Sapsali

Quick Take

• Koreans gave this fluffy dog a haunting nickname that has nothing to do with its surprisingly gentle personality. Discover their gentle nature →
• This breed is a grooming nightmare in one specific way, yet it is completely low-maintenance in another way most dog owners never expect. See the grooming details →
• Korean hospitals actually use this breed for a purpose that surprises most people who judge it by its loud, intimidating bark. See their therapy dog role →
• The upfront cost of a sapsali is one of its most misleading numbers, and skipping the math before you buy could end up costing you far more than you planned. Break down the yearly costs →

The sapsali also goes by the name sapsaree, which is a medium-sized dog that originated in Korea. Natives know this breed as the “ghost hunter” because they believe these dogs can ward off evil spirits. However, despite this ominous superstition, the sapsali is a good-natured and social dog. Additionally, they are very affectionate towards their loved ones.

These adorable dogs don’t have a historical purpose; they were always bred as companions, which is a role they thrive in. Furthermore, they are intelligent and easy to train, thus making them excellent therapy dogs. In fact, Korean hospitals use this breed as emotional support dogs for patients.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Sapsali

Every dog breed has pros and cons, and it’s important to know them before purchasing a canine companion. While people might be drawn to a specific breed,  they may be too active or not get along with children. The sapsali is no exception, so here are their pros and cons:

Size and Weight

This breed is medium in size; males grow 20 to 23 inches tall and weigh 40 to 62 pounds when fully grown. Female sapsalis are smaller, reaching approximately 22 inches tall and weighing about 35 to 55 pounds.

Sapsali Common Health Issues

The sapsali is considered a healthy breed, and they often live well over 10 years old. However, they are susceptible to a few health conditions, including:

Patellar Luxation

These dogs can easily dislocate their kneecaps. A sign of this injury is a few hopping steps before it resets itself. However, the knee joint might not reposition itself if the damage is severe. Furthermore, the longer they have the injury, the more likely it is to result in osteoarthritis and pain.

Dermatitis

The sapsali is prone to atopic dermatitis and other skin conditions. However, owners can limit symptoms by ensuring their pup’s coats are in excellent condition and implementing preventative measures against parasite infestations.

Hip Dysplasia

Sapsalis are susceptible to hip dysplasia, and breeders will often test them for orthopedic conditions. Sadly, this condition will cause their hind limbs to become progressively lamer as they get older. Additionally, their malformed hip joints will be plagued by inflammation, and eventually, arthritis will set in.

Congenital Eye Defects

There are several eye defects seen in sapsalis; they include:

• Cherry eye: Symptoms include an exposed bright red gland resulting from a prolapsed third eyelid.
• Entropion: Symptoms include eyelids that are abnormally folded inwards, so the eyelashes irritate the cornea.
• Distichiasis: Symptoms include an eyelash that grows inward, often scratching the cornea.

Life Expectancy

Sapsalis have a relatively long lifespan as they are healthy dogs. If cared for properly, they can live as long as 10 to 12 years.

Temperament

Sapsalis are notorious for their gentle and caring natures. However, they can be nervous around strangers and act out aggressively. But if this breed senses their owners are comfortable around the stranger, they will usually accept them too. Furthermore, sapsalis are loyal and incredibly devoted to their loved ones and might sometimes be protective. And while they are friendly dogs, their full, loud bark generally intimidates people who aren’t familiar with the breed. Although these dogs are protective, they usually love children and make fantastic family pets. However, early socialization is needed to deter any behavioral issues or aggressiveness. In addition, sapsalis generally welcome other dogs to their home.

How to Take Care of a Sapsali

Taking care of a sapsali can be a lot of work. Not because they are challenging to handle, but because of their grooming needs.

The Best Dog Food

Sapsalis always need a diet of high-quality dry dog food, ideally mixed with broth, water, or canned food. In addition, these dogs can eat cooked eggs, cottage cheese, vegetables, and fruit. However, these foods should only make up 10% of their diet.

Sapsali puppies need excellent quality puppy chow. Furthermore, feeding them human food is not good as it can cause teeth and bone problems, mineral and vitamin imbalances, and may cause your pup to become a picky eater or obese.

