Nenets Herding Laika vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison

Nenets Herding Laika vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed ComparisonNenets Herding Laika is originated from Russia but Austrailian Blue Heeler is originated from Australia. Nenets Herding Laika may grow 8 cm / 4 inches higher than Austrailian Blue Heeler. Nenets Herding Laika may weigh 13 kg / 29 pounds more than Austrailian Blue Heeler. Nenets Herding Laika may live 3 years less than Austrailian Blue Heeler. Both Nenets Herding Laika and Austrailian Blue Heeler has same litter size. Both Nenets Herding Laika and Austrailian Blue Heeler requires High maintenance.

History

nenets herding laika - historyThere is a large variety of Laika dogs as the word is almost a generic term for a type of Russian hunting dog. They are found in Northern Russia and Siberia and there are several recognized by the Federation Cynologique International including the East Siberian Laika, the Russian European Laika, and the West Siberian Laika. These Siberia Laika are crosses between the aboriginal dogs of Siberia and northern Russia. The word Laika means a barking dog and comes from the word meaning to bark. These laikas are working dogs, hunting pointers that were bred specifically for their barks.

All the dogs in this category are loyal and affectionate. They are hard workers and hunters/herders and sled dogs. Of the official Laika groups including the Nenets Herding Laika, there is the Karelo-Finnish Laika, the Northeasterly Siberian Laika, the West Siberian Laika, The Russian European Laika, Eastern Siberian Laika. The Laika are wary of strangers, noisy and rowdy.

Nenets Herding Laika

The Laika breed known as the Nenets Herding Laika is also called the Reindeer Herding Laika. The breed is pretty ancient, developed by the Nentry tribe at about the same time that the nomads were developing the Samoyed. Like the Samoyed breed, the Nenets Herding Laika herded Reindeer. The artic breed originates from Russia and can be used for transportation and hauling as well.

While their temperament and history are very much the same as the Samoyed, they are recognized as separate breeds. However there are many aficionados of both breeds believe that the Samoyed and the Nenets Herding Laika are the same breed. For many the Samoyed are simply a white version of the Nenets Herding Laika.

The Nenets Herding Laika is also know as the Samoyed Laika, so you can see how close if not the same, these two breeds are. The Nenets Herding Laika was bred by the Nenet peoples. The Samoyed is all white while the Nenets is any variation of black, gray, piebald, red, white, sable and brown.

The dogs herd and guard reindeer, keeping the herd together and moving them from one pasture to another. They will also stay with a stray reindeer until they are found. They will do this whether they have food or water. They will bark to try to bring the people’s attention to the lost reindeer. They are also an excellent hunting and retrieving, swimming dog.

The Nenets are also known as Yurak Samoyeds and they are the largest group of Samoyedic peoples today. They live on both sides of Russian Ural Mountains in northern Russia and the Yamal Peninsula. They move large herds of reindeer to the winter lands south of the Artic Circle from the north – about 600-900 miles. It is believed that the Herding Laika originated with this group of people but spread beyond them. They were shipped to far northeast Siberia to be bred and shared with reindeer herding tribes there.

There is a longhaired or rough coated variety and a shorthaired variety. The Nenets consider the work routine of both varieties the same, but they believed that the shorthaired version was a more ancient than the longhaired version.

austrailian blue heeler - historyIn 1840, George Elliott made a match with Australian Dingo and Collie and got a clever and very active dog breed – Australian Blue Heeler. Soon, he showed his good herding instincts and protective nature and got really popular among the cattlemen and ranchers. Soon, as the USA soldiers arrived in Australia, they decided that it will be a great dog to bring home.

Australian Blue Heeler has short, double coat. The coat is water resistant and helps them when the temperature is too high as well. Their coat is rough to the touch, naturally. They can be found in blue or red coat colour mix. The Blue Heeler isn’t actually blue, but their black coat has a bluish tint. Red Heelers have red fur instead of black. They have long tails, strong legs, Dingo-like heads with pointy ears and muscular necks and balanced and athletic bodies.

