West Siberian Laika vs Standard Schnauzer - Breed Comparison

West Siberian Laika vs Standard Schnauzer - Breed ComparisonStandard Schnauzer is originated from Germany but West Siberian Laika is originated from Russia. Standard Schnauzer may grow 10 cm / 3 inches shorter than West Siberian Laika. Both Standard Schnauzer and West Siberian Laika are having almost same weight. Both Standard Schnauzer and West Siberian Laika has almost same life span. Standard Schnauzer may have more litter size than West Siberian Laika. Standard Schnauzer requires High Maintenance. But West Siberian Laika requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Sporting dog
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Germany
Russia
Height Male:
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Height Female:
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
53 - 58 cm
20 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 26 kg
35 - 58 pounds
16 - 23 kg
35 - 51 pounds
Weight Female:
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 16 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 13
6 - 10
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Mittelschnauzer, Wire-Haired Pinscher, Schnauzer
WSL, Zapadno-Sibirskaia Laika
Colors Available:
black, Pepper-and-salt
gray, white, white with patches
Coat:
Harsh and wiry when hand stripped, soft when clippered/scissored
double coat
Shedding:
Moderate, Constant
Seasonal
Temperament:
Alert, Gentle, Loyal, Social
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Protective, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
High Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

standard schnauzerComing out of Germany in the 14th and 15th century is the Standard Schnauzer or Mittelschnauzer. Both the Giant Schnauzer and Miniature Schnauzer are descendants of the Standard Schnauzer. The first name for this breed was the Wire-haired Pinscher until 1879. The breed is a working breed that is popular in Europe and was first in a dog show in 1879 in Hanover, Germany. In 1997 they won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club in New York.

These medium size Schnauzers were bred in the Middle Ages to be versatile in working and herding in Germany. There seems to be artwork from the 14th through the 16th centuries featuring this breed of dog as a hunter. It is believed that the common ancestors of the Standard Schnauzer is the German Pinscher and the gray Wolf Spitz, along with the black German Poodle and the Bolognese.

It was 1850 when the breed gained recognition as a purebred with distinct and recognizable features. Those are not all the same features that the dogs of today show. These dogs had thick hair on their face, a double coat that is wiry, and their tails were cropped. These dogs were initially Wire-haired German Pinscher then in 1879, a dog named Schnauzer won Best in Show in Hanover. By 1900, the breed was being called Schnauzer everywhere.

The first breed standard was written under the Wire-haired German Pinscher name in the early 1880’s. This standard allowed for a lot of different colors, but the salt and pepper of today was not introduced until the late 1800’s. Then the standard was rewritten in 1907 for the Standard Schnauzer with this as the dominant color.

The first official Standard Schnauzer imported to the United States came in 1905 even though there is a claim that one competed in the 1899 Westminster Kennel Club in the Miscellaneous Class. Following the first World War, the breed became increasingly popular in the States. At that time the US club was called the Wire-haired Pinscher Club of America in 1925. Both standard and miniature sized schnauzer are included in this club.

The breeds were separated in 1933 and became the Standard Schnauzer Club of America and classified by the American Kennel Club as part of the Working Group. In 1926 they moved the Standard Schnauzer to the Terrier Group. By 1926 the Schnauzer Club of Great Britain was formed.

west siberian laikaThe West Siberian Laika come from the Khanty and Mansi tribes of West Siberia and Ural. They are a primitive breed used for hunting and come from the spitz and wolf lines. They retain many of their primitive looks and traits to this day. They were pre-historic companions to human hunters and remain so today in the northern regions of the Russia. They were never sled dogs but pure hunters throughout their journey to a domesticated breed. They hunted in the forests of the mountainous regions and were adapted to hunting in the woods. When their prey was hunted almost to extinction, the Laikas were also in danger of disappearing.

From the early days of the 1900’s through the first World War, there were several campaigns to save the WSL from extinction. A breed standard was developed around the 1930’s. Following the war the breeding programs became more uniformed and followed the standard that was in place. World War II disrupted it again, but once again it was resumed after the war.

The breed was once again threatened by industrialization and deforestation in the early 20th century, as they were replaced by newer, more popular breeds. There were thought to be dozens of aboriginal Laikas with various groups attached to different groups of indigenous hunters.

Following the second World War and the ever increasing detail of breed standards, the Laikas were divided into four pure bred groupings: the West Siberian Laika, the East Siberian Laika, the Russ-European Laika and the Karelo-Finnish Laika. All of these breeds are Laikas because they are bark pointing hunters.

They were imported to the U.S. in the early 1990’s by a Russian immigrant. Vladmir Beregovoy is credited with bringing the breed to the States. There are now about 300-400 West Siberian Laika’sin the U.S. They are a very emotional breed, very in touch with his human’s feelings, habits and intentions. He is a barker for sure who hates to be left alone. An intense breed with the need for companionship and a purpose. They will do anything to escape a pen if left alone for long periods of time.

The breed is protective of its people with other animals and some are wary of strangers. He needs an active family to match his active spirit. They will bark at all wild life including all the squirrels in your yard. So if don’t want a “barker”, don’t get a West Siberian Laika.

They are recognized by the United Kennel Club, the American Canine Association the Dog Registry of American and the Federation Cynologique Internationale

Description

standard schnauzer puppy - descriptionToday’s Standard Schnauzer is a square, robust, medium sized dog. The breed boasts heavy eyebrows and thick beards. They are salt and pepper or black and their coat is wiry and stiff. The breed have excellent muscle tone and a body in proportion height to length. Their build is rugged, and coat is dense.

west siberian laika puppy - descriptionThe WSL comes from the Spitz line and also directly descendent from the wolf. They look and act a lot like a wolf in many ways. They have retained much of their primitive traits. With a pointed, long muzzle, an almost square head, and square body, they have wolf colored coats of gray and red. They are mostly medium in size but some can be smaller or larger. Their head is shaped like a wedge, their eyes are typical almond shape and set deep in their head. They are brown or even darker. The muzzle is almost as long as the skull. Their lips are thin and black. The ears are straight up and pricked.

They have bodies longer than they are tall with a lot of musculature. They carry their tail high over their backs. With straight legs and forward feet, with gray, red and white coats, they still look like wild dogs.

Characteristics

1Children friendliness – yes, they love children and love to play.

2.Special talents include cancer scenting/search and rescue

3.Adaptability is good can live in the apartment/play indoors

4.Learning ability excellent but independent and stubborn

1 Children Friendliness – Yes they are ok with children but not unsupervised.

2.Special talents stamina, agility

west siberian laika dog - characteristics3.Adaptability This is not really an apartment dog though he can adapt. He needs outdoor space to run everyday. So if in an apartment find a dog park for everyday use.

4.Learning ability – Highly trainable and very smart. Independent thinker though might cause some issues.

Health Problems

standard schnauzer puppies - health problemsThere are a couple of major hereditary health issues faced by the Standard Schnauzer.

  • Hip dysplasia – can cause lameness or arthritis.
  • Elbow dysplasia– can cause lameness or arthritis.
  • Eye disease – cataracts – can diminish eyesight or cause blindness.
  • Heart disease – can be fatal.
  • Epilepsy – can be treated with medication.
  • Skin issues including cancer – various degrees of seriousness.

west siberian laika puppies - health problemsHealth wise there are no genetic health issues known today. Since they were so wild, primitive and isolated there was not a lot of inbreeding to any standards. There are however some interesting health facts about the WSL.

• Females only come into estrus once a year, usually in the late winter. They are usually one to two or two and a half years old when this happens. The Russians who know them best frown on breeding them before they are at least two.

• They are subject to many of the same parasites and some diseases like any other canine. But they are not susceptable to any illness specific to their breed.

• Hunting accidents might bet he biggest health threat this breed faces at the moment.

• However with more dogs being bred for the show ring, this could all change and genetic issues could begin to pop up for them.

Caring The Pet

standard schnauzer dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy: At 8-12 weeks feed four times a day. At 3 to 6 months feed three times a day. At 6 to 12 months feed twice a day.

2.Feeding the adult – feed one meal a day or two small ones.

3.Points for Good Health – very energetic breed

4. Games and Exercises – The breed is extremely athletic and needs daily exercise. They are playful with dogs and people and they are family dogs. They want to go wherever you go. Hiking, running, jogging and organized activities.

They are great at obedience, agility, flyball, disc dog, herding and tracking. They have also been involved in search and rescue, bomb detection, and cancer detection.

west siberian laika dogs - caringperformance, working dog food. High in protein and fat is needed to maintain their lean muscle. Don’t over feed them as they will become obese and they will be unhappy if their physical activities are restricted, even if by their own weight. Be sure you break up their day’s food amount into 3-4 smaller meals.

2.Feeding the adult – Almost everything is equally true for the adult. They need a high protein and high fat food – a high performance food. Don’t over feed and give them at least 2 meals per day.

3.Points for Good Health – as previously mentioned this is a hardy and robust breed,

4. Games and Exercises They need a lot of exercise, have a strong prey drive and are very intelligent. A dog with those traits that does not get enough exercise will drive you crazy if he is not stimulated.

Comparison with other breeds

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  30. West Siberian Laika vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. West Siberian Laika vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. West Siberian Laika vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. West Siberian Laika vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. West Siberian Laika vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. West Siberian Laika vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. West Siberian Laika vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. West Siberian Laika vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. West Siberian Laika vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. West Siberian Laika vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. West Siberian Laika vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. West Siberian Laika vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. West Siberian Laika vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. West Siberian Laika vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. West Siberian Laika vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. West Siberian Laika vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. West Siberian Laika vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. West Siberian Laika vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. West Siberian Laika vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. West Siberian Laika vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. West Siberian Laika vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison