Breeds / Size not published
Nenets Laika puppies
Friendly, hardy and highly trainable, an Arctic herding spitz that is sociable with people and animals while keeping the independence their work required.
The facts
- Size class Not published
- Country of origin Russia
- Adult weight Not published
- Adult weight in pounds Not published
- Adult height Not published
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Not published
- Shedding Heavy, brush often
- Typical lifespan Not published
- Good with children Reliably good
- Good with other dogs Reliably good
About the Nenets Laika
The Nenets Laika is a reindeer herding spitz from the Arctic north of Russia, bred by the Nenets people to move and guard herds across open tundra in extreme cold. This is a spitz in build and outlook, with pricked ears, a curled tail and a thick weatherproof double coat. Their character reflects generations of living inside family camps: friendly, sociable with people and other animals, quick to learn, and independent enough to make their own decisions when working well away from a handler.
Exercise needs are moderate but constant, with daily walks, hikes and games, and mental work to match. The coat is the real job. It blows heavily twice a year and wants an undercoat rake through those weeks, with weekly brushing the rest of the time, and it should never be shaved, since the double coat regulates temperature. The breed rates well with children and other pets, though supervision and socialisation still apply. Recall can be reliable with training, but build it thoroughly before trusting open ground.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Nenets Laika puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed and scored for
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist examination
Your Nenets Laika puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the Not published adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Buying guides for this
More on the Nenets Laika
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type, country of origin and health notes
- Health notes from Nenets Laika breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/nenets-laika/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
No published figure for adult weight, adult height, life expectancy and coat type, so nothing is shown rather than a guess.
Photo: Sergey.vlad.popov, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.