Nenets Herding Laika

Nenets Herding Laika
Other namesReindeer Laika, Reindeer Spitz, Nenets Laika, Olenegonka, Tavgian laika, and Russian Samoyed Laika
OriginRussia
Traits
Height Males 44–50 cm
Females 40–45 cm
Coat Double
Color Grey, red, brown,white, black, sable, piebald
Kennel club standards
RKF standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The Nenets Herding Laika is an aboriginal spitz landrace of dog originating from the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, in Russia. Unlike other laikas, Nenets Herding Laika are less commonly used for hunting. Instead they have been selected primarily for reindeer herding ability, originally by the Nenets people, and later by reindeer herders through Russia. Nenets herding laika are thought to be the progenitor of several modern breeds, the most well-documented being the Samoyed. Despite this, the breed almost died out during the Soviet era due to lack of interest in preserving genetically purebred examples. In 1994, the Russian Kynologic Federation (RKF) approved the first official standard of the breed.