The Russian-European Laika is a medium-sized, robust spitz-type dog bred for hunting. It has a thick, dense coat, erect ears, and a bushy tail. This breed is known for its intelligence, agility, and strong hunting instincts, particularly for game birds and small mammals in forested regions.

The Russian-European Laika is native to the northern regions of Europe and Russia. It is primarily found in areas that are part of the taiga and boreal forests, notably in the regions of northern Russia, Finland, and parts of Scandinavia.

The Russian-European Laika thrives in cold, harsh climates typical of the taiga biome. This includes long, severe winters with heavy snowfall and short, mild summers. The region is characterized by coniferous forests dominated by species such as spruce, pine, and fir.

As a hunting dog, the Russian-European Laika is adapted to forested environments where it primarily hunts small game such as squirrels, birds, and occasionally larger prey like wild boar. Its keen sense of smell and endurance make it well-suited to this ecological niche, allowing it to track and retrieve game in dense forest areas.