Description

nenets herding laika puppy - descriptionThis is a medium sized dog , muscular and strong. Slightly smaller than the Samoyed, the Nenets Laika weighs about 40-55 pounds and is 18 inches tall. The ears are typical Spitz ears and the tail is carried up over the back. The Nenets Herding Laika can have gray, piebald, black or tan coats and some can be solid white and look just like a Samoyed. The coat is a thick, double coat with the undercoat very wooly.

austrailian blue heeler puppy - descriptionThis breed is somehow designed for an outdoor life and outdoor activity. This implies that Blue Heelers have nature made of the high dose of energy. They are always ready to go anywhere you go, and they will be a loyal friend. They are actually very clever, intelligent and ready to help.

If you are a type of the person who prefers being indoors and having minimal physical activity, Blue heelers are not the type of a furry companion for you. They have a high daily need for the activity, and they love having lots of space to run and explore. Sometimes, you will realize that having a leash is a must because they will get so playful that they will forget about you!

If you start teaching them to be friendly with other dogs while they are still pups, they will accept that kind of lifestyle. But, if your Blue Heeler is raised as the only dog on the ranch, note that they won’t be very friendly toward other dogs.

Since most of the herd dogs usually respond to only one person, most of the Blue Heelers can follow this old instinct. They can be very independent, as well, and they are usually not the type of the dog that will always be around your leg waiting for a cuddle or ear scratch. But, they build the respect towards humans depending on how they treat him so they can be very lovable and friendly pets.

If you are still confused about their name, you must know that the Blue Heelers can actually lightly nip your heel for attention. They are not aggressive, but they tend to be very protective of the family, humans around them and their property.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

nenets herding laika dog - characteristicsyes

Special talents

mushing

Adaptability

Adaptability not good in apartments or smaller spaces. Needs a fenced in yard.

Learning ability

High but stubborn and independent

Children friendliness

austrailian blue heeler dog - characteristicsThey are generally good with children, but you must be aware of their inherent desire to herd. Always supervise when your Blue Heeler is around small children.

Special Talents

Ball tricks, frisbee fun, running companion, herding cattle.

Adaptability

It is best to buy a puppy. These dogs get attached to one human and to the territory.

Learning ability

They are generally quick learners. If you teach them to be playful, friendly and loving, they will learn it in no time. So be aware of the decisions that can cost you when the dog grows up.

Health Problems

nenets herding laika puppies - health problemsFor the most part the Nenets Herding Laika is a healthy breed and very hardy. They do however have some propensities for some illnesses and conditions.

Diabetes Mellitus – can be treated with medication and is usual seen in middle age -after 7 years of age.

PRA – Progressive Retinal Atrophy – Slow loss of vision and this is a genetic disease – leads to blindness.

  • Hip Dysplasia – can lead to lameness or arthritis.
  • Skin diseases are possible – autoimmune disease the is idiopathic.

Eye problems

austrailian blue heeler puppies - health problemsProgressive Retinal Atrophy usually causes slow and painless loss of sight. This process takes years, but there are cases where this disease took only months before the dog ended up completely blind. It is advisable to take your Blue Heeler to the vet for a test that can tell you if your dog is carrying the gene for this disease.

Lens luxation is a disease where the lens of dog’s eye separates partially or completely. Good news is that this disease can be treated.

Joint diseases

Most common is the hip or elbow dysplasia. This is the disease where hip joints do not develop properly and begin to grind. This condition can sometimes be treated with physiotherapy, but there is a chance that your Blue Heeler will need a surgery. If you have a habit of regular vet checks and keeping your dog slim and fed with quality food, you can a make a big difference.

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) causes the dog to have excess cartilage and deficient bone, where cartilage does not get replaced by bone during fetal development. This disease usually requires surgery and prescribed medicines.

Deafness

Congenital hereditary sensorineural deafness – CHSD is a common form of deafness.

