meet the...Russo-European Laika
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 2: Spitz and Nordic Breeds
Sub-group :
Origin Country Russia/Northern Europe
Weight Males: 45-55 pounds. Females: 45-55 pounds.
Height Males: 20-23 inches. Females: 19-22 inches.
Other Name(s) Russian-European Laika, Russko-Evropeiskaia Laika
Breed Type Pure
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Origins
Laika translates to “barker” in Russian. These ancient dogs were originally developed to hunt large game, such as boar, bear, reindeer, and elk. The different areas of Northern Eurasia developed their own variety of Laika dogs, with each being slightly unique to suit the people or environment’s needs.
The Russo-European Laika was developed from the original indigenous hunting dogs of the Siberian and Russian forests. These dogs came from the areas of Komi, Udmurtia, Arkhangelsk, Yaroslavl, Tyer, and Moscow, and the dogs were named after their various regions. These dogs were once the most prevalent hunting dogs throughout Russia; however, they were quickly replaced by European hunting dogs. Realizing the need to preserve these breeds, enthusiasts gathered as many of the original remaining specimens as possible and worked on the breed for several generations. The breed types were combined to produce offspring that best fit the dogs’ original form and function. In 1952, the breed was standardized.Breed Characteristics
Head: Somewhat long mesaticephalic skull-type, moderate in size, forming an elongated wedge-shape. The head is fairly lean and shaped like an equilateral triangle when viewed from above. The topskull is moderately broad yet more elongated than broad. In profile, it is slightly arched, and from the front, it appears flat. The occiput is well pronounced. The superciliary arches are slightly developed. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, obliquely set, and brown to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium in size, set fairly high on the skull, and set well above the level of the eyes. They are firmly erect. The ears are never long, overly large, or broken.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad, yet lean. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight and level. It tapers slightly from the broad base toward the nose, forming a wedge shape, and is slightly pointed. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipey or weak.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black. The nostrils are well opened.
Neck: Moderately long length to allow for good head carriage and powerfully muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is well developed without being excessively pronounced.
Body: Solid, athletic, powerful, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined or heavy and cloddy. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, usually in a moderate to loose curl or sickle that touches the back, croup, or thigh but is never tucked. In repose, it appears moderately long, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down.
Movement: Powerful, smooth, flowing gait with graceful movements. Movement is energetic, effortless, and efficient. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: The Russo-European Laika breed is a true hunting dog with a strong desire to track and apprehend game. When allowed to work out their natural talents, instincts, and drives, they are a devoted companion. However, experienced Laika handlers understand that these dogs are intelligent, independent thinkers. They are known to be aloof toward strangers and can become aggressive towards other dogs, especially those of the same sex. For this reason, Laikas are recommended for experienced working homes that will allow them to explore and enjoy their natural instincts. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 2: Spitz and Nordic Breeds
Proportions: Somewhat square in proportions, with the length of the body measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being equal to the height at the withers. The ideal body-height-to-length ratio is approximately 1:1 to 10:9. Females may be slightly longer. The body is well put together and clean, with sturdy substance and moderate yet sturdy bone. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. The weight of males or females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Somewhat long mesaticephalic skull-type, moderate in size, forming an elongated wedge-shape. The head is fairly lean and shaped like an equilateral triangle when viewed from above. The topskull is moderately broad yet more elongated than broad. In profile, it is slightly arched, and from the front, it appears flat. The occiput is well pronounced. The superciliary arches are slightly developed. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Expression: Intelligent and intent.
Stop: The stop is only slightly pronounced.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is between 1:1, with the topskull being equal to the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad, yet lean. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight and level. It tapers slightly from the broad base toward the nose, forming a wedge shape, and is slightly pointed. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipey or weak.
Lips or Flews: The lips are well-pigmented, clean, and fit tightly over the teeth and jaws.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black. The nostrils are well opened.
Cheeks: The cheeks are smoothly muscled.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level or scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work is not to be penalized.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, obliquely set, and brown to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium in size, set fairly high on the skull, and set well above the level of the eyes. They are firmly erect. The ears are never long, overly large, or broken.
Body and Tail
General Description: Solid, athletic, powerful, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined or heavy and cloddy. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderately long length to allow for good head carriage and powerfully muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The forechest is well developed without being excessively pronounced.
Topline: Straight and level from withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, short, flat, and level or slightly arched, yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached.
Croup: Broad, fairly long, and gently sloped.
Underline: A moderate tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, usually in a moderate to loose curl or sickle that touches the back, croup, or thigh but is never tucked. In repose, it appears moderately long, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always in balance with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are long and approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The distance from the withers to the brisket may be equal to, or just less than, the distance from the elbows to the ground.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, sturdy bone, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are long, equal in length, strong, sturdy bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: Dense, protective, weather-resistant double coat. The outer coat is short, smooth, and close on the face, forehead, and lower limbs while being denser, harsher, and somewhat longer on the cheeks, neck (forming a ruff or collar), chest, body, back of the upper limbs (forming trousers on the rear legs) and tail (giving a brushed appearance). The toes are protected by a thick growth of hair. The undercoat is soft, dense, and supportive.
Coat Color or Pattern: Black, grey, pepper, all with white, or white with black, grey, pepper markings, white with dark markings, or dark with white markings; solid black or white.
Movement
Powerful, smooth, flowing gait with graceful movements. Movement is energetic, effortless, and efficient. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The Russo-European Laika breed is a true hunting dog with a strong desire to track and apprehend game. When allowed to work out their natural talents, instincts, and drives, they are a devoted companion. However, experienced Laika handlers understand that these dogs are intelligent, independent thinkers. They are known to be aloof toward strangers and can become aggressive towards other dogs, especially those of the same sex. For this reason, Laikas are recommended for experienced working homes that will allow them to explore and enjoy their natural instincts. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper, healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
