Sakhalin Husky vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison

Known also as the Karafuto-Ken, the Sakhalin Husky is a dog that has been used as a sled dog, but which is now almost extinct.

Hailing from Japan, it is believed that in 2011, there were only two surviving members of the breed in Japan. There isn’t much history on these dogs, but we do know that it is an old breed. They've been used by explorers to the South Pole. One such explorer was Robert Falcon Scott.

They’re extremely tough dogs, known for enduring in the snow under extreme conditions. The dog breed isn’t recognized as a standardized breed by any of the major kennel clubs.

The popular Jack Russell Terrier was developed in Devonshire in the south of England in the late 1800's so as to hunt foxes.

Often believed to be the Parson Russell Terrier, the Jack Russell Terrier was developed by Parson John Russell. This is where the dog gets his breed name from. Some people get the Jack Russell Terrier a little bit mixed up with the Parson Russell terrier, when it fact its actually a different breed, but sharing a common ancestry.

The Jack Russell Terrier is smaller than the Parson and bigger than the Russell Terrier. The breed became known in the U.S. by the 1930s and the Jack Russell Terrier Association of America wanted recognition by the American Kennel Club, which was granted in 2000.

This is a medium sized dog standing at between 56 and 66cm in height and weighing between 30 and 40kg. His coat is thick and can be in a number of colours such as brown, tan, cream, grey or black. The ears are small and pointed and slightly tilted forwards. The tail is long and sometimes curls over the back while at other times it is held straight or down.

Temperament:

These dogs are known for their loyalty, affection and bravery. The dog is highly intelligent and will respond well to training and socialization.

It's a rare dog breed, calm and confident. A perfect example of their amazing characteristics is seen in the film ‘Eight Below’ where these wonderful dogs were left behind on a scientific expedition that went wrong.

The dogs had to struggle for survival in the frozen wilderness. The Sakhalin Husky just wants to please, and is alert and intelligent, doing well in a family where there are children.

Statues have been erected to honor these Sakhalin Huskies who died on some of these ill-fated expeditions.

These dogs are totally devoted to their owners and they’re full of confidence, they’ve got immense strength and they need a lot of physical stimulation every day.

The Jack Russell Terrier is a small dog that weighs between 6 and 8kg and stands at between 25 – 38cm. The body length of the dog should be in proportion to the height.

He is essentially a white dog with orange or fawn colored patches. The coat is mostly smooth and short, but the coat can also be longer and rough or it can be broken which is a combination of rough and smooth. Regardless of coat type, they are dense, double coats which will require brushing at least twice a week to remove loose hairs. He may also be tri-colored such as being white with black and tan patches.

He has alert, bright dark brown eyes and ears which are somewhat erect and which flop over at the tips. The tail has always been traditionally docked, giving him an attractive, compact look about him but unfortunately the tail is often left long on the dog these days.

Temperament:

Your Jack Russell Terrier is a lively, tenacious, bold, fearless, feisty, cheeky, confident, independent, intelligent and full of life dog. He is super energetic and exuberant, spirited and full of personality.

There are some dog owners who are exhausted by him and would prefer a more quieter dog breed as their companion. Nonetheless he has some excellent characteristics such as being a totally devoted and loving dog.

It is why it is a good idea to have him trained and socialized as it calms him down and makes him more obedient. He is very intelligent and training him will be easy.

When you bring these dogs into your home, you’re bringing in lots of excellent characteristics.

He is loyal, affectionate and smart. With his above average intelligence, you can easily train him. He is also a playful breed and the kids will enjoy him as a good playmate.

They’re gentle dogs too and will do well in a home where people are fair, patient, kind and consistent with their handling of him. Known to be an excellent therapy dog, having this dog in your home will enhance your quality of life.

With loads of vibrant personality, the energetic Jack Russell Terrier has got so many wonderful characteristics to his name – devotion, intelligence, charming, lively, playful and he is an entertainer – you’ll always be laughing a him.

You do need to pay him attention – you can’t just plonk him in your backyard and forget about him. He wants your love and attention and ignoring him can lead to problem behavior such as obsessive barking.

Give your Jack Russell Terrier all the love and care he needs, and you’ll have an exceptional pet and friend.

The brave Sakhalin Husky can live to be between 12 and 14 years of age but these dogs can succumb to quite a few of the common dog diseases there are -

Corneal Dystrophy:

This is a hereditary disease of the cornea. You’ll see small white dots in his cornea and the dog can experience hazy vision.

Hip Dysplasia:

This problem with the hips can be debilitating for your sled dog, and both hips can be affected. It can be painful for your dog as arthritis sets in. It is important to see that your dogs don’t put on weight as this puts pressure on the joints. Your dog will need to see the vet, and surgery might be a treatment option.

Follicular Dysplasia:

This is a condition that affects Huskies between 3 and 4 months of age and can result in hair loss or problems with the skin. It is actually fairly rare in dogs and diagnosed by microscopic examination of the hair shaft. You will need to get your pet to the vet because it can lead to alopecia.

This particular dog breed has a reputation for being healthy and living to a good age such as 16 or 17 years of age. Of course he needs to be given proper care to reach such a good age.

Some common dog disorders you might want to be aware of are -

Eye disorders:

Lens luxation is actually a common hereditary disorder in these dogs, but even so, with good care, your dog isn’t likely to battle with it. What happens is that the lens in the eye becomes displaced. There are two types, with Posterior luxation being the lesser severe one.Treatment is available.

Musculoskeletal conditions:

Patellar luxation is an hereditary disorder affecting the knees of the dog. The kneecap slips off the groove where it sits and you may notice your dog running while holding his hind leg in the air. It can sometimes slip back in place and then you see your dog running in his usual way. It becomes more serious when it affects both legs.

Diet:

Feed your Sakhalin Husky a commercially manufactured dog formula that caters to his energy and digestive needs.

Choose high-quality dog food with natural ingredients. Try and include some home-made food into your dogs diet. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach will do him wonders and you can chop it up and add some into the dry kibble as a treat twice a week.

Some raw meat occasionally is also important to prevent skin problems. Be sure that cool, fresh water is available for your pet at all times.

Exercise:

This will require regular exercise. Walks are always good, but he will require something more hectic such as long hikes and frisbee or ball throwing games.

Grooming:

A Husky’s dense double-coat must be brushed at least twice a week as he is a fairly heavy shedder.

His nails grow quickly and these will need to be trimmed. Even though he has erect ears, you will need to check inside for cleanliness to avoid canine ear infections.

Check inside his mouth as well for bad teeth as these can have a detrimental affect on his health

Exercise:

The Jack Russell Terrier isn’t just a small dog that can be left to his own devices. He will need proper training and socialization early in life to make him obedient and better to get on with.

He may be a small dog, but he certainly won’t do in the city where he is cooped up in a place with a handkerchief of a garden. He needs lots of space to run and play. He wants his human family to join in with walks, hikes, ball games and swimming.

Diet:

You can buy excellent commercially manufactured dog food which caters for energetic small dog breeds like the Jack Russell Terrier.

Once you have selected the best one for your pet, with dry kibble being better in terms of dental health - you can also add in some brown rice, vegetables and cooked chicken. This is highly beneficial to all dog breeds. A little bit of raw meat can sometimes be added in too.

The bottom line is to to prevent your pet from eating foods high in preservatives, additives and fillers. Never leave your pet without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.