Sapsali breed: national treasure of Korea

The Sapsali is a medium-sized, long-haired dog breed originating from Korea. The breed is also known as a Ghost or Hunter Dog because it was once believed to ward off evil spirits. Despite the somewhat frightening superstition, the Sapsali is a good-natured, very sociable dog.

History of Sapsali

According to the first documents variety also known as Sapsaree at least from the 1st century AD. 400 BC has been part of Korean history. They were also recorded as symbolic soldiers and royal favourites. Later, these charming and devoted dogs became available not only to royalty but also to citizens, and were very popular with the general population until World War I.

During the Japanese colonial rule, Sapsalis were collected and slaughtered to make coats for the invading soldiers. It is reported that more than 100 000 dogs were killed each year during this period, and the population was further reduced by the poverty that plagued the country.

Recognising that the breed was on the brink of extinction, in 1969, professors at Kyungpook University in South Korea began to study the population. They found around 30 dogs, a number that had fallen to just 8 by 1985.

Ha Ji-Hong did everything he could to save the breed: he put all his money, land and knowledge into the project. In order to succeed, Ha Ji-Hong followed a carefully planned breeding programme, which resulted in a population of 500 dogs in about 5 years. The breed was declared a national treasure of Korea in 1992. Today, there are about 3,000 individuals registered with the Korean Sapsal Association.

 

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Breed standard

Sapsaliki are medium-sized with a strong upper body. The male is 50-60 cm tall and weighs between 18-27 kg. Smaller female is 48-58 cm tall and weighs 16-25 kg. The dog’s body is slightly longer than its height. A distinctive feature is the unique size and shape of the paw, which is often referred to as the lion’s paw. Their paws, which are surprisingly large for their body, are not only remarkable for their size; they have particularly thick and hard pads, which make it easier for them to cover long distances over difficult terrain.

Sapsalis have a large, rounded skull. The abundant facial hair can make the snout appear shorter in reality. They also have medium-length ears that are furry and usually lean forward. Their large, round eyes can be almost any shade of brown, but are usually obscured by their ‘coat’. They have a muscular body with a straight back, strong limbs and a thickly fur-covered tail, which they hold slightly bent over their body. The breed’s long, dense coat can be straight or wavy and comes in a variety of colours, including brown, yellow, grey and red.

Character

The Sapsali has a very loyal and protective nature, loving and affectionate with its owner and family. Although he can be a little shy with new people, he quickly accepts those who are accepted by his family and quickly becomes friendly. Very intelligent and appropriate early socialisation can be friendly with other animals as long as they are not a threat. Sapsals are keen learners and, as it is important for them to meet human expectations. They are ideal first pets for novice owners.

 

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They are particularly suited to therapeutic work because they are naturally gentle and well behaved, and very accepting and open to expressing their emotions. Although the breed is generally very well behaved and affectionate, they also have a strong protective disposition. It is extremely rare for the Sapsali to start a fight, but it does not back down when threatened; it usually reacts firmly and without mercy.

Ideal environment

The sapsali is not particularly active, but it needs at least forty-five minutes of intense exercise a day, lasting an hour. Because of its intelligence, it also requires constant mental stimulation – without this, destructive behaviour can develop. Extra movement and attention can help them adapt smaller homes but are generally much happier in a larger home with a securely fenced garden.

Care

The breed has a particularly thick, double-layered coat, which requires more grooming. While bathing is only necessary a few times a day. Daily combing is recommended as the long hair of the Sapsali sheds heavily and tends to tangle. It is important to take time to groom the coat, as the long outer coat can cover up tangles in the undercoat, which can lead to skin problems and even infections. It is also important to pay attention to the Sapsali’s droopy ears. Regular cleaning is recommended to avoid ear problems.

Common health problems

Although generally considered a healthy dog that can live for more than twenty years, some health problems do occur in the breed:

• hip dysplasia;
• knee dislocation;
• cherry eye;
• entropion (abnormal positioning of the eyelids, which causes the eyelashes to irritate the cornea);
• distichiasis (eyelashes growing from the eyelid in the wrong place);
• atopic dermatitis.