Bilateral deafness can be identified when the dog is still a puppy, more-less at six weeks of age. A puppy with deafness in only one ear is harder to identify, but it can happen.

Portosystemic shunt means that the blood flow is getting back into the bloodstream instead of passing through the liver. That means that liver can’t clear out the toxins, and the organ itself fails to grow properly. This inherited type of shunt can be treated with surgery if the diagnose is set on time.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

nenets herding laika dogs - caringBe careful that your pup doesn’t grow too fast. They are open to injuries if they grow too fast. Low calorie with protein and not a lot of fat. half a cup of high quality medium breed dog food 3X a day.

Feeding the adult

1 1/2 cups high quality medium breed dog food.

Points for Good Health

athletic and agile

Games and Exercises

At leaset a walk or two every day. Don’t get overheated as they are used to cold weather. Would be good at agility and herding exercise.

Feeding the puppy

austrailian blue heeler dogs - caringChoose a dog food that will provide nutrients that will help in the bone developing. Since they are more likely to suffer from joint diseases, you must take this advice seriously. It would be great if you speak about this with your vet before you choose food on your own.

Feeding the adult

The best food for Blue Heeler is a high-quality food which supplies them with premium nutrition to fuel their activity.

They also drink a lot of water, so be sure that they always have a fresh water available.

Points for Good Health

Lots and lots of the outdoor activity and a quality food. You must be very cautious because this kind of dogs gets overweight easily because they just love the treats and extra food portion.

Games and Exercises

Any outdoor activity that is mentally challenging and interesting enough to keep them from running in the field trying to catch anything that moves.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Herding dogs
Origin:
Russia
Australia
Height Male:
48 - 58 cm
18 - 23 inches
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
Height Female:
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 29 kg
35 - 64 pounds
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
Weight Female:
13 - 22 kg
28 - 49 pounds
12 - 14 kg
26 - 31 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 13 Years
12 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 7
1 - 7
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Nenets Laika or Reindeer Herding Laika, Samoyed Laika
Queensland Heeler
Colors Available:
grey, black or white , tan
blue, red
Coat:
The harsh outer coat is straight, and the abundant woolly undercoat
blue speckled or red speckled with dark or cream marks
Shedding:
Seasonal
Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Stubborn
Alert, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
High maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Nenets Herding Laika vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  2. Nenets Herding Laika vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Nenets Herding Laika vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  4. Nenets Herding Laika vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Nenets Herding Laika vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  6. Nenets Herding Laika vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  7. Nenets Herding Laika vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  8. Nenets Herding Laika vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  9. Nenets Herding Laika vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  10. Nenets Herding Laika vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  11. Nenets Herding Laika vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  12. Nenets Herding Laika vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  13. Nenets Herding Laika vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  14. Nenets Herding Laika vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  15. Nenets Herding Laika vs Pyrenean Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  16. Nenets Herding Laika vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  17. Nenets Herding Laika vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  18. Nenets Herding Laika vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  19. Nenets Herding Laika vs Queensland Heeler - Breed Comparison
  20. Nenets Herding Laika vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  21. Nenets Herding Laika vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  22. Nenets Herding Laika vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  23. Nenets Herding Laika vs Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  24. Nenets Herding Laika vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  25. Nenets Herding Laika vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  27. Australian Shepherd vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  28. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  29. Australian Cattle Dog vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  30. Bearded Collie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  31. Collie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  32. Dutch Shepherd vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  33. Blue Healer vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  34. English Shepherd vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  35. Australian Collie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  36. Catahoula Cur vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  37. Australian Red Heeler vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  38. Catalan Sheepdog vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  39. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  40. Bergamasco vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  41. Berger Picard vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  42. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  43. Queensland Heeler vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  44. German Coolie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  45. Bohemian Shepherd vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  46. Croatian Sheepdog vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  47. Red Heeler vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  48. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  49. Blue Lacy vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  50. New Zealand Huntaway vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds