User talk:Ufimych

I have found an article about West Siberian Laika written by Vasko Raichev. It is full of errors. I have imported the first pair of West Siberian Laikas and introduced the breed in USA and Canada. We have organized Laika Hunters Association of North America (LHANA) and I published a book "Hunting Laika Breeds of Russia", MMP, 2000. The book is based on my personal experience with the breed and on Russian sources, such as "Laika and Hunting with it" by M. G. Dmitrieva-Sulima, 1911, S.-Peterburg, Russia, republished in 2003 by Aquarium, Moscow and "Hunting Laikas" by A. T. Voilochnikov and S. D. Voilochnikova, Moscow, Lesnaya Promyshlennost, 1982. Together with Steve Bodio I have translated from Russian into English "Notes of an East Siberian HUnter" by A. A. Cherkassov, Authorhouse, 2012. I also published "Primitive Breeds-Perfect Dogs", Don Hoflin Publishing. Therefore, I have a reason to contribute information about West Siberian Laika to Wikipedia. I can write an article, but it is very complicated, if possible, to publish it in Wikipedia.

West Siberian Laika
I can write a new article about West Siberian Laika. Editing the article you already have is a very unrewarding job. I have enough material with references to serious sources in Russian and in English. The article you have is written by Vasko Raichev. It is full of errors and misleading statements. I still do not low how to enter the new written file. I have many good original pictures of West Siberian Laika of different coat colors. I can paste it here. Vladimir Beregovoy

West Siberian Laika
Here is my article about West Siberian Laika for WIKIPEDIA. How to get it in? I can add original pictures of West Siberian Laikas of different coat colors and hunting scenes with these dogs.

WEST SIBERIAN LAIKA

By Vladimir Beregovoy

Origin and history.

All Laikas are versatile dogs, but in certain parts of the country, they have become more or less specialized, depending on their use and environment. In Russian language, the term "Laika" originated from the word "layat" that means to bark. The word Laika simply means a dog that barks. Indeed, any hunting Laika is a bark pointer. Laikas, occurring on Russian territory, belong to northern primitive breeds retaining traits of their wild ancestor, the wolf, in the appearance and behavior. They are dogs with pointed muzzle, slightly rangy or nearly square body and often gray or gray mixed with red like in the wolf coat color predominate. They are small to medium size pariah- type dogs that originally accompanied humans since prehistory worldwide until they became replaced with lop eared specialized for certain style of hunting cultured breeds. In large sparser populated parts of Russia, this process came at a later time and aboriginal Laika types still remain with hunters in remote northern and northeastern provinces of the country. Deforestation of land for agriculture and industrialization in later XIX-early XX Centuries accelerated replacement of Laikas with other popular at the time dogs. Russian experts of the late 19th century distinguished dozens of varieties of aboriginal Laikas, each associated with a particular ethnic group of indigenous people of northeastern Europe and Siberia, but none of them had been considered as purebred and pedigreed. Russians tried to save some hunting Laikas from extinction by bringing them from different provincial parts of Russia in cities of European part of the country and breeding them pure. Starting from thirtieth and especially after WW II, they established four breeds as purebreds: the Karelo-Finnish Laika, the Russ-European Laika, the West Siberian Laika and the East Siberian Laika. They all are bark-pointing dogs and their hunting behavior is generally similar. All of them are descendants of aboriginal types of Laikas selectively sampled from large territories and lumped into the four breeds for breeding in kennels. Among all of them, the West Siberian Laika became most popular and by present time it is most numerous Laika far beyond its original range in Russia. In sixties, Soviet diplomats and government officials occasionally brought West Siberian Laikas to the USA. They lived their lives as pets and have never been taken hunting or bred. In USA, history of the West Siberian Laika began, when I imported the first pair in 1991 and raised the first litter in 1993. Majority of West Siberain Laikas started from nine dogs imported by me or with my assistance during 1991 to 2002. These dogs formed the first breeding stock dogs in the USA. In the beginning, they were registered with the Federation of International Canines (FIC) and then with United Kennel Club (UKC). Besides, there were at least five dogs imported by other people during recent time. To maintain the breed genetically, we continue importation of new blood West Siberian Laikas. At present, the total number of West Siberian Laikas in the USA and Canada is about 200 dogs. We organized LHANA (Laika Hunters Association of North America), which unites owners and hunters with Laikas and Laika related hunting dogs. The majority of West Siberian Laikas belongs to hunters and I hope that the breed will stay in this country because of its outstanding hunting qualities.

Appearance

E. I. Shereshevsky, one of the designers of the breed, describes West Siberian Laika as follows: "Body structure is strong; temperament is well-balanced, but lively and alert; height at the shoulder 55-60 cm; coat is well developed with thick undercoat. Body is well developed with deep and long chest. Head is very typical of the breed. Coat color is predominately gray with white, pure white and with spots. Appearance of dogs of the Borka-Panda strain of the West Siberian Laika is characterized by the so-called "zverovatost" [a wolf-like look], a peculiar primitive similarity to wild ancestors that is characteristic of Laikas in general. The hunting reflex is strongly developed. Dogs are inclined to work on capercaillie and big game. Average four-five puppies per litter characterize fertility of bitches of this group. Majority of them comes in heat one time per year."

The West Siberian Laika includes two aboriginal types: the lighter built long-legged and long-headed Laika of Mansi people and more compact built with shorter muzzle Laika of Hanty people. As a result now existing West Siberian Laikas are more or less variable, which benefits the breed genetically. The coat of the West Siberian Laika is a double coat of harsh straight guard hairs and thick and soft undercoat. The guard hairs on the neck, around the head and shoulders are particularly long and stiff. Together with a very thick undercoat they form a ruff framing the dog's face. On the tail, the guard hair and undercoat are also longer and thicker then on the rest of the body. In wintertime, the dogs living in countries with a cold climate, hair is growing between the toes. Although the coat quality varies individually, dogs raised in countries with cold climates have longer and thicker coat than dogs that live in warm and hot climate or dogs that are kept inside most of the time. Most common coat colors are wolf gray, pale red and white. The gray coat can be of various shades from almost white to very dark gray, nearly black. The gray can be mixed with red producing array of brownish and red shades. Sable coats, combining black and white or black and brown or red also occur, but they are banned in the recent breed standard. Dogs with either coat color described above may have white patches in different proportions. Pale red and white dogs may have brown noses and lips. Dogs with either coat color have so-called "zonary" pattern of distribution of pigment in each guard hair. This means guard hair has alternating bands (zones) of white with black, brown or red color. Hairs with evenly distributed pigment indicate an admixture of other then Laika breed. The head is wedge-shaped in the form of a triangle, flat on the top and broader between ears. In the Mansi Laika, the head is more elongate with muzzle as long as the skull from eye to occiput or slightly longer. In the Hanty Laika,the head is boarder and the muzzle is as long as the skull or slightly shorter. Lips are always close and lean. A full set of large teeth with a scissors bite is typical, but dogs with vice bite also occur. The standard accepts scissors bite only. In many dogs with a scissors bite at young age the bite is changing with age and becomes a vice bite by age of 5-6 years. Eyes are almond-shaped, medium size, deep set and distinctly slanted. Their colors are brown to dark brown.Dogs with amber yellow and/or blue eyes rarely occur, but hunters believe that dogs with brown and dark brown eyes are better hunting dogs. According to the standard, any eye color, except brown and light brown is a fault. Ears are always pricked and directed straight up, but their size, pointed or slightly rounded tips of ears are variable. Generally, ears of the Hanty Laika are small to medium. In the Mansi Laika, ears are medium to long. Ears can be set high and close to each other or slightly apart. The tail is carried high curving over the back. Details of its structure and carriage are variable among aboriginal dogs. In majority of dogs, the tip of the tail lies on the back, but some dogs have the tip of the tail rigidly curved like a fishhook. Among aboriginal dogs, there are individuals with a sickle-shaped tail, but it is considered faulty by the modern breed standard. The body is slightly longer then the height or nearly square and with well-muscled forequarters and hindquarters. Legs are straight and parallel. Front feet are directed forward or slightly east-west and hind legs are straight and in many dogs slightly cow-hocked. The breed standard rejects square body proportions, cow hocks and east-west position of front feet. The angulation at stifles is normally developed and look like in wild canids. Feet are strong, compact and elongate. Toes are strong, flexible and well arched. The majority of females of the West Siberian Laika have one estrus per year, usually in February and March. Some females have their first estrus not fixed by a certain season. The first estrus can be at age of one to two and a half years. Russian experts do not recommend breeding Laikas until they are at least two years old. The number of puppies per litter varies from one to nine, but litters of three to seven puppies are most frequent. Females of the West Siberian Laika are good mothers and, if conditions permit, dig their own whelping dens, give birth to puppies and raise them without any assistance as soon as the food is available.

