THE STANDARD OF WEST SIBERIAN LAIKA

CHARACTER. The breed of hunting dogs which tends to be active, reserved, and perceptive. The typical feature—get angry with animals only. These dogs run widely, sometimes run galloping.

FUR COLOURS. The fur is dapple-grey, white, grey, the colour of straws or peats, it also could be particoloured (redish or brownish). The fur that is black or black and white is unwanted. It must be brushed daily.

HEIGHT. Dogs of this particular breed are medium height and are know for their solid constitution and elongated physique. Male’s height at withers is 55-62 cm, female’s—51-58 cm. Male’s height at loins is 1-2 cm less than the height at withers; female’s height at loins is about the same. Male’s physique index is 103-107, while female’s is 104-108. Muscles are strong. Male’s hand’s size is 11-13 cm, female’s is 10-12 cm.

HEAD. Head is stiff, from above its form reminds a pointy wedge as an isosceles triangle; cranium part of the scull is medium wide (female‘s is narrower). The poll is oval, tuber is visible. The face is long, pointy but not narrow, at fangs it is wider and almost the same length as the cranium part of the scull; from the side the face looks wedge-shaped. Moreover, the cranium part o the scull is longer than wider. Forehead is not too pointy. The upper part of the face is parallel with forehead line. Eyebrows are not too visible. Lips are stiff and adherent.

EYES. Eyes are oval, remind almonds, not too big, brown and concaved more than the eyes of other laika’s; the glance is buoyant.

TEETH. Teeth are white, big, strong and densely grown together. Clench is …..

EARS. Ears are small, pointy, alert, grown up high, and reminds a lenghty triangle.

NECK. The neck is the leght of the head, muscular, stiff, oval, and makes a 45-50 degree angle with the back line.

BACK. Withers is sharp, especially male’s. The back is firm and muscular, wide and straight. Waist is short, wide, muscular and a bit prominent. Loins are medium length, fairly prone.

CHEST. The chest is wide, long, oval, the lower part researches elbows. Belly is indrawn; there is no clear border between the chest and belly.

LEGS. Front legs are muscular, straight and parallel, tight, a bit longer than the half of a dog’s length at withers. Shoulders are diagonal; elbows are ….. backwards. Hands are short, oblique. The angles of rear legs’ joints are distinct. Legs from behind look straight, muscular, parallel; thighs are shorter than calves; loins are almost vertical. Paws are oval, clenched, fingers are in, and middle fingers are longer than the outside fingers.

TAIL. Tail is convoluted as a ring; it is up on the back or on the side. It could be curly, however, then it must reach the back. The tail in its full length reaches elbow’s joint.

FUR. Skin is stiff, elastic, without any tucks or wrinkles. Hair is straight and rough. Underfur is soft, dense, which is why the fur is very warm and fluffy. Head hair and ear hear are dense, short; neck and shoulder hair—more dense and ornate—sort of as a “collar”; whisker are found on cheeks. Ridges’ hair are longer, especially male’s. Legs’ hairs are short, dense and rough; rear legs are not flappy. The hairs of paws are short and rough, between fingers there are “brushes” of hair. Tail’s hairs are straight, rough, a bit longer towards the end but not flappy.

Weaknesses and defects: according to standards, the height of a male and female is 2 cm lesser; quadrate physique; heavy head; short and curved face; prominent forehead-- indistinct or prone; projecting cheeks; indistinct tuber of sconce; hooked nose back; ears are sessile, half vertical, grown up high, far apart, with round ending; light, round, straight, staring, white, yellow, grey, green, or various colored eyes; the neck is too short or too long, too leaned, and flapper; weak, narrow and protuberant back; long, straight and too

Weak, narrow, saggy back; long, straight, too prominent waist; flat, too compliant loins; flat, round chest which does not reach elbows; belly is too saggy; splay front legs; straight or too sloping hands; rear legs are too close to one another; heel joints are a bit recapitulatory; flat paws and spread fingers; a dog‘s tail is too long, straight, falcated, and does not reach the back; a dog lacks undercoat; „collar“, whisker; freckles on the head and legs are of main color; hairs are too shor or too long, wavy or curly; visible noils of front legs; flappy rear legs; fur is brown or stripped like tiger‘s; West Siberian Laika is the best breed of Siberian Laikas‘. People hunt bear, wolves, dears, sables and other beasts with this breed of Laikas.

Source: " Dogs encyclopedia" (authors: K. Masilionis, V. Klova, A. Kuzavinis).