Nenets Laika
Temperament
Loyal, Intelligent, Adaptable
[2]A reindeer-herding dog from northern Russia
RKF’s revised 2022 standard describes a northern Russian reindeer-herding dog also used in search and rescue and as a companion. It records RKF recognition in 1999 and states that FCI had not recognized the breed.
[1]A small agile dog with two coat lengths
RKF describes a lean, agile dog with a wedge-shaped head and erect ears. Males are 42–50 cm tall and females 38–46 cm. The long-haired erre has body hair at least 8–10 cm long; the short-haired yando has body hair at least 4 cm long.
[1]A double coat against cold winds and summer insects
The coat has harsh straight outer hair and a thick soft undercoat. RKF describes protection from severe frost, wind and small biting insects in summer.
[1]Varied coat colours and a separate eye-colour rule
RKF lists wolf grey/red, black, black and tan, red, fawn, brown, white and patched colours. Blue pigment in the coat is allowed but not preferred, while partly or wholly blue eyes are disqualifying.
[1]