Seskar Seal Dog

Modern version of the breed

Other names

Seskar Dog, Seiskarinhyljekoira

Common nicknames

Seiskari

Origin

Finland

Breed status

Not recognized as a standardized breed by any major kennel club.

Traits
Weight	14–20 kg (31–44 lb)
Height	Male	47-53 cm
	Female	44-50 cm
Coat	Short, smooth, water-resistant
Color	Black, brown, black-and-white, brown-and-white
Life span	12–16 years

Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Seskar Seal Dog (Seiskarinhyljekoira)^[1] is an extinct dog breed from Finland that was recently recreated. The modern dogs are not direct descendants of the original breed. Moreover, they are not used for the same purpose as the original breed. The original breed is typically called Seskar Seal Dog and the modern version Seskar (or Seiskari) Dog. Some 200 individuals in Finland represent the modern breed.

Appearance

According to traditional knowledge, the Seskar Seal Dog was a medium-sized, short-coated dog with a relatively light structure. Its head was wedge-shaped and muzzle relatively long and narrow. The ears were set forward and could be either erect or slightly folded. The tail was curled on the back. The short, shiny, and water-resistant coat was either black, brown, or white with black or brown markings. Males were approximately 47 to 53 centimetres (19 to 21 in) and females 44 to 50 centimetres (17 to 20 in) tall; both weighed 14 to 20 kilograms (31 to 44 lb).^[2]

The breed standard is based on this information; thus, the same qualities also govern the modern type.^[2]

Behavior

The Seskar Seal Dog was friendly and social, both towards people and other dogs. These characteristics were important in its traditional work environment.^[2]

History

A Spitz-type seal-hunting dog was known in the Baltic Sea already during the Stone Age. In Finland, these dogs spread to the areas of Saaristomeri, Suomenlahti, Ahvenanmaa and parts of the Gulf of Bothnia. Dogs were used for searching nest caves and breathing holes of seals until the 1950s, but soon after this they died out^[2] - mainly because they were no longer needed in their original work.^[3] The breed is named after the isle of Seskar.

References

↑ Kääminen, A. (Oct 31st 2008). "Suomenpystykorva on suomalaisten suosikkikoirarotu". Iltasanomat. Retrieved June 16th 2014.
1 2 3 4 Seiskarinkoiran määritelmä. Seiskarinkoirakerho ry - Finnish Seiskari Dog Club. Retrieved May 10th 2014.
↑ Hänninen, P. Suomen koiraeläimet. Finnish Museum of Natural History. Retrieved June 16th 2014.

Spitz-type dogs

Sled dogs	Alaskan Husky Alaskan Malamute American Eskimo Dog Canadian Eskimo Dog Chinook Eurohound Greenland Dog Labrador Husky Mackenzie River Husky Northern Inuit Dog Sakhalin Husky Samoyed Seppala Siberian Sleddog Siberian Husky Tamaskan Dog

Hunting breeds	Black Norwegian Elkhound East Siberian Laika Finnish Spitz Hokkaido Jämthund Karelian Bear Dog Kai Ken Kishu Korean Jindo Norrbottenspets Norwegian Elkhound Norwegian Lundehund Pungsan Dog Russo-European Laika Shiba Inu Shikoku West Siberian Laika

Herding breeds	Finnish Lapphund Icelandic Sheepdog Lapponian Herder Norwegian Buhund Swedish Lapphund Swedish Vallhund

Asiatic breeds	Akita Chow Chow Indian Spitz Japanese Spitz Nureongi Thai Bangkaew Dog

Miscellaneous	Alaskan Klee Kai Eurasier German Spitz (Keeshond, Kleinspitz, Mittelspitz & Pomeranian) Schipperke Volpino Italiano

Extinct breeds	Guejae Gae Hare Indian Dog Hütespitz Sakhalin Husky Salish Wool Dog Seskar Seal Dog Tahltan Bear Dog

Types	Husky Laika

Dogs originating in Finland

Extant	Finnish Hound Finnish Lapphund Finnish Spitz Karelian Bear Dog Karelo-Finnish Laika Lapponian Herder Russo-European Laika Tamaskan Dog

Extinct	Lapponian Shepherd Seskar Seal Dog

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