Yakutian Laika

This versatile dog will be happy by your side or participating in agility, coursing ability, herding or sledding.

Daily Care

Grooming Tips

The Yakutian Laika experiences seasonal shedding that can get out of control if he is not brushed regularly. Generally, he should be brushed weekly to prevent matting and tangles. When shedding heavily, it is a good idea to brush him every day to keep the hair from getting onto everything.
Use a pin brush and metal comb when grooming. A deshedder or detangler may also make your job a little easier. Since the Yakutian Laika is a working dog, excessive trimming of his coat is not necessary. Trim between his foot pads to keep snow, ice and other debris from accumulating and causing him irritation.
His coat naturally repels dirt and he does not have an odor, so bathing should only be done two to three times a year. Trim his nails when needed, usually every two to three weeks. Clean his ears each week as part of his grooming routine.

Exercise Tips

The Yakutian Laika is a sled dog with a well-defined prey drive. The breed thrives on regular exercise and sufficient training. With a medium-high energy level, they love to run alongside a bike, do sled or rig running, or play fetch in the yard.
They play well with other dogs they are familiar with, but are wary of strange dogs and people. Usually, they warm up quickly, but supervision is a good idea in new situations. Yakutian Laikas are not suitable for people who cannot spend time with their dogs.

Feeding Tips

The Yakutian Laika should do well on high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to gettingoverweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level.
Treatscan be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Give table scraps sparingly, if at all, especially avoiding cooked bones and foods with high-fat content.
Learn about whichhuman foodsare safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Health Tips

The Yakutian Laika is a hardy breed, and to keep him that way, responsible breeders check for health concerns such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, bloat and certain eye anomalies.

Trainability

Training the Yakutian Laika is a rather pleasant and easy task thanks to his biddable nature and keen intelligence. This dog has a strong inclination to independent thinking so he won’t follow the handler’s orders unless he fully trusts him. Pulling a sled is an inborn talent of this breed, and it doesn’t need much training in this respect.
The Yakutian Laika seeks human leadership and guidance, but he doesn’t respond well to corrective training techniques. He works more eagerly if the learning process is based on positive reinforcement and tasty treats. As with any other dog, the Yakutian Laika should learn certain rules and norms of decent behavior in human society, so elementary obedience training is imperative.

History

The Yakutian Laika is a newly-developed dog breed with an ancient history. This working breed originated in the Yakutia region of the Russian Siberia and, in ancient times, the dogs were employed by the native Yakute people as universal animals. They were used for hunting, reindeer herding, and as draft animals, as well as the family pet. Often times, their pelts were used in religious ceremonies. Their most important role was in transportation. The Yakutes became the first known people to use dogs to pull sleds.
In the mid-1800s, the breed was thriving. But in the 1900s, progress began to diminish the need for the dogs and their numbers plummeted. In 1998, a group of enthusiasts worked to reclaim the breed and in 2004, the Yakutian Laika was recognized by the Russian Kynological Federation. Since the dawn of the Internet, these wonderful dogs have slowly been finding their way into other countries.