Overview
The Russo-European Laika is one of three Russian laika breeds, hunting spitzes developed from native forest dogs of the Karelia region. It works by finding game, holding it with its voice and keeping it there until the hunter arrives. It is compact, square, heavily coated and sharply alert, with the classic curled tail and pricked ears.
In Britain the breed is very rare, usually in the hands of people drawn to primitive hunting types. For a walker it offers hardiness, intelligence and a strong will. The hunting instinct is not a trait to be trained out; it is the whole dog.
Exercise and walking needs
A fit adult wants at least ninety minutes a day and would cheerfully take all day in a forest. Lead walks alone will not satisfy it, so a long line in woodland where the dog can range, scent and investigate is the closest a walker can get to its real work.
The coat is made for Russian winters and the dog thrives in cold, snow and rain. Heat is its weakness; keep summer walks short and early.
On the walk
- Prey drive: Squirrels, deer, birds and cats will all be hunted. The dog will tree a squirrel and bark at it until you drag it away. Secure spaces or a long line only.
- Voice: Laikas bark as part of their job and many bark at anything that interests them. Choose routes away from houses and warn fellow walkers.
- Other dogs: Reserved with unfamiliar dogs and sometimes quick to take offence, particularly with other males. Walk alone or with dogs the owner has approved.
- Independence: This is a dog that makes its own decisions. Build the relationship with rewards and consistency and do not expect instant obedience from a new handler.
- Escape: Agile and determined. Check fences in any enclosed area for height and gaps before unclipping.
Tips for professional walkers
- Use a long line on a harness and keep it in your hand; a dropped line in a forest is a lost dog.
- Plan for noise. A Laika that has found a squirrel will tell the whole wood about it.
- Carry high value treats and reward every voluntary return to build a check-in habit.
- Keep summer walks short and shaded; the double coat holds a lot of heat.
- Avoid tight, head-on introductions to other dogs and give the dog room to assess.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog ever been off the lead safely, and what happens when it sees a squirrel or deer?
- How does it get on with other dogs, and are there any it is fine with for a shared walk?
- How much does it bark on walks, and is there a cue that quiets it?
- Does it have any training the owner wants you to continue, and which rewards work best?