Grooming

Unfortunately, this breed has a particularly thick, double-layered coat that needs more grooming than most other breeds. While they don’t require regular bathing (only a few times a year), they do need daily brushing to keep their thick coats from tangling and matting. However, a quick brush won’t do the trick. Owners must spend some time combing out their coats because the outer layer can hide tangles or mats in the undercoat. Unfortunately, if these dogs aren’t appropriately groomed, their matted fur can cause skin damage and even infection. Also, great care should be taken of their hanging ears because if they accumulate too much moisture, it can cause ear infections.

Their teeth and nails need attention, too. Owners need to use dog-friendly toothpaste to clean their sapsali’s teeth at least three times a week, and their nails need trimming every three months or so, when they touch the floor.

Training

The sapsali is a highly intelligent breed and a quick learner, making them super easy to train. Additionally, they are incredibly devoted to their owners and want to please their loved ones by performing any task asked of them. Furthermore, the best way to train these dogs is by positive reinforcement and non-confrontational methods, as they respond best to treats and praise. Lastly, they are adaptable dogs and do well in most homes, and they are perfect for first-time owners.

Exercise

While sapsalis are not as active as some other working breeds, they do still require a good amount of exercise. Breeders recommend at least 45 to 60 minutes of strenuous exercise daily. Additionally, sapsalis will also need mental stimulation because they are so bright. Therefore, these dogs will likely develop negative behaviors if they don’t receive the attention they deserve.

This breed is the perfect candidate for agility training, canine freestyle dance, or advanced obedience training, which are great outlets for their energy needs. While sapsalis aren’t considered the best apartment dogs, people can keep them in smaller homes without a yard if they have a busy daily schedule. However, they are happiest in a large house with lots of outdoor space.

Puppies

Female sapsalis usually have litters of four to seven puppies. These pups need socialization and training almost immediately if you want to avoid nervous behavior around strangers. Additionally, it will help them become well-adjusted adults.

Sapsali and Children

The sapsali is amazing with children and other pets if they grow up with them. However, they are powerful dogs and can be boisterous sometimes, so children should always be supervised around them. But if sapsalis are socialized properly, they are loving, calm, and gentle, to the extent that Koreans use them as therapy dogs in their hospitals. For example, a little boy who had been bullied and beaten up was comforted by this empathetic canine while he was healing.

Cost

Depending on the breeder, location, and pedigree, this breed’s price will differ. However, these adorable dogs generally cost between $300 to $500. But if you are purchasing a sapsali with a better bloodline, the cost will soar. Furthermore, breeders sometimes pre-train them for an additional fee.

Cost Per Year

Before going out and buying a sapsali, owners need to understand how much it costs to keep them alive, happy, and healthy. The initial purchase price is nothing compared to how much you will spend on them in the long run. For example, yearly expenses can include the following:

• Veterinarian care
• Food
• Shots
• Medication
• Toys
• Pet supplies like brushes, shampoo, clippers, etc
• Pet Insurance

On average, the annual cost for the upkeep of a Sapsali is now estimated to be at least $1,200, reflecting recent increases in pet care expenses.

Dogs similar to the Sapsali

If you want a sapsali but don’t have access to a breeder, two other breeds are similar in size and personality. They include:

Australian Eskimo

The Australian Eskimo is a hybrid mix of the Australian shepherd and the American Eskimo dog. These dogs are primarily white with black or brown spotted or speckled markings. This breed has wavy fur; also, their hair can be relatively wiry, so frequent grooming is required to keep their coats in tip-top shape. In addition, they are moderate shedders.

These adorable pups get their herding instincts from their Australian shepherd genes, although their affectionate and playful nature makes them fantastic companions. But, if you are looking for a watchdog, Australian Eskimos are not the best choice because they barely bark. Furthermore, they are great with kids and other pets. However, they have an independent streak, so training might be tricky and require some patience.

Austrian Black and Tan Hound

The Austrian black and tan hound is notorious for its incredible sense of smell and stamina. They can run for miles if you let them, as if they never tire. Therefore, they are not a suitable breed for apartment living. Additionally, these hounds will not do well in homes where the owners work all the time because they need a lot of daily exercise.

These dogs are black and tan in color, as their name suggests, and they are medium-sized dogs. People often mistake the Austrian black and tan hound for the similarly named black and tan coonhound. This breed weighs around 35 to 60 pounds, and males can reach heights of 20 to 22 inches. Female Austrian black and tan hounds are slightly smaller and measure around 19 to 21 inches.

Austrian black and tan hounds are very vocal and happy dogs, but they do get nervous around strangers. Luckily, they are not aggressive dogs and make fantastic companions for children.