Sapsali is originated from North Korea but Guejae Gae is originated from South Korea. Both Sapsali and Guejae Gae are having almost same height. Both Sapsali and Guejae Gae are of same weight. Both Sapsali and Guejae Gae has almost same life span. Both Sapsali and Guejae Gae has almost same litter size. Both Sapsali and Guejae Gae requires Moderate maintenance.
Early documentation of this dog tells us that it has been around for centuries and is therefore an ancient breed.
The Sapsali is a dog that comes from Korea and is also known as the Lion Dog, Sapsaree and Sapsal Gae. It is believed that these dogs were used to dispel evil spirits or ghosts.
The dog was given the status as National Treasure by the Korean Government in 1992 and is recognized by a number of local Korean dog societies. The dog isn’t however recognized by any of the major kennel clubs, but is affiliated with the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
When Korea was under Japanese rule, the dogs were slaughtered to make coats for its military and almost became extinct. Kennels were set up and the dog was revived again in the 1980s.
Known also as Gaulchae Gae, the Guejae Gae hails from Korea, and falls in the Spitz dog category. The dog is related to the Korean Jindo dog but is slightly larger.
With his sharp canine teeth, the Guejae has been used for hunting and herding, having enough stamina to not easily give up on its prey. The dog isn’t AKC recognized.
The Sapsali is a medium sized sheepdog standing at between 48 and 60cm in height and weighing between 16 and 27kg. He is a strong looking dog with the coat being long and dense and coming in quite a few color varieties. The coat can be solid in color but it can also be a mixture of blonde, reddish, brown and black. The hair of the dog also falls over the eyes.
The dog has large eyes, the ears are also fairly large and the tail is long and held straight or down.
The dog is friendly, social and playful and also loving and loyal towards his human family. He is protective too and makes a good watchdog, but is never aggressive.
He gets on well with children as well as with other dogs. Training and socialization ensure obedience and good behavior and with a desire to please.
They’re intelligent dogs and training is easy. They’re gentle dogs too and this has made them a popular choice for therapy dogs. Their loving natures have been welcomed by patients suffering with trauma and the dog connects strongly with these people.
When back home he wants to be included in all the family activities. He is quite energetic and will require exercise every day – walks, hikes, frisbee, ball and rope games as well as more hectic hikes. He makes a good choice for the first time dog owner but is better suited to life in the suburbs or the countryside as opposed to being on a small property in the city.
This is a medium sized dog, standing at roughly 40cm to 58cm and weighing about 16 to 27kg, and because he falls into the Spitz dog category, you’ll find them with the characteristic pointed ears and thick fur.
He can be in a number of colors such as fawn, brown, white, grey or black. The tail curls up over the back too and the dog has a resemblance to the wolf. You can see he is intelligent as has he has bright, alert eyes.
These dogs aren't aggressive and they are known to be gentle dogs who are devoted and loyal to their owners.
He is an active, intelligent, social dog who wants ongoing interaction with his human family. He should never be left alone in the back yard day after day as he becomes lonely and bored. This is terrible to do for any dog breed, but the Guejae Gae won't thrive in a family who doesn't make him 100% part of the family.
He should be allowed indoors with his owner as he is a highly social dog who loves being around his human family, forming deep bonds with them.
His superb intelligence allows him to learn new commands and tricks easily, and this is why he responds well to training and socialization. He makes a great pet for active owners and gets on well with children in the home as well as pets. Because he is somewhat reserved around strangers, he makes a good watchdog too.
The beautiful Sapsali is a friendly, loving dog breed who is just a little bit wary around strangers.
If he senses his master is alright around strangers, he will accept them too.
He is both protector and guard dog and gets on well with all members of the household. Apart from the long coat which can be a bit of a handful, this dog ticks all the right boxes in terms of being a most splendid family pet.
Intelligent, playful, faithful and loving, your Guejae Gae is going to make you a splendid pet – good with other pets in the home as well as with children.
They are good natured pets and easy to train too, so that when he has been trained and socialized, he becomes an even more amicable pet.
Just remember though that these dogs have been used as working dogs and to ensure your Guejae Gae makes you a splendid pet, you want to ensure he has enough exercise to keep him happy and healthy.
The Sapsali can live to be between 10 and 12 years of age, being a healthy breed. Like all purebreds, the dog will experience some health concerns, among which are heart disease, obesity, bloat, hip dysplasia and skin problems among others.
Dogs get heart disease just like human beings. The most common form of heart disease in dogs is valvular disease. Essentially it affects small breed dogs. Heartworm disease and dilated cardiomyopathy are also common forms of heart disease.
Sometimes there are symptoms and sometimes there aren’t, but as heart disease progresses it turns to congestive heart failure – the heart not being able to meet the body’s demands. Signs of this can be fatigue, difficulty with breathing, loss of appetite and weight loss, coughing and a distended abdomen.
If you see these signs, your pet will need to get to the vet. There is no cure for congestive heart failure but there are medications which can help the heart work better.
There are always common dog illnesses to watch out for however, and in this spitz-type dog, hypothyroidism is one.
Hypothyroidism in dogs is usually brought on by inflammation of the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism occurs more often in medium to large dogs as opposed to smaller breeds. The most common signs of low thyroid function in your pet will be loss of fur and excess shedding, weight gain and an inability to tolerate the cold.
Hypothyroid dogs often battle with ear infections as well as skin infections. There are a number of blood tests to confirm a suspected diagnosis of hypothyroidism in your dog.
The Sapsali is covered in thick, long hair and the coat is going to require a lot of attention. It will be better to give the coat a brush every day as the coat can become very matted and tangled. The dog is also a heavy shedder so a regular brush will help to get rid of all that loose hair.
The Sapsali will need to have his ears, eyes and teeth regularly checked to ensure they are clear of any infection and to prevent any illnesses. A bad tooth can create many health issues throughout the dog’s body.
You can enhance your dog’s health by giving him good food. Commercially manufactured dog foods can be a good, convenient choice, more so if you choose the high quality ones known for their natural, quality ingredients.
To provide your dog with just a bit of variety in his diet, some home-made food added into the dry kibble from time to time will delight your pet. No need to make preparing the food a huge issue either. Boil brown rice and chicken in a pot and add in sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach.
Chop all this up and as a treat, add smaller portions of it into the dry kibble when you want to treat your dog. To avoid skin infections, try to include some raw meat into his diet occasionally. Never leave your pet without a constant source of fresh, cool water
He sheds quite a bit and more so in hot weather so he will need to be thoroughly brushed twice a week.
The Guejae Gae is an active dog breed that needs plenty of place to roam freely, and therefore he is a dog breed that will suit life in the country far better than life in the city.
You will need a decent sized yard for him and you should also be prepared to take him on walks and play ball games with him. He is such a social dog and playing with him is something that will strengthen your bond.
As a Spitz type dog, the Guejae Gae has always enjoyed a carnivorous diet. Cheap, poor quality commercially manufactured dog food won’t cut it for these dogs. Home cooked meals with natural ingredients such as chicken, brown rice and vegetables is a good choice as well as adding in some raw meat from time to time.
Always remember when feeding your Guejae Gae that how much your dog eats will depend on his size, age and activity levels. A highly active dog like the Guejae Gae needs wholesome food as well as a constant supply of fresh, cool water.