YAKUTIAN LAIKA
Group 5 (Spitz and primitive types)
Section 1 Nordic Sledge Dogs
With working trial
Coments from author Stanislav Gorodilov
BREED STANDARD
26.09.2019/EN
FCI-Standard № 365
Yakutian Laika is a dog of medium size, strong, compact, well-muscled, with moderately long legs and thick skin with no signs of looseness. The coat is well developed and should be sufficient for living and working in severe Arctic conditions. Sexual dimorphism is clearly pronounced, males are stronger and more powerful than females..
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS
It is important to mention that figures in the Standard are mostly approximate.
• The length of body from the point of shoulder to the point of buttocks exceeds the height at withers by 10–15%.
• The length of the head is a bit less than 40% of the height at withers.
• The length of the muzzle is 38–40% of the length of the head.
• The length of the foreleg to the elbow is 52–54% of the height at withers.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT
Behavior and temperament are very important.
Yakutian Laika is a bold, lively, close to man, friendly, sociable and energetic dog
HEAD
Flat, dome-shaped, narrow skull with forehead not high enough and flat stop is a severe fault.
A so-called "winter nose" often appears after winter.
While breeding it is necessary to strive for scissor bite.
Wedge-shaped, moderately pointed, proportional to dog’s size.
CRANIAL REGION: Skull: Moderately broad, slightly rounded, with a sufficiently high forehead. Stop: Well pronounced.
FACIAL REGION: Nose: Of big size, with wide nostrils, black or brown in colour.
Muzzle: Well filled under the eyes, wedge-shaped, gradually tapering towards the tip of the nose.
Lips: Dry, tight-fitting, well pigmented.
Jaws / Teeth: Teeth are strong, white, preferably in a complete set (42 teeth according to the dental formula). Scissors bite or level bite. A tight undershot (without a gap) is acceptable for dogs older than 3 years.
Cheeks: Moderately pronounced.
EYES
If the head is of correct shape, eyes will be rather wide apart. If the skull is narrow, eyes will be set close to each other.
If the head is of correct shape, eyes will be rather wide apart. If the skull is narrow, eyes will be set close to each other.
EARS
Occasionally there are dogs with tipped ears; this ear set is acceptable, but not desirable. Erect ears are preferable.
Of triangular shape, set high, wide at the base, thick, erect or half-pricked. Ears covered with thick, short hair. Ears laid back while moving.
NECK
Short or too long neck is a fault for working dogs.
Of moderate set and length, muscular
BODY
Yakutian Laika has a well-developed body, ribs are moderately sprung.
Topline is solid, short, with moderately pronounced withers.
The standard states Yakutian Laika’s chest as wide. Width of the chest should not be excessive because a too wide (barrel-shaped) chest will prevent forequarters of the dog from sustained movements.
Compact. Top line: Straight and firm, with a very slight slope from moderately pronounced withers to the base of the tail.
Back: Firm, wide, straight, muscular.
Loin: Short, wide, muscular.
Croup: Wide, muscular, long, rounded, almost horizontal.
Chest: Broad, with well sprung ribs, long enough, moderately deep.
Underline and belly: Slightly tucked up.
TAIL
Ideally Yakutian Laika’s tail must be high set and curled on the back in semi-circle, saber-shaped tail allowed. Tail may hang loosely during long distant sledding or if the dog is calm.
Set high, covered with a thick furry coat, curled up as semicircle on the dog’s back, sickle curve tail allowed. At rest or in long distance movement tail may hang loosely.
LIMBS
Pasterns should be strong and short. A small slope of pastern provides cushioning required on landing. It is especially important on the long-term moving on trot. A strong slope of pastern or long pastern weakens ligaments.
Too widely set hindquarters usually lead to an energy loss on moving.
Lower thigh angulation is about 45-50 degrees to horizon. So, in stack a Yakutian Laika should have a lower thigh (up to a vertical rear pastern) parallel to an upper arm and a neck.
Yakutian Laika's paws should be sufficiently large, compact, with muscular toes and well protected with coat.
Strong, muscular, straight, parallel.
FOREQUARTERS:
General appearance: Straight, parallel, strong, very well-muscled.
Shoulder: Shoulder blade sloping, of moderate length.
Upper arm: Muscular, sloping, of moderate length.
Elbow: Set well to body, placed backward.
Forearm: Rather long, parallel.
Metacarpus (Pastern): Short, strong, slightly sloping.
Forefeet: Well arched, with tight fitting toes and very hard pads. Thick coat (brush) between toes.
HINDQUARTERS:
General appearance: Strong-boned and well-muscled. Seen from the rear – straight and parallel.
Thigh: Broad and muscular.
Stifle (Knee): Well defined.
Lower thigh: Of medium length, strong. Hock joints angulation is well defined.
Metatarsus (Rear pastern): Strong, vertical.
Hind feet: Well arched, with tight fitting toes and very hard pads. Thick coat (brush) between toes. Slightly bigger than the front feet.
GAIT / MOVEMENT
In motion all the parts of the dog interact, and that is why the balance of all parts is essential. Poor balance, sluggish movements are a fault.
Fast, elastic. Characteristic gaits are brisk trot and gallop.
COAT
Yakutian Laikas shed seasonally, shedding is highly pronounced. Summer coat differs strongly from the winter one by length, but it remains thick and quite coarse in structure.
Hair: Thick, glossy, straight, coarse, of medium length, with very well developed thick and dense undercoat. On the neck it forms a mane, especially clearly pronounced in males; thick feathers on the back sides of the front and hind legs; the tail feathered with a small fringe. Coat is shorter on the head and front sides of the legs. Colour: White and any patching (bicolour or tricolour)
SIZE
The ideal size for males is – 56 см, for females – 55 см.
Height at the withers: Males: 55–59 cm. Females: 53–57 cm.
FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
SEVERE FAULTS
• A strong deviation from the type, short-legged dog;
• Square in body;
• Flat-ribbed, shallow or barrel chest;
• Poorly balanced, sluggish movements;
• Wavy, soft, too short hair with a poorly developed undercoat.
DISQUALIFYING FAULTS
• Aggressive or overly shy dogs.
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities.
• Males in feminine type ;
• Overshot, undershot with a gap (any gap is unacceptable), wry jaw;
• Total depigmentation of nose, eye rims or lips;
• Any solid colour except of white;
• Short (smooth) hair;
• Any behavioral or constitutional deviations affecting the health of the dog and its ability to perform the work traditional for this particular breed.
N.B
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.