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10 Interesting Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Seppala Siberian Sleddog

10 Interesting Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Seppala Siberian Sleddog

Stable, affectionate, hardworking, and active, the Seppala Siberian Sleddog is a perfect human companion. Being around him makes you happy, jumpy, and active. This rare breed was bred to pull sled dogs in Alaska. To date, he still thrives as a working dog. However, if you want him to be a pet at home, he doesn’t have a problem with that as long as you meet his sky-high energy requirements. This breed is certainly worth having if you are looking for a canine buddy.

To help you know more about him, here are 10 interesting facts you probably didn’t know about the Seppala Siberian Sleddog.

1. He Got His Name From A Famous Dog Sled Racer

It was one Leonard Seppala—a Norwegian who migrated to Alaska—who created this dedicated working breed. The guy is a legend in the world of dog racing after being one of the successful dog racers of all time. This was back in 1925 when the prominent figure led his team of Siberian Huskies in a series of relays covering 340 miles of harsh icy conditions. After garnering a lot of success in dog racing, Seppala created a Kennel in Poland to work on the Siberian Husky. However, his dogs became almost extinct after his passing. The Canadian Markova Kennels and the USA-based Seppineau Kennels, luckily, came together to rescue the remainder of Seppala’s work and this is where the Seppala Siberian Sleddog was born.

2. He Was Once The Same Breed As The Siberian Husky

Unknown to many, the Seppala Siberian Sleddog and the Siberian husky were the same breed at one point. He was mainly used to pull sleds and do other jobs. However, as the show ring became famous, Seppala thought of coming up with a dog prized for beauty rather than his work ethic. The Siberian Husky ceased working and participated in shows while the Seppala remained to be a true working breed.

3. But He Is Different From The Husky

When you look at both the Seppala and the Husky, you can tell that they are quite different despite having striking features. The Seppala has long legs and a long body and is generally slender than the Husky. The ears are taller, erect, and set close to each other. His coat is dense and medium in length with different colors including pure white, buff, white and buff, gray, charcoal gray, black, blue-gray, brownish-gray, and sable. While not all of them have piebald spotting and wild type coloration, it is uncommon to find some with it.

4. He Is Friendly Despite Having A Wolf-Like Look

One look at the Seppala and you will think that you are staring at a wolf. His lean and muscular body, ears, eyes, and coat are similar to those of the wild cat. It is only until you interact with this dog that you will realize he is actually friendly and gentle. His temperament is stable than most domestic dogs. Seppala’s are rarely nervous or aggressive unless they are really provoked. While they thrive when given tasks, they can also just curl with you on the sofa as you watch TV.

5. Perfect Family Dog

A good family dog is a gentle canine that has enough love for all family members including kids, adults, and other pets. The Seppala may have been out working most of the day but when he came home, he created special bonds with all. He is a docile dog which means he can be trusted to play and hang out with young kids and other dogs. He’s not aggressive as well making him a great companion for tug of war games, fetch, and Frisbee. His merry and playful attitude will always excite the entire household.

This breed is very loyal and protective of his owners. When a stranger approaches the door, expect him to make some noise to alert you of the intruder. He will not bite, though. Once you are alert, he will smile at the stranger and retreat back to his toys or whatever it is he was doing. If you have another dog at home, he will see them as part of the pack and will exist with them peacefully.

6. Being Cooperative Comes Naturally To Him

If you dream of having a dog that doesn’t give you a hard time when it comes to obedience, consider getting the Seppala Siberian Sleddog. Developed to work as a team, he’s developed such a work ethic that is not common to many canines today. He rarely puts up a fight when you tell him ‘No’. He will gladly listen to you. If you need him to load or unload the washer, he will cooperate in a way that will put a smile on your face.

7. He Is A High-Energy Breed

After being a working dog for centuries, the Seppala got used to working hard in the harshest of climates. As a result, they always have plenty of energy to expend. To make him happy, you have no choice but to put a lot of time into walking him several times a day. If you are an active person yourself, you will have a jogging or running companion if you can catch up with him. With a strong prey drive, he loves to run after small animals.

Unfortunately, he can easily overheat if he’s exposed to heat for too long. Can you blame him? He was raised in cold climates and does best there. If you live in a warm region, consider taking your dog on jogs early in the morning or late in the evening. Apart from jogging and running, the Seppala also enjoys playing games with kids and adults.

8. He Can Get Destructive

As a high-energy breed, the Seppala Siberian Sleddog is prone to getting bored if left alone for too long without stimulation of any kind. He would like to be put to work. Regrettably, not many a dog owner have actual jobs for their dogs. Your pup doesn’t have to go to work to put a meal on his table. That’s your responsibility now. That leaves your pup with too much time on his hands.

A bored Seppala can get into trouble pretty fast. He will bark endlessly to let you know that he needs something to do. He might even tear your sofa apart to keep himself busy or dig a hole under your fence. To help him get over the boredom, provide many entertainment channels including interactive toys, give him simple chores at home, stuffed toys, get a dog walker to walk him, get him on a flirt pole, you name it.

9. Training Him Is No Mean Feat

While the Seppala has a good temperament and looks ridiculously photogenic, he can be a piece of work when it comes to training. He is a very intelligent breed and can easily read your mind and decipher whether you are worth being submitted to or not. If you are not firm, consistent, and dominant in nature, your pup will have zero motivation to do anything you say.

Pack leaders in the wild are fierce, bold, and fearless. They do all they can to make sure the pack is safe, sound, and well-behaved. If you want an easy time training your Sleddog, be sure to emulate the behavior and character of a true leader.

10. He Is A Heavy Shedder

A Seppala’s majestic and beautiful coat sheds heavily twice a year. When the shedding season rolls around, expect nothing but colossal amounts of hair on the sofa, his bed, your bed, the floor, you name it. So, be prepared to brush your pup every day and keep your vacuum cleaner close.

Final Thoughts

The Seppala Siberian Dog is not as famous as the Husky and other Arctic dogs but he’s a beauty to behold. His friendly, gentle, and affectionate disposition will always blow your mind. Of course, he comes with a few challenges but nothing you cannot handle if you are a passionate dog lover.

Last Updated on April 3, 2021 by

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