Tyrolean Hound vs Sapsali - Breed Comparison | PetzLover

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.

The Tyrolean Hound, also known as Tyroker Bracke or Tiroler Bracke originates from Tyrol, Austria. It seems the dog was developed in the late 1800s for hunting.

The first standard for the breed was published in 1896.

This is a scenthound that is thought to have descended from Celtic Hounds, Foxhounds and Bloodhounds in the late 1800s.

The dog is a member of the FCI’s scent hound group. The dog was recognized as its own breed in 1908, and in 2006 it was recognized by the United Kennel Club.

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.

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.

The Tyrolean Hound is a medium-sized to large dog. He stands at roughly between 43 to 50cm in height and can weigh between 20 and 27kg.

He is muscular, lean and compact. The double coat is short and smooth and can be red, tan, black or tri-colored. The ears are high set, are broad, floppy and long. The tail is long and is carried high.

Temperament:

Independent and intelligent the Tyrolean Hound is a hardworking dog, loving to be active. He has all the characteristics of a great pet and companion – loving, lively, intelligent, independent, easily trained and protective.

He’s the kind of dog that would suit a home with a large garden as opposed to living in the city. He is wary of strangers and has a loud bark to warn you of intruders. He has a friendly nature with his human family and makes a good playmate for children.

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.

The Tyrolean Hound is a keen hunting dog loving to be outdoors and active, requiring large grounds to be happy.

Once he comes indoors he is able to settle down with his human family and have some quiet time with them.

He is loyal and loving, but you are going to have to be prepared for an active lifestyle with this skilled hunting dog of yours.

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.

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.

Because these dogs put everything into their hunting, injuries related to hunting can sometimes plague this energetic dog.

Apart from that, he is robust and can live to be 12 – 14 years of age. There are one or two common dog illnesses to look out for with this dog such as hip dysplasia or ear infections.

Ear infections:

The large, floppy ears of the Tyrolean Hound are prone to ear infections. Unlike with dogs that have erect ears, these dogs don’t have their inner ears aired and the dampness, wax and dirt cause bacteria to build up which ultimately leads to an ear infection.

Hip Dysplasia:

The hip joint forms abnormally, leading to chronic wear and tear together with inflammation. Sometimes the dog will squeal when he gets touched around his hips. The condition can worsen and sometimes the dog even becomes lame. He will need to get to the vet for something to control pain.

Grooming:

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

Grooming:

He has a short coat and will simply require a brush twice a week. Because of the fairly large, floppy ears, he will need to have the inside of his ears checked for redness and the possibility of an ear infection.

Exercise:

This dog has always been used to plenty of exercise. He won’t adapt to life in the city on a tiny property. The ideal place for this dog is on a large property, preferably a farm.

Walks, hikes, swimming, ball games, hide and seek – he is a dog that can’t seem to get enough action – he wants to be in on all the action. He is intelligent and will also need mental stimulation.

Diet:

If you were to buy your lean Tyrolean Hound some commercially manufactured food, you’d buy him food that was made for high energy dogs. You’d certainly want to make sure the food is of a high quality, packed with vitamins and minerals and natural ingredients.

He would also love some home-made food too. Raw meat occasionally would do him the world of good. This sort of food needs to be plain and simple such as boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables.

Dogs should never be without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Provide your pet with a nice, warm, dry, quiet sleeping place.

Have the vet check him over if he is ill. Make sure his vaccines are up to date.