Sapsali vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison

Sapsali vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed ComparisonBelgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) is originated from Belgium but Sapsali is originated from North Korea. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) may grow 6 cm / 3 inches higher than Sapsali. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) and Sapsali are having almost same weight. Both Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) and Sapsali has almost same life span. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) may have more litter size than Sapsali. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) requires Low Maintenance. But Sapsali requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Miscellaneous dogs
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Belgium
North Korea
Height Male:
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
48 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
Height Female:
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
48 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
16 - 27 kg
35 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
20 - 30 kg
44 - 67 pounds
16 - 27 kg
35 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 11
4 - 7
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Belgian Laekenois, Belgian Shepherd Dog
Sapsaree , Lion Dog
Colors Available:
Fawn, Black & Tan, Brownish red
reddish, Solid colors, brown and black, mixture of blonde
Coat:
Rough, medium length
Long and dense
Shedding:
Minimal, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

belgian shepherd dog laekenoisThe Laekenois, from a variety of 4 Belgian Shepherds, and one of the rarest, is a working- or herding breed of dog which originated in Belgium. It is believed to have been around since the Middle Ages. The intelligent dog was also used for sending messages during the 1st World War. In most countries, all 4 of the dogs are considered the same breed with different varieties in coat types, but there are some instances where they are recognized as separate breeds.

An interesting aspect of these dogs is that until the advent of dog shows in the 1900s, the 4 varieties were intermixed, and today purebred Laekenois can sometimes give birth to smooth-coated puppies which can be registered as Malinois.

sapsaliEarly 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.

Description

Temperament

belgian shepherd dog laekenois puppy - descriptionThe Laekenois is a highly talented dog, highly energetic and extremely intelligent. He will make a superb family pet with owners who are firm and fair with him. The dog is bright, obedient, protective and somewhat territorial. He’ll guard what he believes is his as he is instinctively protective.

He will get on well with children in the home, and he can also be socialized to get on well with other pets in the home. Of course, the way an owner treats the dog, and any other dog for that matter, brings out different temperaments in a dog. To get the best from him he should be trained and socialized from an early age. He will need plenty of exercise if you don’t want him becoming destructive from sheer boredom.

Looks

The body is well proportioned, muscular and sturdy. He has an alert, intelligent face with erect ears, bright brown eyes and the nose black. The hair is dense on the long tail, but with no feathering like with the other breeds. The most common color is fawn with a reddish undertone. The chest is deep and the legs strong and straight. The Laekenois's medium length rough, wire coat can include colors from fawn to brownish and black in between.

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.

Characteristics

belgian shepherd dog laekenois dog - characteristicsThe Belgian Laekenois is an energetic herding breed dog, and even though he will do well in an apartment if he is sufficiently exercised, big gardens and farms would be first choice for him. Wherever you offer him a home, make sure to exercise him regularly and give him plenty of attention, as he loves his human family.

He’ll make an exceptional watchdog and because he is so intelligent, he learns easily, responding readily to his owner’s instruction. He’ll protect his human family with his life. Social, lively, attractive and bright, anybody who has owned a Laekenois will vouch for his loyalty and devotion, making him a splendid pet.

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.

Health Problems

belgian shepherd dog laekenois puppies - health problemsThe lifespan of the Belgian Laekenois is between 10 and 14 years of age, and he is a pretty robust breed, not prone to getting sick easily. However, as with most other dog breeds, he is predisposed to some concerning health conditions.

Epilepsy

A frightening health issue in Belgian Shepherds is inherited epilepsy. It occurs in all four varieties. Your dog will have uncontrollable shaking that can last a few minutes. There are many causes of seizures but it is mostly an inherited disorder.

Eye disorders

The most common eye disease is cataracts.

Hip Dysplasia

This is an inherited disease that causes the joints to develop improperly. He may even have difficulty getting up from lying down.

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.

Caring The Pet

Grooming

belgian shepherd dog laekenois dogs - caringThe long, double coat of your Laekenois will need to be trimmed about twice a year otherwise he could look dirty and unkempt. Certainly with the coat he has, you will need to brush him at least twice a week to get rid of all those loose hairs.

Feeding

He is a well muscled, athletic, energetic dog and his food, whether home-made or commercially manufactured, needs to be a high-quality food high in protein and packed full of minerals and vitamins. If you’re not sure about food type, speak to your vet, because as a dog expert, they will advise you on food appropriate to this dog breed and his energy needs. Whether you own a male or female Laekenois, feeding should be such that weight for an adult is maintained around 25–30kg.

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

Comparison with other breeds

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  25. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Sapsali vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Sapsali vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Sapsali vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Sapsali vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Sapsali vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Sapsali vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Sapsali vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Sapsali vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Sapsali vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Sapsali vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Sapsali vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Sapsali vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Sapsali vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Sapsali vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Sapsali vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Sapsali vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Sapsali vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Sapsali vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Sapsali vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Sapsali vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Sapsali vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Sapsali vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Sapsali vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Sapsali vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Sapsali vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison