At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
double coat, harsh straight guard hair and woolly undercoat
A strong, rangy spitz-type hunting dog, slightly longer than tall, with pricked ears and a curled tail. Its weatherproof double coat has coarse, straight outer hair over a soft, thick undercoat, forming a ruff around the neck and shoulders and dense tufts between the toes.12
Personality what they are like
Even-tempered and kind toward people, yet bold and self-reliant when hunting. It has a strong drive to find game and can work well away from its owner, deciding for itself how to follow a trail.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. It was bred for long days in the forest, so it needs a lot of daily exercise and ideally real outdoor work such as hunting, tracking or long hikes.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush weekly, and more often when the thick undercoat sheds; the coat is naturally weather resistant and needs little else.1
Home where they are happiest
Thrives in cold climates and rural settings with lots of room; a secure yard is helpful given its independent hunting instinct.12
Company who they like around
Friendly and open with people and forms a working partnership with its owner; it enjoys having an active role.12
The story where it all began
Hunters across eastern Siberia long relied on local laikas for hunting, sledding and herding reindeer. In 1947 Soviet cynologists combined several regional types, such as Evenki, Amur and Baikal dogs, into one breed, and systematic kennel breeding followed in Irkutsk and Leningrad.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is used on game from small squirrels and sable up to moose and bear.2
- 2
Several regional types feed into the breed, including Evenki, Irkutsk, Yakutian, Amur and Tofalar laikas.2
- 3
Besides hunting, its ancestors pulled sleds and helped herd reindeer.2
- 4
Thick fur grows between its toes to protect the feet on snow and ice.1
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 305, Group 5 (Spitz and primitive types), Section 2 Nordic Hunting Dogs, with working trial; definitive recognition 3 June 1980; standard published 13.10.2010.3
- USSR / RKF
- Breed designated in 1947, provisional standard 1949, final standard 1981.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a East Siberian Laika. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
- Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
- Bathevery 10 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 305 East Siberian Laika fci.beused for origin, history, size, coat, colours, temperament
- East Siberian Laika - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for history, types, uses, fun facts
- FCI nomenclature: East Siberian Laika fci.beused for recognition status and date
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.