European Laika: characteristics of the breed, advice from cynologists on education, photos

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Today, almost every family has a pet that gives positive emotions to its owners. Just do not forget that any animal requires proper care, attention and care. If all this is not provided to the pet, he may get sick. The breed of hunting dogs Laika comes from the tundra and forest-tundra zones of Eurasia. Characteristic features of the appearance of these animals are a sharp muzzle and erect ears. Dogs of this breed are excellent hunters. In this review, we will take a closer look at what the European Laika is: a description of the breed, its features, caring for it and other aspects.

History

Where does the Russo-European Laika originate from? There is practically no information about where these dogs came from. Experts explain this fact by the fact that few people in the north paid attention to these things. Laikas have lived side by side with humans for centuries. Nonewas engaged in special breeding of this breed. The oldest images of such dogs can be found on ancient Russian frescoes.

The traditional habitat of representatives of this breed is Europe, where they were very fond of aristocrats in the Middle Ages. All husky-like dogs abroad were called "spitz". The first experiments on artificial breeding of the species were carried out at the end of the 19th century by Prince A. A. Shirinsky-Shikhmatov, as well as cynologists G. Poplavsky and M. G. Dmitrieva-Sulima. Already at that time, large nurseries were being created.

The European Laika became widely known in the 1920s. These dogs were indispensable helpers at the front: they were used to search for mines, transport goods and people.

Types of huskies

Let's take a closer look at this. Huskies of all kinds are perfectly adapted to life in the conditions of the north. Locals have been using these dogs to explore the area for centuries.

There are several subspecies of this breed:

1. West Siberian Laika. Appearance is determined by the FCI standard No. 306 of 2010-13-10. Male individuals can reach a height of 55-62 cm at the withers. Females grow up to 51-58 cm. The dog has a strong and strong physique, the length of the body of the animal is slightly larger than the height at the withers. The breed is distinguished by pronounced sexual dimorphism: males are much larger and more courageous than females. Animals have strong bones and well-developed muscles. The breed standard allows several color options: gray, red, zonedgrey, zoned-red, red-brown, fawn, piebald, white.
2. Russian-European Laika. Photos of this breed will help to establish the main differences from the West Siberian Laika. The Russian-European variety differs primarily in color. It is usually black or black and white. The appearance of the breed is determined by the FCI standard No. 304 of 2010-13-10.
3. East Siberian Laika. The dog has a compact, but rather dense physique. The head of the animal is quite large and massive, the skeleton is strong. Typical colors for representatives of this breed are: black and tan, black and white and pure black. There are also animals of gray, red, brown, fawn or spotted color. Breed standards allow for slight speckling on the legs. The dog has an excellent sense of smell. The breed is trustworthy and good-natured. Great for big game hunting.
4. Norwegian elk. It has a compact proportional body and a flexible neck. A distinctive feature is a thick abundant coat and a tightly curled tail.
5. Finnish Spitz. Medium size square dog. Has a strong physique and a proud posture.

Features of the breed

Regardless of variety, all likes have a number of common characteristics. Experts consider the main features of the breed to be independence and love for hunting. However, despite the love of freedom, huskies remain devoted to their owners. Animal demonstrates soft docilecharacter, but in controversial situations can still show dissatisfaction. The European Laika dog is distinguished by increased curiosity. This circumstance should be taken into account when going for a walk. In pursuit of prey, the dog can run away for a decent distance. The husky simply crushes small prey and brings it to the owner. A larger animal - barks and delays.

Like people are quite good-natured. Representatives of this breed are able to show aggression towards a person only in an exceptional situation. They get along well with children and do not rush at strangers. A separate plus can be called the fact that huskies lend themselves well to training.

Maintenance and Care

So what do you need to know about this? The European Laika breed is distinguished by thick fur, thanks to which the animal perfectly tolerates low temperatures. But in hot weather, the dog will be more comfortable on the street. Huskies are very active, they need long walks in the fresh air. It is better to walk the dog in an open space, located away from the roadway. If this is not possible, then the animal must be kept on a leash.

Laiki are fairly clean dogs. Bathing them is recommended only when necessary. But the coat of the animal should be combed regularly. This will help avoid tangles.

The animal is unpretentious in food, but this does not mean at all that the husky can be fed scraps. A dog needs a quality, balanced diet that provides the body with all the necessary vitamins and nutrients. If you choose to feed your petnaturalka, then the set of products should be varied. The dog's diet must include meat, river fish, cereals, vegetables and dairy products. It is also recommended to add special mineral supplements to food. Adults are usually fed 1-2 times a day.

As for the volume of food, the huskies are not voracious. They can go without food for quite a long time. If the dog's diet mainly consists of dry food, then preference should be given to compositions characterized by a high content of fats and proteins. To make up for the lack of mineral s alts and strengthen the teeth, it is recommended to give the animal tendons and bones. Laika cannot be fed with minced meat, sweet and flour products. Legumes of all kinds are strictly prohibited. The use of these products can have an extremely negative impact on the condition of the animal's gastrointestinal tract.

Try to check your pet's eyes and ears regularly. If necessary, they should be cleaned. Also, after a walk, it is necessary to check the dog's paws for splinters and abrasions.

Like with proper care live 10-14 years. However, there are cases when dogs of this breed pleased their owners even up to 18 years old. The main condition for a long life of a pet is long walks, quality food and the love of the owners.

Breed advantages

Eastern European Laika has many features that are beneficial for owners. Maintaining the breed is quite simple. Likes are playful and friendly towards a person, they differattractive appearance and good he alth. In addition, these dogs are passionate hunters. It is for this reason that many prefer to start this particular breed. On the hunt, the animal takes on a leading role. Laika herself decides when to perform this or that action. The pet diverts the attention of the prey to itself, which allows the owner to make a well-aimed shot in time. It is also important that the dog does not hunt for himself. She works for a person and, in case of unforeseen danger, she will not hesitate to sacrifice her life.

Flaws

What are the disadvantages of the content of European likes? The animal has too thick hair and sheds all year round, which can cause some inconvenience to the owners. In addition, keeping them in an apartment is quite difficult: likes are very mobile and active. They require daily long walks in the open. When getting such a dog, it is worth remembering that this is not a sofa toy. In a confined space, the dog will be unhappy. In addition, huskies cannot stand loneliness, they are extremely touchy and can hardly endure separation from loved ones. The dog is also offended by injustice, and they will not tolerate it even from the owner.

Diseases

Western European Laika is he althy. These are very hardy individuals. This is largely due to the peculiarities of artificial selection: only physically strong and he althy dogs could be useful in hunting. However, there are a number of diseases that are characteristic of representatives of this breed. These include:

• kidney failure;
• diabetes;
• deafness;
• retinal atrophy;
• glaucoma;
• hip dysplasia;
• bloating.

Training and education

Eastern European Laika is smart and quick-witted. However, representatives of this breed are not very fond of learning. Because of this, problems often arise during the training process. Classes will be successful only if the dog recognizes the leader in the owner. Only then will she agree to follow his commands.

Some people think that likes are extremely capricious. Only inexperienced breeders can say so. The complexity of training is not due to the stupidity or laziness of animals. Likes have a highly developed self-esteem and are very independent. To train a representative of this breed, you will need patience and certain skills. Training should take a lot of time. Dog handlers also recommend alternating activities with rewards and games.

Likes are great at capturing differences in intonation. If you constantly raise your voice to an animal, it may take it as an insult. It is impossible to use force and punish a pet: likes do not tolerate cruel treatment. The rude attitude of the owners can form a dog's anger and aggression towards a person.

It is important to start training at an early age. The puppy must understand the simplest commands, know where his place is, what is possible and what is not. Only the right upbringing will help you find a faithful and reliable friend.

Puppies

So withwhat do you need to know first? Many today are interested in such a breed as the East European Laika. Photos of these puppies can not leave anyone indifferent. However, it should be borne in mind that choosing a pet is an extremely difficult task. First of all, you need to decide why you are getting a dog. If the most important thing for the owner is the attractive exterior of the animal, then you should choose a pet, taking into account its external characteristics.

If you need a European husky for hunting, then one appearance is not enough here. Without a thorough knowledge of the characteristics of the breed and dog breeding skills, it will not be easy to manage a husky. These animals are distinguished by independence and strong character. This breed is categorically not suitable for lovers of silence and homebodies.

There are situations when a person gets an adult dog. Laika Russian-European does not tolerate a change of scenery. Representatives of this breed are monogamous. They can remain loyal to the first owner for the rest of their lives. They will most likely simply not obey the new owner.

It is best to ask a kennel for a recommendation on choosing a puppy. There, the future owner will be shown documents, as well as diplomas and certificates that their parents deserve. The decisive factor in choosing a pet should be its character - it is better to choose cheerful and playful puppies. The hunter is advised to buy medium-sized individuals. It will be possible to take a puppy to a new home when they reach the age of 1.5 months.

Cost

Prices forEuropean Laika breed dogs are quite democratic. This aspect deserves special attention. A purebred animal can be purchased at a lower cost than representatives of other hunting breeds. It is recommended to buy puppies only from a trusted breeder.

As a rule, puppies without metrics and pedigree are sold for 5-7 thousand rubles. If you do not plan to professionally breed the breed and take part in international exhibitions, this option will be ideal.

For a thoroughbred animal of the highest class, they usually ask from 10 thousand rubles. Such a high cost is made up not only of the exterior and the purity of the pedigree, but also of the degree of fame of the cattery and the merits of the manufacturer.

Many are interested in how much an adult Russian-European Laika costs. Photos of such animals can often be seen in ads for sale. The cost in this case depends on the size of the animal that the dog is able to hunt. "Belchatnitsa" usually cost from 5 to 7 thousand rubles. The price of "sobering houses" can reach up to 9 thousand rubles. Hunters for large animals are more expensive. Their cost starts from 10 thousand rubles.

Kurnels usually sell he althy and vaccinated puppies with a pedigree. There aren't really that many breeders who specialize in breeding huskies.

Conclusion

In this review, we examined in detail such an amazing breed of dog as the European Laika. Photos of these animals cause tenderness for many. However, before deciding to have suchdog, you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons. Laikas are very independent and difficult to train. In addition, they require long walks in the fresh air. If you are not ready to spend a lot of time with a pet, then this dog is not for you. However, if you need a real hunter, as well as a devoted friend and companion, then the husky will be a great pet. With proper care and maintenance, the dog will delight you every day.