At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
double, harsh spitz coat
A medium, squarely built spitz with lean muscle and strong bone, prick ears and a tail curled over the back. The coat is a harsh, straight top layer over a thick woolly undercoat, forming a ruff around the neck and shoulders. Heights differ by source: the FCI gives 52-58 cm for males and 48-54 cm for females, Wikipedia 54-60 cm and 52-58 cm.12
Personality what they are like
A steady, level-headed hunting companion with a keen nose and strong instincts. With its own people it is warm, lively and tolerant of children, and it keeps an alert eye on its territory. It may be less easygoing with unfamiliar dogs and small animals.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A working hunter that needs lots of daily exercise and outdoor time, ideally with chances to use its nose.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Weekly brushing of the double coat, stepping up during seasonal shedding of the undercoat.1
Home where they are happiest
Suits an active, outdoorsy home with secure space; it is a natural barker, which is worth keeping in mind for close neighbours.2
Company who they like around
Strongly people-oriented and loyal; introductions to other dogs and pets should be gradual.2
The story where it all began
Pointed-eared hunting dogs from different areas of European Russia were recorded from 1895. After the Second World War a programme started by E. I. Shereshevsky in 1944 merged these regional types into one breed, and a formal standard followed in 1952.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 304, Group 5 (Spitz and primitive types), Section 2 Nordic Hunting Dogs; definitive acceptance 3 June 1980, current standard 13 October 2010; working trial required.3
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Russo-European 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 8every 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. 304 fci.beused for history, coat, colours, height, temperament
- Wikipedia: Russo-European Laika en.wikipedia.orgused for history, height, colours, temperament, uses
- FCI nomenclature: Russian-European Laika (304) fci.beused for recognition
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.