This dog is very alert and sensitive to changes in its surroundings. This is the reason WSL is not just a good watchdog, but an excellent guard dog too. Besides, it is quite aloof and suspicious towards strangers. Zapadno-Sibirskaïa Laïka can be sometimes very protective of its master, its human family, and its property. Looking at some of these, it is more than obvious that this can be a very intimidating dog, especially, if there are some unwanted guests at your property. Main West Siberian Laika characteristics are intelligence, agility, speed, strength, boldness, resourcefulness, alertness, adaptability, independence, cheerfulness, stubbornness, endurance, and persistence. No, I’m not a wolf, am a West Siberian Laika :) So, you can rest assured your kids will have a lot of fun with your Laika, but still, it is recommended that you supervise them since this is not some small and harmless dog. On top of that, this dog is very tolerant and careful with children. Yeah, indeed, surrounded by its loved ones, Zapadno-Sibirskaïa Laïka can be very cheerful, silly, and eager to play. Nonetheless, WSL will for sure enjoy the company of every other member of the household, including kids. Of course, the primary owner gets the most of its attention and loyalty since he is literally the Alpha and Omega to this dog. Indeed, this Laika is usually very fond of all family members and is equally affectionate to every one of them. On the contrary, apart from being an excellent hunting dog, WSL has proved its worth as a wonderful family companion and an incredible watchdog.

However, that doesn’t mean this breed hasn’t been tried and tested in some other “roles”. The West Siberian Laika is the most popular and most numerous of the Russian Laikas and like its cousins it is primarily bred and used for big game hunting.

2.0.1 West Siberian Laika Dog Size And Weight.

2 Zapadno-Sibirskaïa Laïka Physical Characteristics.

1.2 WSL Training And Relationship With Other Dogs And Pets.

All three breeds are by the FCI included in the group 2: Nordic Hunting Dogs in the class of primitive dogs. The West Siberian Laika is one of three widely recognized Laika breeds, other two being the Russo-European Laika and East Siberian Laika. The breed standard was approved around 1930, but its modern shape was maintained after the WWII. The mentioned selective breeding program started during the 1920s in several Russian cities, including Moscow and Sverdlovsk ( Yekaterinburg), at the time when some local hunters had brought with them a few of these incredibly potent hunting dogs from their hunting expeditions in the Ob River region and North Ural. These dogs known as the Mansi and Khanty Laikas are the actual descendants of wolves and primitive Spitz dogs, who had accompanied these aboriginals from prehistoric times. The breed was developed through selective breeding from primitive hunting dogs of the Mansi (Voguls) and Khanty (Ostyak) indigenous people. The West Siberian Laika (WSL) or Zapadno-Sibirskaïa Laïka is an ancient Spitz type hunting dog originating from Ural and West Siberia.

East siberian laika