Sapsali vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Sapsali vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed ComparisonSapsali is originated from North Korea but Himalayan Sheepdog is originated from India. Sapsali may grow 11 cm / 4 inches shorter than Himalayan Sheepdog. Sapsali may weigh 18 kg / 39 pounds lesser than Himalayan Sheepdog. Both Sapsali and Himalayan Sheepdog has almost same life span. Sapsali may have less litter size than Himalayan Sheepdog. Sapsali requires Moderate maintenance. But Himalayan Sheepdog requires High maintenance

History

sapsali - historyEarly 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.

himalayan sheepdog - historyThe Himalayan Sheepdog comes from Nepal originally and was bred as a guardian for livestock. The exact location where the breed comes from is not documented well but it is thought that they come from North India and Nepal and they are rare outside of that area. They are a mountain dog – close in ancestry to the Himalayan Mastiff, and the Kinnaur Sheepdog of Tibet (Himalaya). All these Himalayan mountain dogs were all called “Gaddi dogs”. The term was used for all the large dogs no matter what their breeds actually were.

The Himalayan Sheepdog is called by various names depending on where they were from. They are called Gaddi Leopardhund in Himachai Pradesh, In Nepal they are known as Bhote Kukkur or Bhotiya. Then there are Chamba Gaddi dogs. They are an ancient breed that existed before documentation on breeds was kept.

They acted as both guardians and herders. They guarded the mountain men’s encampments as well as the livestock. They were also used at times to hunt large animals. Today they are found only within Nepal and India. These Himalayan Sheepdogs are on the verge of extinction in India. There are no breeding programs and their isolation has caused the dilution of the gene pool. It is not recognized by any clubs including the UKC and the AKC.

Description

sapsali puppy - descriptionThe 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.

Temperament:

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.

himalayan sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe breed is a large dog, very athletic and strong. The Himalayan Sheepdog is muscular with a deep chest, strong neck and strong shoulders. It has a medium tail that is thick and busy, curled high over its back. It is a daunting dog that can be very intimidating. They have well padded and large paws. With a broad head and wide forehead, they have a strong, wide muzzle. Their ears are high on the head and hang from the sides. They have almond shaped medium eyes that are deep set with a black nose.

They are a very active and swift dogs. By their nature they are constantly in motion, patrolling their territory and guarding their flock and people. Their devotion to their people and their courage is the stuff of legends. Their coat is double with a large ruff around their necks that resembles a mane. The inner coat is dense and short while the outer coat is longer but dense as well.

Characteristics

sapsali dog - characteristicsThe 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.

Children friendliness

himalayan sheepdog dog - characteristicsYes with enough proper socialization

Special talents

Protection and loyalty

Adaptability

They are not especially adaptable and need a large yard. They are not good in an apartment.

Learning ability

Intelligent but stubborn and independent making them able to learn if they want to.

Health Problems

sapsali puppies - health problemsThe 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.

Heart Disease:

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.

himalayan sheepdog puppies - health problemsThis is a pretty healthy breed with very few health issues. They have the usual large dog issues.

  • Hip Dysplasia – can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  • Elbow Dysplasia – can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  • Arthritis – can cause extreme pain and lameness
  • Patellar luxation – kneecap issues that are painful and can cause lameness
  • Obesity – they have a tendency to overeat and are not that active
  • Glaucoma – can cause blindness

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

sapsali dogs - caringThe 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

Feeding the puppy

himalayan sheepdog dogs - caringFeed the puppy 2-3 times a day with a total of two cups of a quality dog food for large breed dogs.

Feeding the adult

Feed the adult dog twice a day with 3 to 4 cups of a high quality dry dog food for large breed dogs.

Points for Good Health

They are very strong and athletic.

Games and Exercises

The Himalayan Sheepdog needs exercise but not to be overworked. They should be taken on long walks at least once a day. They might play fetch or run in a yard, but they don’t like too much exercise.

Basic Information

Group:
Miscellaneous dogs
Working dog
Origin:
North Korea
India
Height Male:
48 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
61 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
48 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
58 - 69 cm
22 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 27 kg
35 - 60 pounds
40 - 45 kg
88 - 100 pounds
Weight Female:
16 - 27 kg
35 - 60 pounds
38 - 43 kg
83 - 95 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
9 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 7
6 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Sapsaree , Lion Dog
Bhotia • Bhotiya • Bhote Kukkur • Gaddi • Gaddi Leopardhund • Himachal Pradesh • Himalayan Guard Dog • Himalayan Mastiff Guard Dog • Himalayan Chamba Gaddi • HSD
Colors Available:
reddish, Solid colors, brown and black, mixture of blonde
Black, fawn, light brown, beige
Coat:
Long and dense
rough dense long
Shedding:
Moderate
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Courageous, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Hard
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Sapsali vs Other - Breed Comparison
  2. Sapsali vs Olde English Bulldogge - Breed Comparison
  3. Sapsali vs Aussie Doodles - Breed Comparison
  4. Sapsali vs Indian Pariah Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Sapsali vs Dingo - Breed Comparison
  6. Sapsali vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  7. Sapsali vs Peruvian Hairless - Breed Comparison
  8. Sapsali vs Lottatore Brindisino - Breed Comparison
  9. Sapsali vs Carolina Dog - Breed Comparison
  10. Sapsali vs Mountain Feist - Breed Comparison
  11. Sapsali vs Jonangi - Breed Comparison
  12. Sapsali vs Kuri - Breed Comparison
  13. Sapsali vs Perro de Presa Mallorquin - Breed Comparison
  14. New Guinea Singing Dog vs Sapsali - Breed Comparison
  15. Spitz vs Sapsali - Breed Comparison
  16. Schnauzer vs Sapsali - Breed Comparison
  17. Schnoodle vs Sapsali - Breed Comparison
  18. Sapsali vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  19. Sapsali vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  20. Sapsali vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Sapsali vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison
  22. Sapsali vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  23. Sapsali vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  24. Sapsali vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Sapsali vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  27. Presa Canario vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  28. Labrador Husky vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  29. Mackenzie River Husky vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  30. Pyredoodle vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  31. Lurcher vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  32. Maremma Sheepdog vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  33. Sarplaninac vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  34. Mountain View Cur vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  35. Native American Indian Dog vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  36. Komondor vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  37. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  38. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  39. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  40. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  41. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  42. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  43. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  44. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  45. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  46. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  47. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  48. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  49. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  50. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds