Utonagan vs Guejae Gae - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

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 Utonogan is such a wolf-like dog, you couldn’t be blamed for thinking you’d come face to face with a true wolf. They’re a rare dog breed that came about from crossing the Siberian Husky, the German Shepherd and the Alaskan Malamute.

The dog was developed by Edwina Harrison and it was in the 1980s that the dog was introduced into the UK.

The Utonagan is a rare dog with only a few breeders. Take care with where you buy your Utonogan from and certainly steer clear of backyard breeders or puppy mills.

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.

Temperament:

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.

These dogs are large and lean, looking vibrant and strong. They stand at between 63-84 cm in height and weigh roughly between 32-40 kg.

The body is long with strong but slender legs with webbed paws. They look like wolves with the sharp muzzle, the erect ears, bushy tails and slanted eyes with black eye rims. The double coat is thick and straight. Colors of the coat can be silver or gey, cream, brown, or black. The coat becomes thicker in the Winter.

Temperament:

The Utonagan is a very social dog, wanting to spend a lot of time with his human family. They have so many excellent qualities that make him a splendid pet - loving, loyal and gentle.

Whether you have other pets in the home or children, he is a dog that is able to get on with everyone. He is wary of strangers though and with training ad socialization he is going to be the most fantastic pet and companion.

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 Utonagan is an intelligent dog and also very social and people-oriented. He wants to be part of his human family, with a friendly, playful nature.

He will certainly not like being left alone and outside day after day. He can become frantic with frustration and this can be laid at the feet of an irresponsible dog owner.

Give him the life he wants and deserves, and this beautiful wolf-like dog will be your friend for life.

The Guajae Gae is a healthy dog breed with few genetic problems, if any.

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.

Yur Utonagans can live to be between 12 and 15 years of age, but a few issues can include cancer and joint dysplasia.

Cancer is a major cause of death in dogs old and young. There also seems to be some dog breeds that are more prone to cancer than others.

Thankfully most of the cancers are curable if you get them in the nick of time. The warning signs of cancer in your dog is much the same as with people and you’ll discover a new lump on your pet or a wound that simply won’t heal.

When you detect that your pet is lethargic and not acting his usual perky self, it is time to get him immediately to the vet.

Grooming:

He sheds quite a bit and more so in hot weather so he will need to be thoroughly brushed twice a week.

Exercise:

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.

Diet:

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.

Exercise:

These are very high energy dogs and they will need exercise every day. While they will love a walk, they would be happier with something more vigorous such as a hike.

Swimming, ball games and hide and seek will all need to be on this dog’s menu of events. It is why it’s a dog that is better suited to life in the country as opposed to life in the city.

Diet:

If you opt to buy this dog commercially manufactured food, he will need to have a high quality one high in vitamins and minerals and designed for energetic dogs. Try and avoid the inferior brands as they are packed with ingredients that can be of no value to your pet. There are ingredients which can actually make him sick.

Home-made food is always a good thing for dogs, especially when it is simple, nutritious food that won’t aggravate the stomach.

You can’t go wrong with foods such as boiled chicken, brown rice, and vegetables such as spinach, carrots and sweet potato. A little bit of raw meat added in occasionally can be excellent as well. Always make sure that a bowl of fresh water is available to your pet around the clock.

Grooming:

This is such a beautiful dog, you want to keep him that way. His thick coat is going to require regular brushing to keep it free from matting. Not only that, grooming stimulates the skin. You can also check him over at the same time for ticks and fleas and make sure there aren’t any unusual lumps on the body.

This type of dog values the grooming session as it is a bonding time for him, making him that much happier and content.

Other grooming needs will include taking care of his nails and checking inside his ears and mouth for signs of infection.