West Siberian Laika

There are four different Laika breeds: Karelo-Finnish Laika, Russo-European Laika, East Siberian Laika, and West Siberian Laika. The Laika actually dates back to ancient times where he has been classified as an aboriginal primitive hunting dog. He does descend from the wolf and retains much of the wolf’s look and hunting instinct. The West Siberian Laika was a part of the Hanty and Mansi cultures within the Ural Mountain and West Siberia regions of Russia. The West Siberian Laika was used as a large and small game hunter in the region below the tundra zone where the Boreal Forest starts and the in the dense forested areas in the Ural Mountains. He was instrumental in the sable fur industry. When the sable nearly became extinct, the hunting of them ceased and the popularity of the West Siberian Laika sharply declined. There was a push to preserve the West Siberian Laika in the early 1900s. The breed standard was developed in the 1930s and in the 1940s the four Laika breeds were officially separated by region. The first West Siberian Laika to be imported into United States was by Dr. Vladimir Beregovoy, Ph.D. in 1992. Dr. Beregovoy was an immigrant from Russia and a breed enthusiast. Many speculate that without Dr. Beregovoy’s influence, this breed may never have come to North America. There have been about 21 West Siberian Laikas imported into the United States from 1992 to 2014. There are currently an estimated 300 West Siberian Laikas living in the United States. He was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1996.