The Yakutian Laika is an ancient dog breed from the cold region of Yakutia, an area of northern Russia with extreme temperatures. The Sahka people of the region developed the breed not only to be an impressive sled dog, but a part of the human family as well.
Fans of the breed might know these dogs by one of their many monikers, including Yakut Laika, Yakutskaya Laika, Tungusskaya, Chubychanskaya, Arkticheskaya, Polarmaya, and Sledge Dog. Although these are purebred and somewhat rare dogs, you may still find them in shelters and rescues. Remember to adopt, don’t shop, whenever possible if the Yakutian Laika is the breed for you.
The fluffy and affectionate Yaikutian Laika makes an excellent family pet. They grow especially strong bonds with children they are raised with. Since this a breed that thrives with human interaction, they may not be becomest for someone who plans to leave their dog home alone for longer stretches of time.
Still, if you are up to give your dog loads of attention and exercise, you’ll find a loyal, extremely loving companion for the whole family.
See below for complete list of dog breed traits and facts about the Yaikutian Laikas!
Yaikutian Laika Dog Breed Pictures
Vital Stats:
Dog Breed Group: Working Dogs
Height: 20 to 23 inches
Weight: 40 to 55 pounds
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
More About This Breed
Highlights
- Yakutian Laika coats come in many colors, including white, gray, black, and brown. Most often, the breed is black and white, but some Yakutian Laikas are tri-colored with black, white, and brownish.
- Yakutian Laiksa will shed seasonally, also called "blowing" their coats. During this time, be sure to brush them daily to help the process and prevent a layer of fur on the floor. They may not be the best choice for allergy sufferers.
- The Yakutian Laika can be prone to weight gain, and they have high energy levels. Make sure your dog gets at least one good half-hour- to hour-long walk per day with a few good, active play sessions and shorter walks mixed in. After all, the breed is a sled dog, so they are used to traveling in packs! The fluffy breed can be playful, but they are also somewhat reserved, so there is less chance of them accidentally knocking down a smaller child.
- The Yakutian Laika gets along well with other dogs, especially if they are reared together. As for cats or other small animals, they can have a bit of a prey drive, but a bit of consistent training should help curb any unwanted chasing.
History
There is evidence that the Yakutian Laika dog breed has existed for roughly 8,000 years. The breed comes from an area of Russia where people have found the remains of 40,000-year-old wolves, and many fans and researchers of the breed believe the Yakutian Laika may be related.
Traditionally, the Sahka, the people of ancient Yakutia, trained the Yakutian Laika to be a sled dog. In the especially harsh winters of the region, the Sahka depended on sled dogs like the Yakutian Laika to transport goods and assist in hunting. They're often referred to as the original sled dog, as they were photographed as early as the 1600s pulling sleds.
The Yakutian Laika wasn't just treated as a working dog, though. Over thousands of years, breeders worked to eliminate aggression towards humans, making them the ultimate companion dog aswell. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the breed in 2004, adding the Yakutian Laika to their Foundational Stock Service group.
The friendly breed isn't known much outside of their native Russia, but their outgoing personality and stunning features are making them a lot more popular around the world.
Size
Male Yakutian Laika stand roughly 21 to 23 inches from the shoulder and weigh 50 to 66 pounds. The female Yakutian Laika can be a little shorter, coming in at 20 to 22 inches from the shoulder, but also weighing 50 to 66 pounds. Your groomer can help with this.
Personality
The Yakutian Laika breed has co-evolved with humans over thousands of years, so it's no wonder they are so affectionate and loyal to their people. Since being so close to humans is in their DNA, the Yakutian Laika will not thrive in a home where they have to be alone for long hours. The ancient breed of dog loves to be in the thick of it, constantly interacting with their human end up beingings. That is why the Yakutian Laika makes such an amazing family dog.
An intelligent breed, the Yakutian Laika is relatively easy to train. Positive reinforcement works best. Your Yakutian Laika might be stubborn or offer you a hard time with training if they feel you aren't giving them the amount of attention they deserve. Scheduling play sessions before and after teaching can help with this.
Yukatian Laikas are a medium-sized dog, and they can fare well in any abode provided that they have their own nook and plenty of play and cuddle time with you. Yard space is defwithinitely a bonus, but again, the Yukatian Laika will want you out there playing with them! If you work from home or live in a home environment where at least one person is always around, this usually breed could be a great fit for you.
Health
Yakutian Laikas are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they may be subject to certain health conditions. Not all Yakutian Laikas will get any or all of these diseases, but it is important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed.
Some of the more common health problems Yakutian Laika suffer from include:
- Elbow and hip dysplasia
- Bloat (gastric divolvulus)
- Eye conditions, including cataracts
Care
As with all dogs, you should keep up with your Yakutian Laika's regular veterinary checkups to keep up on vaccines and detect potential health conditions as early as possible. Your vet can help you develop a care routine that will keep your dog healthy.
The Yakutian Laika can be prone to weight gain, and they have high energy levels. Make sure your dog gets at least one good half-hour- to hour-long walk each day with a few good, active play sessions and shorter strolls mixed in. This breed also loves one-on-one playtime with their favorite humans, that is a great way to help keep your Yakutian Laika in shape.
Check their ears for debris and pests daily and clean them as recommended by your vet. Trim your dog's nails beregardinge they get too long -- usually once or twice per month. They should not be clicking against the floor.
That said, many dogs can be larger or smaller than the average for their breed.
Keep up with their oral health, too. You should brush their teeth daily. If your Yakutian Laika is not particularly fond of you brushing their the teeth, you can ask your veterinarian for some tips on how to brush their teeth properly.
Feeding
An ideal Yakutian Laika diet should be formulated for a medium-sized breed with high energy levels. Keep your Yakutian Laika healthy and happy by measuring their food and feeding them twice a day instead of leaving food out all of the time.
As with all dogs, the Yakutian Laika's dietary needs will change from puppyhood to adulthood and will continue to change into their senior years. You should ask your veterinarian for recommendations about your Yakutian Laika diet, as there is far too much variation among individual dogs -- including weight, energy, and health -- to make a specific recommendation.
Coat Color And Grooming
The Yakutian Laika has a double coat, which is compromised of a soft, dense undercoat and a slightly coarse topcoat. Like other breeds with double coats, your Yakutian Laika will shed seasonally, also called "blowing" their coats. During this time, make sure to brush them daily to help the process and prevent a layer of fur on the floor.
Their double coats come in many colors, including white, gray, black, and brown. Most often, the breed is black and white, however, many Yakutian Laikas are tri-colored with black, white, and dark brown.
Even though the Yakutian Laika's coat is meant to greatly help protect them from harsh climates, it is important not to leave your pet in any extreme temperature, hot or cold. Be sure to apply sunscreen to any spots on your Yakutian Laika's face or lighter areas as well.
Children And Other Pets
Yakutian Laikas are super people-friendly, and that includes kids. The fluffy breed could be playful, but they are also somewhat reserved, so there is less chance of them accidentally knocking down an inferior child. Still, it will be important to teach kids of all ages how to interact with your dog.
As for other pets, the Yakutian Laika gets along well with other dogs, especially if they are reared together.
Yakutian Laikas are super people-friendly, and that includes kids. As for cats or other small animals, the Yakutian Laika can have a bit of a prey drive, but a bit of consistent training should help curb any unwanted chasing. Make sure to introduce your Yakutian Laika to any some other animal in the house in a calm and controlled environment.
Rescue Groups
Rescues specifically for Yakutian Laika dogs might be hard to come by, as this an uncommon breed. However, it is possible to always check with your local shelter, and you may want to try a rescue that caters to all kinds of canines. You can take a look at the following:
- Wright-Way Rescue
- Angels Among Us Pet Rescue
By Dog Care Tip