West Siberian Laika 

 

                

The West Siberian Laika  

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.
The West Siberian Laika is the most numerous of the two, in fact, outnumbering all hunting dogs registered in the USSR, except the Russian Hound. 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.
 

 
General Apearance    The West Siberian Laika is the more entrenched of the two different Siberian laikas. This breed is used for hunting elk and deer in icy conditions. The West Siberian Laika is very depended on by the hunters for without this dog they would perish. Medium size; strong and clean constitution; bone structure well developed but neither massive nor coarse; muscles strong and well developed.

 

Characteristics    The West Siberian Laika comes from the same background as the other laika dogs. Because the work done by these dogs is so hard on them, they are used less than ten years as sled dogs and hunters. Colour  White, pepper and salt, red and gray in all shades; black colour permitted, also particolours and with patches of the same colours.

 

Origin  Russia (Siberia). The West Siberian Laika comes from a local line that other laikas descended from also. Most of these breeds were breed by the people to fit the needs of their specific area.  Skull   Similar In shape to an equilateral triangle.

 

 
Coat  Hair   Guard hairs of outercoat hard, well developed undercoat. Top coat straight and coarse. Thanks to the well developed dense undercoat, it is somewhat "stand off" and appears profuse. On head, ears and front side of the limbs, the coat is short; on withers, neck, shoulders and rear side of the limbs, the hair is longer; it forms a beard on the cheek bones, a collar on the neck and slight feathering on rear of limbs.

 

 
HEAD  Not large Stop  gradual, barely noticeable,

Muzzle  Long and pointed.

Lips/Flews  dry, close fitting

Jaw Teeth  White, large; scissor bite.

Eyes  Oval,  slanting, dark in colour.

Eears/Leathers  Pricked, set on high, pointed.

NECK   Muscular, dry.

 

 
PROPORTIONS Index of format (length of the body x 100 height at withers) in dogs 103 107, in bitches 104 108.

COLOURWhite, pepper and salt, red and gray in all shades; black colour permitted, also particolours and with patches of the same colours.

 
Gait/Movement  Typical movement . short trot, alternating with gallop.

TailS  trong curl; carried over back or buttocks.

TEMPERAMENT Balanced, lively.

SKIN  Thick, without any folds.

 

 
TEMPERAMENT Balanced, lively.

SKIN  Thick, without any folds.

Topline standard does not comment).Withers very  pronounced.

Back  Strong, straight.

Chest  well developed.

Ribs standard does not comment).

Belly  Slightly tucked up.

Loins  Short, supple.

Underline  standard does not comment).  

 

 

 

 
Forequarters Legs long.

Shoulders  Slanting.

Pasterns  not long, slightly inclined.

 Forefeet Oval, arched with tight toes.

Hocks Dewclaws  should be removed.

Hindfeet   Oval, arched with tight toes.

Hindquarters Muscular, strong, with well defined angulations of hocks.

 

 

 
COUNTRY   USSR
WEIGHT * 40-50 pounds
HEIGHT * 21-24 inches
COAT * Short, stand-off
COLOR * Solid or piebald in white, gray, tan, red or black
REGISTRY * FCI
GROUP *  North

 

 

 
Faults    Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault an d the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note* Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

 

 

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