Laikas occurring on Russian territory belong to northern primitive breeds retaining traits of their wild ancestor the wolf in the appearance and behavior.  All Laikas are versatile dogs, but in certain parts of the country they became more or less specialized, depending on their use and environment.  Here, I will show only those Laika breeds of Russia that have been used primarily for hunting.  They are dogs of the taiga forest zone. Laikas living with native peoples of the polar desert and tundra zones of Europe and Siberia became specialized for driving reindeer herds and/or pulling sleds.  Although some of these dogs still can become good hunting dogs, their hunting capability is inferior to true hunting Laikas of the taiga zone.

In Russian language, the term  "Laika" originated from the word "layat'" that means to bark.  Word Laika simply means a dog that barks.  Indeed, any hunting Laika is a bark pointer.  Since prehistoric times, these dogs served native people as hunting assistants and as watchdogs.  In most populated and industrial parts of Russia, specialized hunting breeds with lop ears, such as scent hounds, sight hounds and bird dogs gradually replaced Laikas and contaminated them genetically through uncontrolled interbreeding.  Some aboriginal Laika types still remain with hunters of remote northern and northeastern provinces of the country.  In 20th, Russians tried to save some hunting Laikas from extinction by importing them from different geographic regions of Russia and breeding them pure.  In period from 1930 to 1940 and after World War II, they established four breeds as purebreds: the Karelo-Finnish Laika, the Russo-European Laika, the West Siberian Laika and the East Siberian Laika.  Hunting style of all Laikas  is generally similar.  However, each Laika breed has its own advantages associated with adaptations to ecological conditions and most popular game in country of their origin.
All Russian Laika breeds are very affectionate and devoted to the master and his family dogs.  They are efficient and versatile hunting dogs.  Their wolf-like appearance, endurance at work, strong health, intelligence and ability to survive under conditions of minimal care make them particularly attractive for many hunters dog lovers who value primitive dogs.  To preserve valuable wild qualities of Russian Laikas, they should be kept the natural way.  Laikas of the breeding stock must be diligently evaluated for the hunting ability and selected for traits indicating a potential survivor under harsh natural conditions.