Also called Yakutskaya Laika, Yakut Laika, Kolyma-Indigirka Laika, Laïka de Iakoutie
An upbeat, energetic dog that likes to stay close to its people and is open and friendly with them.
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 53 to 59 cm (21 to 23 in)males 55 to 59 cm, females 53 to 57 cm12 |
| Lifespan | 10 to 12 years2 |
| Coat | Thick straight double coat with dense undercoat |
| Origin | Russian Federation: Yakutia (Sakha Republic), northeastern Siberia.34 |
| Group | FCI group 5 |
An upbeat, energetic dog that likes to stay close to its people and is open and friendly with them. It is brave and capable, with the endurance of a true sled dog, and can be very bouncy in play.124
thick straight double coat with dense undercoat
A strong, compact, muscular spitz of medium size, 10-15% longer than tall. Its glossy, straight outer coat sits over a heavy undercoat, with a mane around the neck (fuller in males) and feathering on the hind legs and tail. Eyes may be dark brown, blue or one of each.12
A typical home-care rhythm for a Yakutian Laika. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
No breed-specific rule names the Yakutian Laika in the 44 countries we check. General dangerous-dog laws still apply everywhere, and some cities keep their own lists.
Checked 2026-11-05. Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
High. Needs daily exercise and ideally a secure, fenced area to run; it can take part in sledding, herding, coursing and agility.25
Comb and brush the thick coat weekly, and more thoroughly during the one or two heavy moults each year; dry the dense undercoat well after a bath.2
Needs a well-fenced garden; copes easily with very cold climates.24
Very people-oriented and sociable; supervise play with young children because of its exuberance.12
The peoples of northeastern Siberia have used dogs like this for sledding and hunting for thousands of years, and written records go back to 1633. Mechanisation reduced their numbers in the 20th century, and breeders then revived the breed, which the FCI accepted provisionally in 2019.143
Sled-harness remains from the region are around 8,000 years old.1
One of the earliest written accounts of the breed appears in Nicolaes Witsen's 1692 book Northern and Eastern Tartary.1
Blue eyes, brown eyes and odd eyes are all accepted in the standard.1
Two Yakutian Laikas were cloned in 2017 to help preserve the breed, and one later fathered a litter of seven puppies.4
Its traditional jobs cover herding, pulling sleds and hunting.5
The breed is named after the Yakutia region of Northeastern Russia, the native homeland of the Sakha people who developed the dog. The term 'Laika' is a Russian word for a type of northern spitz dog that barks (the verb 'layat' means to bark).6
I woke to the crunch of frost and bounced out of my bed. My human harnessed me, and we dashed across the snow. I love pulling, my legs fly, and the sled glides behind. After the run, I played fetch with a stick, leaping high. Inside, I curled next to my human's feet, warm and content. In the afternoon I barked at a bird, then napped. Evening came with more play and a snuggle. I am a happy, busy dog.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
How many 30004
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Feed your adult Yakutian Laika at least two meals a day, and puppies three to four smaller meals. This matches their natural hunger cycle and helps prevent bloat. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.7
Feed a high-quality dog food appropriate for their age and activity level. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and macadamia nuts, these are especially toxic to dogs. Always avoid giving them human treats like these.8
Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests a bath every 10 weeks, but you can bathe more often if they get very dirty. Be sure to dry the dense undercoat thoroughly after a bath to prevent skin issues.2 Pet Wiki plan
Brush your Yakutian Laika weekly with a comb and brush, and daily during their one or two heavy moults each year. This keeps their thick double coat healthy and reduces shedding.2 Pet Wiki plan
Trim nails every four weeks, or sooner if you hear them clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick (the pink part inside) to avoid pain and bleeding.9 Pet Wiki plan
This breed has high activity needs and requires daily exercise, ideally in a secure, fenced area where they can run. They enjoy sledding, herding, coursing, and agility, so keep them busy and active.25
Brush their teeth two to three times a week using dog toothpaste (never human toothpaste). Check ears every two weeks and clean gently without pushing anything into the ear canal.9 Pet Wiki plan
Yakutian Laikas typically live between 10 and 12 years. With good care, regular vet check-ups, and a healthy lifestyle, they can enjoy a full lifespan.2
Yes, they are very people-oriented and sociable, making them great family dogs. Supervise play with young children due to their exuberant, bouncy nature, and they usually get along well with other pets when properly socialized.12
This breed is very people-oriented and likes to stay close to its family, so they may not do well left alone for long periods. If you must leave them, provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation beforehand, and consider a pet sitter.12
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.
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