LAIKA

This Russian animal was bred to the North of Europe from the hunting Laika, which was selected for hunting and shooting. Currently, its diffusion reaches many other areas, mostly in the central Russian area, large farms abound. There are three varieties in the same breed, which are told apart in the fur and stand, although not in a very significant way.

The keeshond female has four or five puppies in each delivery. This dog’s longevity is from 12 to 13 years.

The name Laika generically means barker, which makes us think that the pioneer space travel could have been just that, a barking little dog.

PHYSICAL TRAITS of the LAIKA
It is a rustic and resistant breed, which can endure temperature below 40° C. The called Russian- European Laika stands at 52 to 58 cm and lhard, rigid and short hair with some fringes and a dense and woolly undercoat well attached to the skin, which is somewhat separate from the body. It can be black with white spots or white with black spots. The Oriental Siberia laika variety is 55 to 63 cm and has long and dense hair, with a mane in the males, in almost every shade of gray and red, although it can be grayish, black or white. The Occidental Siberian variety has short and hard hair, as the Russian European, but with the colors of the Oriental Siberian; its weight is between 55 and 60 kg. Every variety originally comes from the same strong and muscular dog, at the same time slender and agile, with a peculiar running style that goes from the long gallop to the short trot, and vice versa, without mediating or pausing. This dog has a head proportioned to its size, a fine and elongated muzzle, sort of medium sized eyes and oval shaped; oblique and dark and pointy, triangular and very erect ears.

TEMPERAMENT AND ADAPTATION of the LAIKA
The Laika dog is fairly active, hard working, lively and cheerful. It accepts training well, it learns quickly and adapts to the family life as long as it is in low temperatures and wide spaces in order to move as it pleases.

This breed is prepared for hunting as well as for sled pulling. Nowadays it is used more as a company animal and is little known outside of Siberia.

EXERCISE AND CARE required for a LAIKA
Being it a breed for very cold climates, it is not advised for people living in very warm areas since this animal suffers a lot in the heat. It is a healthy dog that doesn’t need special care, except for long and frequent exercise.