sevendogs

This is a mistake often repeated in the literature about dogs of Russia. There are Laika breeds, particularly hunting Laikas. The dog sent in space was just a mongrel, a mix of unknown origin and raised for experimental purposes. It just happened that it was named "Laika". "Laika" is a popular name given by Russians to puppies or adult dogs picked up on streets and adopted in families. In Russia, it is often applied to dogs of unknown origin. At the same time, Laika is name of purebreds, such as West Siberian Laika, East Siberian Laika and Russo-European Laika. Recently, Reindeer Herding Laika became a purebred. "Laika" sent in space was a mongrel with name "Laika". It was smallish and had nothing to do with purebred Laikas.