Character and behavior. The West Siberian Laika is a very affectionate and devoted to the master dog. The majority of them bark at strangers approaching the house The Attitude to unfamiliar people varies individually and depending on the situation. Some dogs first bark and then wag their tails, greeting the guest and allow themselves to be petted. Many West Siberian Laikas are aloof with a strange person, avoid hands and watch him suspiciously. Some dogs become protective of the master, his family and their property. Many West Siberian Laikas accept a new owner with difficulty and need time to adjust to a new place. According to standard, aggressiveness to unfamiliar people is not typical. West Siberian Laika is highly territorial and aggressive to other intruding dogs of the same sex. Adult Laikas, especially males, can be hunted only with dogs raised in the same household. West Siberian Laika can easily learn to leave alone farm animals and naturally capable to tell apart wild game from domesticated animals. Cats of the same household are accepted, but stray cats will be treed like game.

Utilitarian qualities. The West Siberian Laika is primarily a hunting dog. Everyone, who decides on a puppy of this breed, should expect a full package of traits of a typical hunting Spitz. It is an emotional dog, very observant to the habits of its master, his mood and often can foresee his intentions. It does not hesitate to express its strong feelings by barking and other noises. The West Siberian Laika is a poor kennel dog. If the dog is left alone, locked up in a small backyard or in a pen, some dogs develop a habit of barking, seemingly without a purpose. Permanently penned or fenced West Siberian Laikas attempt to dig under the fence or climb over it. Some dogs not trained to stay penned, try to bite the wires and thereby they damage their teeth. Once freed or turned loose, such a dog will be hard to control. It will run too far, chase other animals and likely get into trouble. West Siberian Laikas that are kept well exercised, busy with hunting and contacts with other dogs, animals and people, are content, obedient and never bark without a reason. Therefore, to make a happy dog and its owner, the right conditions of the environment for hunting plus time dedicated to the dog must be met. All West Siberian Laikas are naturally protective against wild animals, especially predators, and some dogs are protective against strangers acting suspicious or violent. A West Siberian Laika will make a good companion dog for a hiking trip. However, its extraordinary interest in wildlife demands special attention because the dog may tree some animals and stay far behind for some time. The West Siberian Laika is a great psycho-therapy dog. I am not joking. This is a great psycho-therapy dog for able bodied active people, who are not lazy to walk a lot and hunt. He needs regular free exercising between hunting seasons. Take him for walking trips in safe places often and stay healthy. If you have bears in the woods near you, this dog would be the best to warn you or your loved ones in time about the bear's presence and may even show you a treed bear. When a Laika sees a bear, he runs toward the bear, not from it, and he will be barking. When a Laika barks at bear, his voice sounds as if he were barking at a human-very unlike when he is barking at a squirrel. Treeing squirrels and other small game comes naturally. Just take your puppy in woods and turn him loose. He will start finding his own squirrels by age of 4 to 10 months. Mansi, Hanty, Russians and any other ethnic groups of people living in Russia use the same dogs for hunting and as alarm dogs. Some West Siberian Laikas work well herding reindeer herds. During any activity or training, hunting overrules everything else. A Mansi never minds if his Laika abandons his reindeer herd for a while, especially if his Laika finds valuable game. Mansi and Hanty use reindeer and, in some cases, horses as a draft animal, but good hunting dogs are never used to pull sleds. It would be like using a valuable dagger to chop firewood. If a sled dog is needed, they use another kind sturdy built and larger dog called in Russian "Yezdovaya Laika" or sled Laika. This is practiced mainly in polar tundra where reindeer have nothing to eat.

