Dog Tips

List of Siberian Dog Breeds

Here are some amazing things Siberia is famous for – 

  • Extreme cold temperatures - The town of Oymyakon is one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth, with temperatures plummeting below -50°C (-58°F).

  • Trans-Siberian Railway – The region hosts one of the longest railway lines in the world – Moscow to Vladivostok, which spans nearly 6000 miles.

  • Lake Bikal - The deepest and oldest freshwater lake in the world that holds about 20% of the world's unfrozen fresh water.

  • Tigers – Siberian tiger or the Amur tiger, a rare species, is the largest cat in the world. 

  • Taiga forest – The region also hosts the world’s largest forest, which is home to bears, wolves, and lynx.

  • Mammoth discoveries, stunning landscapes, cultural diversity.

  • And Siberian Dogs.

We’ll talk about the last one. 

When you look at the dog breeds that originated in Siberia, most of them are working breeds that evolved over thousands of years to withstand harsh environments and subzero Siberian temperatures. They were bred to be strong as their work involved protection, pulling sledges, military operations, etc. In recent times, smaller breeds have been developed meant for companionship as our lifestyles changed to apartment-style living. 

Here are some of the most popular ones – (2)

Siberian Husky

Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky have to top the list of popularity here as they are not only famous in Siberia or Russia but the entire world. They are the perfect example of beauty with brains – add strength to it. Their history goes back 4000 years, making them one of the oldest dog breeds out there. Their ancestors worked alongside Indigenous people from the harshest lands in Siberia. Even today, they can thrive in subzero temperatures and pull loads over long distances without breaking a sweat. 

Samoyed

Samoyed

The always-smiling dog breed, Samoyed, is another beautiful one from Siberia. They look like they were bred to be big-cuddle bears but were actually bred to herd reindeer, pull sledges and hunt, all in the harshest temperatures in rural Russia. The big fluffy coat that is perfect for cuddling, helps them survive in temperatures such as -50 degrees Celsius. After years of hard work, they are now owned by people across the world as a companion and cuddle-buddy (the job they were always meant to do).

East Siberian Laika

The Russian version of the German Shepherd, East Siberian Laika is a strong breed from the eastern forests of Siberia. They are extremely brave, owing to their original purpose of hunting and serving the Russian army. They are highly intelligent and make great family pets (with a little bit of destructive behaviors). 

Other popular Siberian Dog Breeds include – 

  • Karelian Bear Dog

  • West Siberian Laika

  • Sakhalin Husky (Karafuto-Ken)

  • Yakutian Laika

What is the Largest Breed of Dog in Russia?

The award for the largest dog breed that originated from Russia goes to – The Caucasian Shepherd or the Caucasian Ovcharka. They come with a muscular build and a multi-layered fur. They may not be the largest dog breeds in the world but surely are one of the largest out there with an average height of 28-30 inches and an average weight of 100-110 lbs. (1)

These dogs are primarily shepherds as they were developed to be livestock guardians to sheep from predators, mainly wolves and human sheep thieves. Today, however, they serve their origin country by being the prison guards there. (1)

What Breed is the Russian Police Dog?

The answer is the Black Russian Terrier. BRTs as they are popularly known, were bred to serve as guard dogs and police dogs in the Soviet Union. It is believed that a whopping twenty breeds were used to develop these military dogs. They include the Airedale Terrier, the Giant Schnauzer, the Rottweiler, the Newfoundland dog, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and many more. (3)

What are Some Russian Dog Breeds?

Apart from the ones mentioned above, here are some more interesting dog breeds originating in Russia – 

  • Borzoi

  • Central Asian Shepherd Dog

  • East European Shepherd

  • Moscow Watchdog

  • Russkaya tsvetnaya bolonka

  • Russian Spaniel

  • Russian Toy

  • South Russian Shepherd Dog

  • Sulimov

What Breed of Dog is Balto?

The super-dog that saved thousands of lives by being a part of a dogsled team that delivered lifesaving antitoxin to a remote Alaskan town that was struck by diphtheria in 1925 was none other than the beautiful Russian breed – Siberian Husky.

The entire operation was a 674-mile relay from Nenana, Alaska, braving intense winds and wind-chill temperatures of –85 degrees Fahrenheit. Balto’s bravery has been immortalized as a statue in New York City’s Central Park. (4)

More About Spot Pet Insurance

Siberian dogs are one of the strongest out there as they were bred to withstand extreme temperatures and the harshest of conditions. Having said that, even they are prone to several illnesses during their lifetimes. And on top of that the chances of getting into accidents and getting severely injured because of the extremely high levels of energy. 

Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:

  • Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments, such as emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.

  • Customizable Plans: Choose your annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible from a range of options, and create the plan that will fit the needs of your pet and your budget. 

  • Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can know that they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.

To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.


Sources

  1. Wikipedia contributors. (2024, June 17). Caucasian shepherd dog. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasian_Shepherd_Dog

  2. Johnstone, G. (2024, June 6). 15 Russian Dog Breeds with Impressive Histories. Reader’s Digest. https://www.rd.com/list/russian-dog-breeds/

  3. Young, L. J. (2024, February 20). The Lifesaving Sled Dog Balto Had Genes unlike Those of Dog Breeds Today. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-life-saving-sled-dog-balto-had-genes-unlike-dog-breeds-today/

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