Kamchatka Sled Dog
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| Kamchatka Sled Dog | |||||||||
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| Other names | Kamchatka Husky, Kamchatka Sled Laika, Koryak Dog | ||||||||
| Origin | Russia | ||||||||
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| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||
The Kamchatka Sled Dog (Russian: Камчатская ездовая собака, romanized: Kamcheatskaya ezdovaya sobaka, lit. 'Kamchatka riding dog') is a rare landrace of sled laika developed by the Itelmen and Koryak people of Kamchatka, Russia.[1][2][3] There are currently efforts underway to revive the breed.[4] A standard for the Kamchatka Sled Dog was approved by the Russian Federation of Service Dog Breeding in February of 1992.[2]
Kamchatka Sled Dogs are large, hardy, cold tolerant dogs with a thick double coat capable of withstanding high winds and extreme temperatures.[2][5] The dog has a strong, elongated frame with long legs capable of pulling heavy loads with minimal care over long distances in deep snow.[2][5] Color is most often black, dark or light grey, with prick ears and oblique yellow, brown or blue eyes.[2] Dogs should display sexual dimorphism.[2]
Kamchatka Sled Dogs are loyal and intelligent dogs who are friendly to people.[2] They generally do not bark and are too friendly to be used as guard dogs.[5] Like other sled dogs, they are capable of navigating trail despite blizzard conditions. [2] Traditionally, Kamchatka Sled Dogs are fed salmon, often every other day.[2][5] This may be supplemented by human food scraps, seal blubber or store-bought dog food.[5] The dogs have a high prey drive and are noted to attack reindeer, a staple livestock of the region.[5]
A standard was established in 1992; however, due to length of the Kamchatka peninsula, there is significant variation along the peninsula.[2] Many populations of Kamchatka sled dogs are still maintained as a landrace using traditional methods including the occasional outcrossing to produce wolfdogs.[2]