References

Publications in Russian

Gusev, V. Hunting with Laika. 1978. Fizkultura I Sport. Moscow. 103 pages. Dmitrieva-Sulima, M. G. 1911. Laika and Hunting with it. S.-Peterburg, republished in 2003 by AQUARIUM, Moscow, 222 pages. Ioannesyan, A. R. 1990. Materials on the Cynology of Hunting Dogs. Rosokhotrybolovsoyuz, Moscow. Shereshevsky, E. I. 1956. Pedigree work with Laikas in Experimental Kennel of commercial hunting dogs of “VNIO”, pp. 129-137. In: Rationalization of Hunting Industry. Issue 5, Zagotizdat, Moscow. Shirisnky-Shikhmatov, A. A. 1895. The Northern Dogs. Laikas. Picture Album. Vakhrushev, I. I. and M. G. Volkov. 1945. Hunting Laikas. Zagotizdat, Moscow, 59 pages. Voilochnikov, A. T. and S. D. Voilochnikova. 1982. Hunting Laikas. Lesnaya Promyshlennost. Moscow. 254 pages.

Publications in English

Beregovoy, V. H. 2005. Hunting Laika Breeds of Russia. MMP. 202 pages. Beregovoy, V. H. and J. Moore-Porter. 2001. Primitive Breeds – Perfect Dogs. Hoflin Publishing. 424 pages. Chrekassov, A. A. 2012. Notes of an East Siberian Hunter. Translated from Russian by Vladimir Beregovoy and Stephen Bodio. Authorhouse, 439 pages. Orinal publication in Russian, 1867.

Vladimir Beregovoy

How to insert pictures?
It seems I have posted the article successfully, because I have found it next day. Now, I would like to illustrate it with several pictures of my own dogs and dogs of my close friends. So far, I did not find out how it can be done. 00:58, 18 November 2013 (UTC)Ufimych (talk)Vladimir Beregovoy
 * WP:PIC has information about inserting pictures. Additionally if you want to use your own pictures you will need to upload them to either Wikipedia or Commons. I recommend commons as it allows for them to be used on other language sites. Note that pictures will need to be released under a creative commons license on either place. An upload wizard for commons is available |here. — Preceding unsigned comment added by XFEM Skier (talk • contribs) 21:07, 18 November 2013 (UTC)

Talk vs Sandbox
@Ufimych I noticed that there seems to be some confusion about exactly how Wikipedia spaces work. It seems like you have a draft of the West Siberian Laika on your talk page and a question on your sandbox. I recommend moving the draft of the article to your sandbox and then once you are happy integrate it into the current article. Wikipedia licensing requires that the history of article be kept as the license includes an attribute requirement. XFEM Skier (talk) 21:20, 18 November 2013 (UTC)

Skier, thank your for the suggestion. I have moved the article to Sandbox. It is saved there now. How to add pictures? I am satisfied with the text, but I would like to add pictures of West Siberian Laikas; puppies, males and females of differ3ent coat color approved by the breed standard. Vladimir Beregovoy


 * See the next section up for information about uploading pictures and including them in your article. XFEM Skier (talk) 20:15, 25 November 2013 (UTC)