East Siberian Laika vs Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound - Breed Comparison

The East Siberian Laika Is a Russian dog developed for hunting in Siberia. The breed is a spitz type and good hunting large or small prey. It hunted squirrels and grouse as well as moose, mountain lions and bears. In the cold, snowy Siberia it was also a sled dog. There are four types of Russian Laikas: the West Siberian Laika, the Karelo-Finnish Laika, the East Siberian Laika and the Russo-European Laika.

Dog from the Evenki National Territory, the Lake Baikal region, the Maritime Territory, the Irkutsk Province, and the Amur River basin were the breeding groups from which the East Siberian Laika developed. In 1947 the East Siberian Laika was designated as a separate breed from the other Laikas. All 4 Laikas were registered as separate breeds at the All -Union Cynological Congress. Biologist K.G. Abramov is credited with developing the first standard for the breed.

The breed is recognized by the American Canine Association, Inc (ACA), the Dog Registry of America (DRA) as well as the FCI. They are not recognized by the UKC or the AKC. Only the government breeds the East Siberian Laika in Russia.

Once known as the Illyrian Hound and also known also as the Barak, the Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound was developed in Bosnia, and as a scenthound, it would hunt large game. Barak belongs to the hound group so typically this dog wants to chase wild game which he used to do long ago for his master.

The breed was developed into what is's current looks are. In the 1890’s he was crossed with Italian gun dogs with local scent hound stock. It is a rare breed, and outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is all but unknown.The dog is also known as the Bosnian-Rough-Coated Hound or the Illyrian Hound. In 2006 the breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club as the Barak in the Scenthound group. Unfortunately, while the Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is still found in Bosnia, there is plenty of conflict in the country, and the future of the dog is unknown.

Within the East Siberian Laika there are several different types, but two important ones are the Evenki and Irkutsk. Of all the Laikas, the East Siberian is the most diverse in physique and in color. It is a rangy dog, heavy boned and proportionately appears square. It has triangular, erect ears and a tail that curves over his back. The shape of his head can vary within the regions and the types.

The medium to large sized dog is known for his coarse, shaggy coat of wheaten, black, red or grey shades. Some dogs are bi- or tri-colored. The shaggy coat has a thick undercoat and this is what provides insulation for the dog to cope in extremely cold weather conditions. He is a moderate shedder and he will need to be brushed thoroughly twice a week to remove his loose hairs.

Some dogs have white marks on the head. The height of this dog ranges between 46–55cm at the withers and he can weigh in at between 16–24kg. He is well known for his facial hair – a moustache and beard on the muzzle with large, brown eyes and an intelligent, alert and playful expression.The Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound is a robust dog with a deep chest that provides him with a well proportioned appearance. The brown eyes have bushy eyebrows, the ears fairly long and floppy and the tail long and somewhat feathery.

The Bosnian Coarse-haired Hound makes an exceptional pet because he is loyal and friendly with his family members and patient and tolerant of children’s antics. He also gets on well with other pets in the house.

The East Siberian Laika is bred to hunt and hunt large prey as well as small. For this reason, he usually doesn’t get along well with other dogs or other large predators. Other wise he is a calm; well-mannered dog and he can be a very good watch dog. They are very trainable and make great companion dogs.

The East Siberian Laika is the calmest and quietest of the four Russian Laikas. They are very affectionate and loyal to their families. They love to walk, jog, hike, run or camp with their family.

Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hounds are loyal, loving dogs. They are intelligent too and easy to train. With training and socialization, they are well behaved and a pleasure to have in the home. He makes an excellent pet for any family who bears in mind that he needs lots of exercise. When he uses up his energy with games, walks and other activities, he becomes a playful friend with children in the house.

His temperament fits his tousled looks and he is outgoing, amicable, social and friendly. He wants to be a member of the family and to be part of all the activities going on. When he is happy and well cared for, he makes a splendid pet.

Besides injures related to hunting, the East Siberian Laika is prone to several other conditions including dysplasia and:

1. Monorcidism
2. Occasionally seen in puppies where they have only one testicle.
3. Umbilica Hernia

The contents of the dog’s abdomen come through the abdominal wall at the umbilicas. They are surgically repaired.

The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound is a generally healthy breed, but just like with other dogs, he can also be prone to some hereditary health issues.

Hip Dysplasia

This is essentially a kind of degenerative arthritis and can be painful for your pet. You’ll notice that he battles to get up after lying down. There are some treatment options that can alleviate his pain and make him more comfortable, but there is no cure.

It is essentially where the dog’s hips partially dislocate and it is a genetic condition. It is more usual in larger dogs but any dogs can battle with hip dysplasia.

Patellar Luxation

This occurs when your dog’s kneecap is dislocated. It can be a genetic malformation or trauma. A dislocated kneecap is a common knee joint abnormality and a dog with a dislocated kneecap will have abnormal hind-limb movement, occasional skipping and even lameness.

Feeding

This is an active, working dog and should be fed accordingly. Probably 1.5-2 cups of high quality dry dog food, two times a day.

Health issues

The East Siberian Laika is an ancient breed and fairly healthy though prone to dysplasia:

Hip Dysplasia

The hip socket is not formed correctly, and the bone cannot fit properly causing lameness and/or arthritis.

Elbow Dysplasia

Primary lesions and cartilage surrounding the elbow join and resulting in osteopathic injuries.

Exercise and games

Again, this is a working dog. They need at least a half hour of moderate/vigorous exercise every day. A fenced in ran is a plus. You will also need to play with him to keep him from getting bored. Catch, flyball, or agility would all suit this breed well.

Exercise

This bearded dog is energetic so he will need to be exercised by you. You can take him on walks or take him to the park or play ball games with him. He will be prone to excessive barking and other kinds of destructive behavior through no fault of his own if you buy a pet like this and just plonk him in your back garden. He wants to be a part of your family and exercising him daily is part of owning a pet like the Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound.

Training

The Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound is a strong-willed dog and intelligent too. Train him and socialize him because then he becomes such an obedient, amicable pet who just wants to please.

Feeding

Your Barak is an energetic breed so he will need top quality food packed with vitamins and minerals that can provide him with the energy he needs. When it comes to feeding your Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound, store-bought dog food comes in a dry form or wet canned form.

If you’re unfamiliar with these foods, you can also speak to your veterinarian about the best food for your pet. Many dogs are lucky because their owners provide homemade diets – raw or cooked meat, vegetables and rice. A good multivitamin with omega 3 is also recommended for your pet as this can ensure his coat is shiny and his eyes bright and alert. Fresh, cool water must be within reach day and night.