Hamiltonstovare vs East Siberian Laika - 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.

Bred as a hunting hound, the Hamiltonstovare hails from Sweden, being founded in the late 1800s. He was first exhibited in Sweden in 1886.

Known also as the Hamilton or the Swedish Foxhound, the dog was developed by Count Adolf Hamilton who was also the founder of the Swedish Kennel Club. The dog’s ancestry includes some German Hounds as well as Harriers and English Foxhounds, and this has ensured he has excellent hunting instincts.

This dog breed got the name Hamiltonstovare in 1921 as a tribute to the person who created the breed and also the founder of the Swedish Kennel Club, Count A.P. Hamilton. The Hamiltonstovare isn’t recognized by the AKC but is recognized by the FCI and is also a member of the Foundation Stock Service. He is recognized by the Kennel Club in the UK as a Hound.

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 Hamilton Hound is a good looking, well proportioned dog with an attractive, 2-layered, shortish, smooth, tri-colored coat of tan, black and white.

These dogs stand at about 49-61cm in height and they weigh 23 – 27kg. The eyes are brown and the ears are floppy. He is a deep chested dog with a long tail which he carries straight or which is somewhat curved. He has a longish head with a skull that is slightly arched and broad.

Temperament:

Friendly, social and amicable, the even-tempered Hamiltonstovare is a dog that loves to be with his human family. When you look at him you look at him as a friend as he has a calm, intelligent expression about him.

He is a stubborn, non-aggressive dog that is intelligent and this makes it easy to have him trained and socialized to make him obedient and to follow some easy instructions.

He is a very active dog and will love an owner who leads an active, outdoor life. Most Hamiltons love swimming too and he will be thrilled if you plunge in with him on a hot day.

He has always been a hunting dog, and while they love spending time with their human family, he loves the thrill of the hunt. He is a playful dog too, loving to entertain and be entertained, and he gets on well with children.

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.

Hamiltonstovares make wonderful companions simply because they’re friendly dogs with stable personalities.

He is actually an ‘all-rounder’ dog – well proportioned and good-looking and with a solid personality to match.

He is lithe and muscled and as a multi-purpose dog, he has been used to follow scents and hunt down prey. These skills as well as his loyal characteristics have made him a versatile, sought after pet.

Another bonus when you own a dog like this is that he is also a low maintenance dog, shedding very little. He is intelligent too and easy to train, and all these qualities make him a wonderful pet to own.

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.

Every dog has different genetic make ups that affect them and they have different susceptibilities to illnesses. The average life expectancy of a Hamiltonstovare is between 10 and 13 years when he is looked after and well nourished with top quality food.

Some things to look out for are hip dysplasia, cancer, bloat and obesity.

Obesity:

Look out for obesity in your pet because just like with people, obesity leads to other diseases and complications in dogs such as diabetes, respiratory disorders, osteoarthritis and hypertension.

If your dog needs to lose weight, and you just don’t know how you’re going to deny him the treats he loves, speak to your vet who can even work out a weight management program for him.

Cancer:

Cancer is a formidable threat to all dog breeds. The most obvious sign that your dog could have cancer is abnormal swelling that gets larger under the skin. The idea is get get the lump removed and biopsied as soon as possible. Loss of appetite, weight loss, sores that don’t heal and bleeding or discharge are all signs of cancer.

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.

Grooming:

The Hamiltonstovare has a double coat but even so, he is a low maintenance breed that will simply require a brush twice a week to remove dead and loose hair.

Because he has floppy ears, it is important to check his ears because too much wax and debris can lead to a painful infection.

Exercise:

This is a high energy dog who will need the right amount of exercise as well as mental stimulation to be at his best. A nice walk every day will be excellent for him as well as the usual ball games in the garden.

Feeding:

If you get your Hamilton puppy from a breeder, it would be wise to stick to the same food they were feeding your puppy with. Suddenly changing his good could cause digestive upsets.

Every Hamilton requires top quality food that meets all his nutritional requirements. If you give him commercially manufactured food, make sure to follow the instructions with regards to the amount of food you give him as he can put on too much weight.

These dogs are known to suffer with bloat, so rather give him smaller meals than one large meal a day. Your Hamilton should never be exercised immediately after eating a meal. Remember to always ensure a bowl of fresh, cool water is always available.