Yakutian Laika
The Yakutian Laika is an ancient native dog breed, developed naturally by the aboriginal peoples of North-Eastern Russia. For thousands of years, these dogs served as sled pullers and hunting companions, with archaeological evidence showing their use for sledding and hunting as far back as 8,000 years ago.
The Yakutian Laika is a versatile working dog. They were used as sled dogs, reindeer herders, diligent watch dogs and energetic family companions. They are a bold, lively and social dog who thrived in the harsh climates of Eastern Russia.
The first written reference to dogs in this region dates to 1633, while the earliest published account of Yakutian dogs appeared in Nicholas Witsen’s Northern and Eastern Tartary (Amsterdam, 1692), under the chapter How Yakutians travel in Winter. A more detailed description followed in 1843 in Geography of the Russian Empire, where the Yakutian Laika was recognised as a “dog of a special breed”. By 1856, records in Statistical Tables of the Russian Empire documented more than 15,000 dogs in the Yakut region, primarily used for sled work.
The first Breed Standard for the North-East Sled Dog was established in 1958, which later became the foundation for the official Yakutian Laika Breed Standard published in 2005 by the Russian Kynological Federation.
For centuries, the Yakutian Laika has been an indispensable partner to people of the Far North, hunting game, guarding homes, herding reindeer and transporting goods through extreme arctic conditions. Today, their remarkable versatility and resilience are celebrated not only in Russia, but also by dog enthusiasts across the world.
SUMMARY / OVERVIEW
Yakutian Laika dogs are bold, versatile, agile, contact friendly, sociable and energetic. Originally bred by aboriginal people of the Northeast of Russia as a sled dog and a hunting dog. And for many centuries, the Yakutian Laika accompanied the northern man in everyday life, helping him to hunt, vigilantly watch his home, herd reindeers and transport goods in the severe conditions of the Far North. These skills have glorified the Yakutian Laika as a versatile breed not only in Russia but also in many countries on different continents.
COAT COLOUR
White and any patching (bicolour or tricolour). All the Colours shown are acceptable colours. The only solid colour acceptable is WHITE. All other colours should have areas of white on them.
No Yakutian Laika should be merle or brindle in colour, these colours are not found in the breed and therefore should be undesirable.
Blue, brown, amber, bi eye, party eye all acceptable.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS / REQUIREMENTS:
| Size: Medium-large | Grooming: Once a week |
| Exercise: More than 2 hours per day | Coat length: Medium |
| Size of home: Large(ish) house | Sheds: 2 times per year |
| Town or Country: Country | Lifespan: Over 10 years |
| Size of garden: Large garden | Vulnerable native breed: No |
| Affectionate with family | |||||
| Good with other dogs | |||||
| Good with young children | |||||
| Good with strangers |
| Shedding | |||||
| Coat / Grooming | |||||
| Drool | |||||
| Coat Length |
| Trainability | |||||
| Energy | |||||
| Barking | |||||
| Mental Stimulation Needs | |||||
| Playfulness | |||||
| Adaptability |
HEALTH
Recommended testing:
Hip / Elbows / Patellas / Eyes / BAER (Brainstern Auditory Evoked Response) / Genetic Testing
YL CLUB ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2020 – YL CLUB Formed
- August 2020 – First online (due to Covid restrictions) DOG Show held
- February 2021 – Second “Valentines” online dog show held
- July 2023 – First ever YL Breed show held in Malvern, and held every year since, in conjunction with the Evesham & District Canine Society Annual Shows.
- August 2023 – First YL Club UK Newsletter published, with further editions being published every 4 months or so since.
- 2024 – Breed successfully gains official breed recognition by Alaskan Malamute Working Association in their Freight Dog classification.
- January 2024 – First YL Club UK Calendar published – calendars have been produced for each subsequent year too.
- August 2024 – Attended and had a YL stand at edition Dog Live in Stoneleigh
- May 2026 – YL organised seminars held at Retford
- July 2026 – The Yakutian Laika Breed officially recognised by the Royal Kennel Club
- July 2026 – Yakutian Laika “Meet the Breed” event held alongside the National Working & Pastoral Breeds Society Show in Malvern.
- August 2026 – Royal Kennel Club publish their Interim Breed Standard for Yakutian Laikas
- August 2026 – first Yakutian Laika dogs gained Royal Kennel Club registration and started competing in UK Dog shows
- September / October 2026 – The RKC has accepted the application by the Yakutian Laika Club UK for breed club recognition, and this is currently being “advertised” in the RKC Journal.
According to Kate & Dave, (already experienced mushers), Tundra & Aurora proved to be the most formidable team they had ever run in harness. Other Yakutian Laika followed over subsequent years with numbers increasing year on year. The points below highlight and identify some achievements of the breed in the UK and the progress and development of the Yakutian Lika Club UK over the last few years. There are of course many other achievements and very many more proud owners and we apologies for any that we have overlooked or inadvertently omitted.
RALLY – Tundra & Aurora were the first YL to take part in a sled dog rally in the UK.
KC Good Citizens – Patrycja Tomczyk and her YL Pixel were the first to gain a KC Good Citizen scheme award, They have now achieved, Bronze, Silver AND Gold.
WSA Dryland Championship 2024 Haughley Park – Team Laikaboss was the first YLteam to compete at a WSA event for Team GB.
- Irish Champion – Belletristix Born This Way at Laikaboss was the first Yakutian Laika ever to gain an Irish Champion title. Patrycja Tomczyk and Ir Ch Dagur Zhowerli (Jr Ch) “Pixel” gained the Annual Champion title in Ireland for 2023.
- TREK – Team Laikaboss (owner Alex Evans) – the first Yakutian Laika team to take part in an AMWA trek and also the first YL team to gain a trek dog title in the UK.
- OBEDIENCE – Patrycja and Pixel have also attended obedience competitions where they have been very successful too, gaining very good results in different classes under different judges at a number of events.
- AGILITY – Katarzyna Gacek and Sasha (Figaro Moje Anioly / Sasha Soul on Fire) was the first YL to place amongst the top ranking of agility in the UK. They have progressed much further since and are currently competing at G5 level (out of a total of 7 levels, with each becoming increasingly more challenging). They also won the “Showtime Dual Challenge 2025” (for large breed dogs) at Agility Team Scotland. This is an end of season award based on individual points accumulated throughout the year, so consistent good performance is required to achieve this.
UK SHOWS FOLLOWING BREED RECOGNITION
From the above, which is only a brief snapshot of YL activities and achievements, it can be seen that they are extremely adaptable, intelligent, active, sociable and highly competitive. Whilst some have been “showing” across Europe for some time, now that they are officially recognised by the Royal Kennel Club and able to be registered by them from 1st August 2026, they are now starting to appear in UK shows too.
My “pack” of Yakutian Laikas: – team Laikaboss
I began seeing photos of a Russian kennel on Facebook and absolutely loved them from this kennels photos and videos. As much as I loved the look of the breed and began researching it, I ultimately decided not to get one at that point due to wanting to work and show the next dog I got and a trip to Russia every few months to do so was obviously going to be hugely expensive so I decided to wait.
I have owned Siberian Huskies for over 13 years, I have a mixed breed rescue (GSD X Husky) and have also owned Czechoslovakian Vlciak for over 11 years. I’ve worked my dogs in harness and done races on and off with all my dogs for the last 11 years or more. I have also shown my Czechoslovakian Vlciak’s in Europe and so the plan was to do the same with my new YL.
The Yakutian Laika became provisionally recognised by the FCI in 2019 and that was when I made my mind up that I was going to import my first YL from Russia and so the search began. It took a while to find the right puppy and in 2020 I got my first YL – Gizmo (Belletristix Born This Way at Laikaboss). By this time I’d also met David and Kate and their 2 YL – Aurora and Tundra. Gizmo arrived at 4 months old and was the sweetest cuddliest puppy I had ever met and he remains the same to this day. His temperament and working drive is wonderful and he is certainly a mummy’s boy. He slotted into the pack I already had with ease and confirmed my hopes that the YL was definitely the breed i wanted. He took to running in harness like a duck to water and is the best dog I have ever run in my life.
In 2022 while in Ireland I saw a litter of puppies on Facebook and 1 really stood out to me, and I knew he would be special. Darkest chocolate colour in the whole litter of 11. I messaged the breeder and asked if any males were still available and she had 2 – one of them was the puppy I really liked the look of. Deposit paid and in Oct 2022 Spice landed at my front door, came out of his cage like a bat out of hell and has been the cutest little menace ever since (haha). Both now work in harness together as a team and both have very successfully shown in Europe! Gizmo was also the first Yakutian Laika to gain an Irish Champion title and also won Best In Show at the first Yakutian Laika Club UK annual breed show this year (2023).
In 2024, Akiro then came along, son of Spice and so very cute when he’s quiet. He is so cuddly and very excitable. Works well in harness and makes a good “team” with Gizmo and Spice. Always excited and eager to do things, raring to go and now that he has matured is doing very well in the show ring too.
I love my Laikas and will certainly look to work and show them regularly, especially since the breed was officially recognised by the Royal Kennel Club in 2026. They are certainly the breed for me going forward.
Alex Evans
Laikaboss Kennel
Yakutian Laika Club UK
