The west siberian laika has developed from a very large area in Russia. The people in this area has long been renowned for their excellent dogs. Interestingly, these dogs were for a short time exported to northern Sweden, where a few dogs formed the basis for a new, fawn-coloured breed of moosedog.
The west siberian laika is the laika breed that has gotten the furthest in terms of homogenous conformation, and it is also the most common, not just in its country of origin. The laikas were once called 'squirrel dogs', possibly because it was once the only food many a poor hunter could afford feeding their dogs.

The west siberian laika should be strong and powerful, with high withers and sloping back. The breed should be of unmistakable spitz type with a wedge-shaped head, pointed ears and deep chest. The tail is curled or curved over the back. The bred is known to be lively and rather sharp, a born hunter.