Russian-European Laika
A bold, energetic Russian hunting spitz that works independently in the forest and suits experienced, active owners.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 52–58 cm · Females 48–54 cm
- Weight
- Males 20–23 kg · Females 18–21 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 90–150 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Double coat, medium
- Colours
- Black, White, Piebald, Grey
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent, Guarding
- Country of origin
- Russia
- FCI
- Group 5, no. 304 · Spitz & primitive types
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with cats | 1/5 – Very low |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 5/5 – Very high |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 4/5 – High |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 1/5 – Very low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 5/5 – Very high |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- hunt or spend a lot of time in the forest
- have experience with primitive or spitz breeds
- live in a cool climate
Think twice if you …
- have other pets
- want a calm house dog
- live in a city flat
Care
Temperament
Courageous, alert and loyal, it is devoted to its owner but wary of strangers and can be aggressive towards other dogs and animals.
Exercise
It needs well over an hour daily of hard activity, ideally hunting, tracking, long forest hikes or canicross.
Grooming
The dense double coat needs brushing a few times a week and more during the moult.
Training
It is clever but independent; train with patience and consistency, and expect recall to be challenged by game.
Health
A hardy hunting breed with few documented problems; hip dysplasia occurs occasionally. Ask the breeder for hip and eye results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Russian-European Laika was developed in the twentieth century in the forested regions of north-western Russia, standardised from local Laika types used by hunters. It finds game such as squirrel, wood grouse, elk and even bear, marking it by barking.
It is a working dog with a lot of drive and a strong hunting instinct. With its owner it is loyal and affectionate, but it is suspicious of strangers, territorial and often quarrelsome with other dogs. It needs a great deal of exercise and work and is happiest with a hunter or very active outdoor owner in a cold climate.
Did you know?
Russian-European Laikas are traditionally used to tree squirrels and other game, then bark to mark the spot for the hunter.