East Siberian Laika Dog Breed Information

Posted on Sep 5, 2019, Modified : Jan 26, 2020 Zina

East Siberian Laika behavior, origin, and health

Breeds

Country of Origin	Russia
Nicknames and Other Names	Vostotchno-Sibirskaia Laika, ESL
Scientific Name	Canis lupus familaris
Breed Type	Purebred
Group	Spitz and Primitive Dogs
Bred For	Hunting, Sled pulling, Drover
Size	Medium-Sized
Recognized By	FCI, UKC, ACA, DRQA
Life Span	12-15 Years
Ideal Weight	35-55 Pounds (male and female)
Ideal Height	Male: 22-26 inches Female: 20-24 Inches
Fur Type	Medium, Dense, Double-Coated
Common Colors	Gray, Black, Red, Any Shades of Brown
Markings	None
Availability	Moderately Available
Achievements	None
Suitable for Apartments	No
Used in World War	No
Most Similar To	West Siberian laika

The East Siberian Laika is a medium to the large-sized dog. It is a versatile hunting dog that is also the largest of the four Russian Laika breeds. It is an energetic, territorial, and very loving dog that makes a great family companion for an active and loving family.

East Siberian Laika is a spitz-type, strong dog breed that has a muscular body that gives a close resemblance to the wolf. The eyes are oval-shaped, ears are pointed upwards giving it an alert looks. The tail is curled up over its back. Its overall appearance is powerful and alert.

Origin and History

The East Siberian Laika was originated in Russia as a versatile hunting dog. It was bred as a hunting dog, sled dog, drover, and many more. There are four Laika breeds: Karelo-Finnish Laika, Russo-European Laika, East Siberian Laika, and West Siberian Laika. It was established as a separate breed in 1947.

The use of East Siberian Laika was declining when the hunters used dog breeds that were bred for the specific purpose like sighthound, gun dog, and scent hound. They almost became extinct but they were restored by breeding program between 1930 to 1950. Their number has been increased since then but are still considered as a rare breed.

Temperament, Behavior, and Personality

Temperament: The temperament of the East Siberian Laika is independent, alert, and somewhat stubborn. They are friendly with the people they love and are protective of them. They are a very alert dog that is observant of the surrounding and warn their owner if there is something suspicious.

Behavior: The East Siberian Laika is a very active dog that needs a good amount of exercise regularly. If they do not get enough physical work, they become depressed, anxious, and destructive. They start to bark, chew and scratch stuff or dig the ground when they get anxious. Therefore, provide them with a good amount of regular exercise.

East Siberian Laika hunting bear.
Image Source: easypetMD

Personality: The personality of the East Siberian Laika is gentle, active, and fearless. They are gentle and calm when they are around the people they love. They get along with other pets in the house but they need to be raised together.

Trainability

Training East Siberian Laika is not a very difficult task to does if you are an experienced dog owner that is familiar with its behavior. They are of independent nature, so can be stubborn sometimes. Train them with consistency and firmness.

Start with basic obedience training and once they master the basics, gradually enroll them to advance training. Reward them with delicious treats and a lot of vocal praises. This will keep them motivated to be focused on the training.

Is East Siberian Laika Child-Friendly?

East Siberian Laika gets along with children very well as they are loving and playful with them. They do best with older kids who know to handle dogs and behave around them. With small kids, they need to be supervised so that there is not harsh behavior from either party. Teach your children to behave around dogs and handle them gently.

East Siberian Laika is child friendly — East Siberian Laika is child-friendly.
Image Source: Instagram-@karhunvartijan

Facts

The East Siberian Laika is a rare breed.
It has not yet been recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Health Issues

General Health	Healthy
Common Health Issues	Hip Dysplasia
Hypoallergenic	No
Vaccination Required	Rabies, Canine Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Canine Parvovirus, Kennel Cough, Canine Parainfluenza, Canine Distemper
Shedding	Average Shedder
Drooling	Average Drooler
Grooming	Easy and Minimal Grooming Required
Weight Gain Potential	Average
Separation Anxiety	High Chance
Allergies	None
Diets and Supplements	Protein: 25% Fat: 8%-10% Glucosamine Probiotics Multivitamins

East Siberian Laika is generally a healthy breed that is prone to a few genetic and canine health problems.

Elbow Dysplasia: It is a condition where the joints of the elbow are dislocated from its original place. It will cause pain on their elbow making it difficult for them to move from one place to another. It is a genetic problem, so before buying a puppy from a breeder, check for its family health problem.
Obesity: Obesity is a common dog health problem. When eating becomes more and exercises become less, your dog is likely to get obese. So provide your dog with a complete balanced diet and involve them in regular physical exercise.