Yakutian Laika
yah-KOO-tee-an LYE-kah
Russia· Sakha Republic (Yakutia), northeastern Siberia
The Yakutian Laika is a medium-sized spitz breed from the Sakha Republic in northeastern Siberia, traditionally used for sledding, herding and hunting.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Medium
Exercise needs
1-2 hours per day
Home size suited to
Medium or larger
Grooming frequency
Weekly brush, more when shedding
Coat length
Medium to long, double coat
Sheds
Yes, heavily seasonally
Lifespan
10-13 years
Town or country
Prefers cooler climates and active life
Garden size needed
Medium or larger, fenced
Where it comes from
Origins of the Yakutian Laika
In the extreme cold of the Sakha Republic in northeastern Siberia, indigenous Yakut, Even and Evenk peoples depended on a multi-purpose dog able to pull sledges over vast distances, herd reindeer and hunt, all in temperatures far below freezing. Its thick coat and sociable nature reflect a dog bred to work and live closely alongside people.
- Region
- Sakha Republic (Yakutia), northeastern Siberia
- Climate it was bred for
- Extremely cold Arctic and subarctic climate
- Original job
- Sled pulling, reindeer herding and hunting
The long read
About the breed
Its multi-purpose working role in one of the coldest inhabited regions on earth shaped a hardy, sociable dog with a dense coat and great stamina for pulling and covering long distances.
Unlike some Nordic hunting spitzes, it is notably friendly and people-oriented, having lived in close proximity to its human families, and it generally does well with children and other dogs given proper socialisation.
Today the breed is gaining recognition internationally as a sled dog and companion, having been more widely promoted since the early 2000s after centuries as a largely local Siberian working dog.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
3/5
How openly the Yakutian Laika greets people it does not know.
Trainability
3/5
How readily the breed takes to training in an ordinary home.
Energy
3/5
How much daily exercise and stimulation the breed expects.
Barking
3/5
How vocal the breed tends to be day to day.
Grooming
3/5
How much coat work the breed needs to stay comfortable.
Suits a first-time owner
3/5
How forgiving the Yakutian Laika is for someone taking on their first dog.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Yakutian Laika's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Timeline
History & development
1600s
Indigenous working dog
Used by Yakut, Even and Evenk peoples for sledding, herding and hunting across Siberia.
1900s
Localised survival
The breed remained largely confined to remote Yakutia, little known outside the region.
2004
Formal breed programme
Russian enthusiasts launched an organised effort to standardise and promote the breed.
2011
Russian recognition
The Yakutian Laika received official recognition within Russia.
2019
FCI recognition
The breed gained provisional international recognition from the FCI.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Compact and strongly built with a deep chest.
- coat
- Dense double coat, longer and thicker than other Laikas, suited to extreme cold.
- ears
- Erect, medium-sized and set high.
- eyes
- Dark, almond-shaped and friendly in expression.
- head
- Wedge-shaped with a moderate stop and broad skull.
- size
- 53-59cm at the withers
- colour
- White, black and white, grey and white, or brown and white.
- temperament
- Friendly, sociable and hardworking, notably good-natured towards people compared with other Laika breeds.
- general appearance
- Medium-sized, well-balanced spitz with a strong, compact build suited to sledding and cold-weather work.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
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Made for the Yakutian Laika
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Yakutian Laika illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Yakutian Laika Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Yakutian Laika illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Yakutian Laika Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Yakutian Laika illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Yakutian Laika Mug
Ceramic mug with the Yakutian Laika illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Car Seatbelt Restraint
Clips any harness to a standard seatbelt buckle.
Fits any dog
Pawpoint on YouTube
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