The undercoat is soft and dense and the top coat is straight and harsh. The West Siberian Laika looks very much like a wolf вЂ“ it has a thick, double coat to protect it from harsh Northern winters. The West Siberian Laika is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club but it is classified as a Northern breed by both the UKC and the FCI. The West Siberian Laika is by no means a mean or aggressive breed. These dogs require a lot of daily exercise as well as access to a fenced yard вЂ“ they can also be kept outdoors. This breed has a restless spirit and a very high need for exercise, so donвЂ™t think that you can keep this dog happy in an apartment or condo. Similar to his wild ancestors, the West Siberian Laika is a highly active breed with excellent stamina. The average life expectancy for the West Siberian Laika is 14 years or more. The gene pool for this breed is still very small and inbreeding is strongly discouraged.

With its wild heritage, you shouldnвЂ™t be surprised to learn that the West Siberian Laika is relatively untroubled by inherited health problems вЂ“ only the strongest specimens of the breed are used kept and bred. This breed is likely to be a little aloof around strangers and will always bark when someone approaches the house, but they warm up quickly with their masterвЂ™s approval and can be trained to get along with cats. These dogs are highly intelligent so they can sometimes be a bit obstinate, but they are unfailingly loyal to their family. The West Siberian Laika stands between 21 and 24 inches tall, weighing 30 to 50 pounds at maturity.ДЄs much as this breed looks like a wolf, the West Siberian Laika is by no means a mean or aggressive breed. ItвЂ™s natural instinct is to be protective of his owner which is why he makes a great watchdog. These dogs have a very intimidating look but, with proper socialization and training, they can be very friendly, even with strangers. This breed is not inherently aggressive or dominant by nature, but they do require a firm and consistent hand in training. The West Siberian Laika is one of the most intelligent dogs you will ever come across which means two things вЂ“ they are highly responsive to training but also have a tendency toward independence. The West Siberian Laika is one of the most intelligent dogs you will ever come across. Like any dog, the West Siberian Laika can become obese with overfeeding so keep an eye on your dogвЂ™s body weight and condition. High protein and fat content is recommended to help this breed maintain his lean muscle mass while also providing for his energy needs. The best diet for this breed is an active or working dog formula, or perhaps a high-performance recipe. The West Siberian Laika is a medium-sized breed but it is also a highly active breed. This is one of three recognized Laika breeds вЂ“ the other two are the Russo-European Laika and the East Siberian Laika. The West Siberian Laika was developed from the descendants of primitive Spitz-type dogs and wolves. These dogs were actual descendants of wolves and primitive Spitz-type dogs and, because the gene pool has been kept fairly limited, modern specimens of the breed still retain much of their wild appearance and behavioral traits. This breed was developed through very selective breeding of primitive hunting dogs used by the Voguls and Ostyak, two indigenous tribes.

The West Siberian Laika is an ancient Spitz-type breed that comes from Ural and West Siberia. West Siberian Laikas are known for retaining traits from their wild ancestors, the wolf, both physical and behavioral. This breed can be a challenge to keep but, if you are up to it, they are a beautiful and fiercely intelligent breed. This is due to the fact that these dogs are of the Spitz type and it also has to do with their Russian heritage. When you see the West Siberian Laika for the first time, you may think that you are looking at a wolf.