The Yakut Laika is a fluffy wagon, always ready to drag sleds through snowdrifts and get a hunting trophy. The owner of this restless "northerner" will only need a willingness to accompany the pet in all its activities, but it is better to connect a few more huskies to the process - the "Yakuts" do not like to work and relax in splendid isolation. With external data, these handsome people are also all right, therefore, walking with the Yakut Laika along the street, get ready to periodically satisfy the curiosity of passers-by by answering questions about the breed of your dog.
The birthplace of these beautiful, devoted and independent four-legged animals is Eastern Siberia, which includes the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Since the 17th century, these dogs have been used for hunting and moving in dog sleds, becoming a faithful companion of the inhabitants of the Arctic. The harsh natural conditions of the region influenced the formation of the genetic code of these four-legged animals, endowing them with endurance, unpretentiousness, excellent hunting and protective instincts. The Yakut Laika breed attracts not only with its appearance, but also with a wonderful character, as well as an impeccable set of qualities for active pastime in nature.
The Yakutian Laika is a quick-witted, clever girl, focused on constant interaction with the owner and members of his family. The level of aggression in the breed is minimal, so feel free to bring the "Yakut" to a house where there are small children - this four-legged fidget will certainly make friends with them. By the way, the sociability of the Yakut Laikas extends not only to people: in a team of their own kind, nimble "northerners" also do not hesitate and quickly find contact with all members of the group.
In working circumstances (hunting, riding) the breed is quite independent and capable of making its own decisions. Do not confuse this character trait with stubbornness: animals do not tend to act contrary to the order of a person, therefore the dog’s personal initiative appears only where the owner’s prohibitions cease to operate. The Yakutian Laika is not a breed for a passive owner. To truly experience the taste of life, the dog must work. And it doesn't matter if it's elk hunting, skijoring or walking in a sleigh. Without physical exertion, the "Yakut" gets bored, falling into apathy, or vice versa - demonstrating destructive behavior.
In most sources describing the features of the breed, emphasis is placed on the complaisance of the nature of its representatives. In this regard, potential owners have a not entirely correct impression of the Yakut huskies as obedient and naturally intelligent pets. In fact, the "northerners" are capable of destructive cunning tricks, and if they are not stopped in this, they can go far in their sabotage. At the same time, the breed remains extremely intelligent and quickly draws conclusions from any situation, which greatly facilitates the educational process.
It cannot be said that the Yakut Laikas are so dominant in character, although they need a leader in the person of the owner. Remember, the dog listens only to those whom it respects and whose authority it is ready to recognize. Yakut Laikas have excellent eyesight, instinct and hearing - invaluable innate qualities if you are going to grow a hunter out of a puppy, but you should not expect superpowers from a pet. In Siberia, "Yakuts" were bred as "dogs for everything", so hunting was more of an additional qualification of the breed than a life's work. Today, with the Yakut huskies, they go mainly to elk and bear, but for fur trade they are considered not the most suitable helpers.
Raising a Laika puppy begins with socialization. In the first days after moving to a new place of residence, the baby gets used to the changed conditions, smells and people in his environment. During this period, the animal needs to be helped to get used to it - to minimize the area of its movement (preferably to one room) and not create stressful situations upon contact. Toilet training of the Yakutian Laika should be started as early as possible. Usually a puppy is planted on a tray immediately after sleep and rest. If you initially plan to relieve yourself on the street, take your pet out into the yard more often.
The owners, who have decided to keep the puppy in the yard from the first days of life, should not neglect hygiene discipline either. Usually yard dogs themselves find their favorite place on the territory, which is used as a toilet. If the ward got into the habit of leaving "heaps" wherever the need finds, try to adjust his habits. For example, spray areas you'd like to keep clean with strong-scented deodorant or a menthol scent that dogs hate. Another option is to lay out piles of earth marked with other “tails” in the places of the proposed toilet. Likes are excellent sniffers, therefore, having found such a “hello” from fellow tribesmen, they will definitely want to leave their odorous mark on it.
In 2-3 months you need to start training. By this time, the Yakut Laika puppy should know his name and respond to the nickname. The first commands are worked out: "Come to me!", "Sit!", "Place!" and "No!". Classes are best done twice a day so that the animal does not get bored. If you raise a future show star, then after the command "Sit!" teach your pet to obey the command "Show your teeth!" - tribal commissions approach bite assessment strictly.
With six-month-old individuals, it is recommended to work out the orders "Next!" and "Search!" - without them it will not be possible to control the behavior of the pet on the hunt. It is also advisable to learn the commands "Lie down!", "Wait!", "Give". Moreover, you can give orders not only with your voice, but also with gestures - in hunting conditions, when the beast is very close, the dog's ability to read the owner's gestures will do a good job. You can get more information about hunting methods and training methods in the books “Laika and her training”. And of course, do not forget about the golden rules of the trainer: do not repeat the command more than three times and always reward the puppy for the slightest achievements.
The Yakutian Laika is not well adapted to urban realities, and even more so to life in an apartment. The natural environment for a dog is a country estate with a vast walking area or an ordinary rural courtyard. Having a thick coat, animals tolerate cold more easily than tropical heat, so it is undesirable to take them for a walk and hunt on especially hot days. The best living conditions for "Yakuts" are considered to be a yard and an aviary. Keeping a husky in the house is also possible, but it is associated with a number of inconveniences for both the pet and the owner.
The aboriginal status of the breed has awarded its representatives with excellent health and a predisposition to a limited number of diseases. The main ailments that Yakut Laikas are prone to are joint dysplasia, eye diseases (cataracts, glaucoma, retinal dystrophy, congenital complete or partial blindness), oncological problems in older dogs, dermatitis and eczema. Please note that the last two diseases appear mainly in individuals living in a hot climate. Thick undercoat, warming in the northern latitudes, causes a lot of problems in the southern regions, as it prevents air circulation between the layers of wool and inhibits heat transfer processes.
