I am looking for a Laika breeder in England. I am looking for Russo-European / West Siberian / East Siberian.

Does anybody have any information please, otherwise it is a long drive back from Yakutsk!

Please email me with any information, phil.hall@eidosnet.co.uk with the word laika in the subject line (I get a lot of spam!)

Thanks very much!

Phil

I know someone with a male West Siberian Laika, pet name Sami.  His owner lived and worked in Finland, and brought his dog to UK on Pet Passport.  He is five years old, and I find in character he is just like my Elkhounds.  Nice sociable fellow.  He is wolf grey and white.

He was shown in Finland a few times and has one or two CACIB's and is near the top of breed standard for size.

He has only ever mated a bitch accidentally, as his owner lives in a flat with comunal gardens and an iresponsible staffie owner allos his bitch to roam when in season, and she had one pup :(

I'm curious here. Is 'Laika' an actual breed? I've always understood the word is the Russian equivalent of 'Woofer' or 'Doggie'. The first animal in space was called 'Laika' because that was what she was - a bog-standard yellow spitz of no particular breed.

I knew that I knew the name, now I know why :rolleyes:

liberty

Yes there is. Well the Russo-European one has an FCI standard anyway. There seem to be a number of local varieties & those recognised are the ones the guest mentioned, plus the North Russian Samoyed & the Giant Spitz. The Karelian Bear Dog is also a variety of the Laiki.

Think the guest may have to settle for one of the other spitz breeds unless they want a long trip, perhaps a Finnish Lapphund, a Keeshond, a Norwegian Elkhound or Buhund, depends I suppose what it is that appeals to the Guest assuming it is not just the fact that the spitz imported from somewhere far east and north of GB would be unusual. No can't be that so what sort of northern Spitz do you fancy. I take it that because the type is very different dependent on where it comes from, that one of the other spitz could fill the bill, let us know, sort of tail, colour of coat, size and temperament, join and let us know and I am sure we can think of something for you.

Hi,
I am the guest who posted the original question, now a registered user!
To Brainless, who said they knew of someone with a West Siberian, could you pass my contact details onto your friend and ask them to contact me?, they might be able to help
phil.hall@eidosnet.co.uk

In response to the other questions and points raised:
Yes Laika is a certain breed, there are 4 main Laika sub breeds all from the region of the old Soviet union (In fact the Soviets defined that Laikas could ONLY come from within the borders of the Soviet union - which is why the Karellian Bear Dog is not registered as a Laika, even though it is VERY closely related to the Russo-European Laika)

The main reason I wanted a Laika is because my wife grew up in Russia and has fond memories of keeping these dogs (West Siberian). They also appeal to me because of their undistorted wild beauty and well balanced temperament. I like the wolf like varieties of Spitz dogs, but understand that varieties like Siberian Husky are not so good for companion dogs because you cannot take them off the leash when out for exercise. Laika are reknown for being incredibly hardy with none of the genetic defects that can affect breeds like husky.

If any of you could make alternative suggestions - I am after a medium to large sized dog, with a natural wolf-ish appearance that can cope with an english climate. I have a fairly small garden, but live near lots of open ground where I can run the dog (preferably off leash). I am young and fit, so don't have a problem giving the animal lots of exercise. I would like an animal which has a naturally well balanced temperment, I understand that no spitz type dog is a "curl up on the sofa" type of dog, but that is not what I am after, just friendly, affable and lively. We are planning on having children in the near-ish future, so again, nothing unsuitable around children, although I presume most of that is down to training?

I have looked into bringing one in from Russia or one of the breeders in Holland / Finland, but these dogs need to be with their family to develop pack bonding from a very early age, and the 6months quarantine would not allow this. Even with the Pet Passport, unless I moved to Finland / Netherlands for a year and brought the dog up initially there - which isn't really practical!

Now, before everyone starts replying saying that I don't know what I am talking about, I will admit I am not an expert on dogs and only know what I have read and been told. If anything I have said is incorrect (particularly about Huskies), please inform me - I came here for advice after all!

Thank you for any help or advice you can give me.

Phil

Have you thought about a grey Tervueren ? - very wolf like in appearance ( some have been used as wolves in films) - unexagerated 'natural' shape with the harsh stand off spitz like coat but without the curled tail.

They are excellent family dogs - highly intelligent , very versatile and great fun BUT very active and they do go through a hooligan stage at around 12-18 months !.

Greys are harder to get than the more usual red colour but are very eye catching.

Or may be an Elkhound, very good with children and most can be trained to be let off lead, at least a few in the country do obedence & agility and at least one is used to pick up at shoots. Having said that they still retain the usual spitz independent nature.

Hi the gentleman I know with the West Siberian Laika 'Sammi' (who is 5_ has contacted the kennel club, and as far as he could ascertain is the only person with one in this country.

As he has iresponsible neighbours who let their in season bitches run free in communal gardens, and his dog managed to mate one of them, and get it in whelp, as owner didn't bother with having the bitch injected, he is probably going to have him castrated.

If he is typical of the breed then I think the closest thing temperament and characterwise you will get is an Elkhound, though they are somewhat smaller, and are always grey with darker muzzle and ears.

I should see Adrian at Class next week.