# West Siberian Laika

> Versatile hunting breed from Siberia. Ike was Brad's bear hunter, Anja a companion huntress.

## West Siberian Laika (WSL)

The West Siberian Laika is a versatile hunting breed from Western Siberia in Russia. It is one of the last true landrace hunting breeds, and it has maintained its functional abilities through centuries of use in hunting. Laikas are known for their adaptability, intelligence, and strong hunting instincts. They were historically used by Siberian hunters for various games, including small game like squirrels and larger prey like black bears and moose.

My journey with the West Siberian Laika began with my dog Ike, who came from Ukraine. I used Ike for bear control in Taos, New Mexico, where aggressive black bears were a problem. Ike's first bear encounter was memorable — he treed the bear quickly but then left me alone with it, having done his part. Ike exemplified the breed's exceptional hunting prowess and loyalty. I connected with PADS (Primitive and Aboriginal Dog Breed Society), based in Russia, through my involvement with the breed.

The West Siberian Laika's hunting style is non-western: rather than being trained to specific game through conventional methods, Laikas learn to hunt what their handler prioritizes, creating a teamwork dynamic between dog and hunter. This makes them highly adaptable hunting companions. I also owned Anja, a beautiful example of the breed who came from a squirrel hunter in Kentucky. Kilby, also from Ukraine and related to Ike, rounded out my WSL group. Ike and Kilby produced a litter that I placed across the country, including to Alaska.

I placed Ike to address a trend of using West Siberian Laikas primarily for large game hunting — historically, they are small game dogs first and foremost, and I wanted to see the breed used more in that traditional role.

### Temperament and Family Life

West Siberian Laikas are excellent family companions. They bond strongly with their people, are good with children, and generally get along well with other dogs. They are known for a loud, shrill bark. The breed is relatively handler-soft and intelligent, requiring respectful handling rather than heavy-handed corrections.

My breeding program for the West Siberian Laika focused on preserving the breed's traditional hunting abilities and genetic diversity. I carefully selected breeding pairs based on their working performance, health, and temperament. My efforts ensured that the West Siberian Laika remains a functional hunting breed, true to its landrace origins.

## Details

- **Category:** Breeds
- **Tags:** west-siberian-laika, wsl, hunting, bear-hunting, landrace, versatile
- **Region:** Russia — Western Siberia

**Also read:** [All breeds](https://bradanderson.org/breeds?format=md) · [About Brad](https://bradanderson.org/about?format=md)

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