled pulling. 304), West Siberian Laika (FCI 306), and East Siberian Laika (FCI 305), which had been bred from the aboriginal dogs of northern Russia and Siberia. These skills have glorified the Yakutian Laika as a versatile breed not only in Russia but also in many countries on different continents.International terminology Internationally recognized hunting laikasįédération Cynologique Internationale uses the word Laika in the names of three standard breeds: Russian European Laika (FCI standard No. For many centuries, the Yakutian Laika accompanied the northern man in everyday life, helping him to hunt, vigilantly watch his home, herd reindeers and transport goods in the severe conditions of the Far North.

The first Breed Standard for the North-East Sled Dog was adopted in 1958 and it formed the basis for the Yakutian Laika Breed Standard published in 2005 by the Russian Kynological Federation. Petersburg, 1856): “There are 15157 dogs in the Yakut region used for sled work”. The first mention of the Yakutian Laika’s total number found in the book “Statistical tables of the Russian Empire” (St. The first description of the Yakutian Laika appeared in the book “Geography of the Russian Empire” (Derpt, 1843), which announced it to be a “dog of a special breed”. The first published account of the Yakutian dogs was entitled “How Yakutians travel in winter” which was included in the book “Northern and Eastern Tartary” by Nicholas Witsen (Amsterdam, 1692).

The very first references about dogs in this region date back to 1633. Certain archaeological discoveries confirm that the local people used dogs for sledding and hunting as far back as 8000 years ago. The Yakutian Laika is an ancient native dog breed which was naturally bred by aboriginal people of the North East of Russia as a sled dog and a hunting dog.

Laika dog breed