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Sakhalin Husky

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The Sakhalin Husky (Japanese: 樺太犬, Karafuto Ken ; Russian: Сахалинский хаски; Chinese: 库页犬, Kuye Quan) is a critically endangered landrace and sled laika associated with Sakhalin Island and adjacent areas. They are also known Karafuto Ken, Sakhalin Laika, or Gilyak Laika. While bred primarily as a sled dog , Sakhalin Huskies are also used for hunting bear and fishing. In 1989, there were approximately 20 Sakhalin Huskies remaining on Sakhalin Island.

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60-606: The body of the Sakhalin Husky is elongated, with a thick double undercoat. They are 56–66 centimetres (22–26 in) tall at the withers, and they weigh up to 30–40 kilograms (66–88 lb). The tail is held straight or slightly bent to the side. Historically, the Nivkh people would dock the last 1/3 of the tail at birth to prevent dogs from grabbing each other's tails while pulling a sled. Sakhalin huskies can have black, red, gray, and brindle coloring; however, black dogs are preferred as

120-517: A basal breed that predates the emergence of the modern breeds in the 19th century. A genomic study of two dog specimens that are nearly 100 years old and obtained from the Nenets people on the Yamal Peninsula found that these are related to two specimens dated 2,000 years old and 850 years old, which suggests continuity of the lineage in this region. The two 100 year old dogs were closely related with

180-596: A Russian exonym for the Nivkh people . The Japanese name 樺太犬 or "Karafuto Ken" comes from the combination of Karafuto (the Japanese name for Sakhalin ) and Ken (a Japanese word for dog) and hence provides the breed's geographical origin. The Sakhalin Husky was developed over centuries by the Nivkh people as a hardy, reliable sled dog and hunting dog for use on Sakhalin Island and along

240-455: A consequence, the collagen fibrils of the glomerular basement membrane are unable to form cross-links, so the structural integrity is weakened and the membrane is more susceptible to "wear-and-tear" damage. As the structure of the basement membrane begins to degenerate, plasma proteins are lost in the urine and symptoms begin to appear. Affected males appear healthy for the first three months of life, but then symptoms start to appear and worsen as

300-399: A disadvantage compared to their tailed peers. Videos comparing docked and undocked dogs running and jumping show that dogs who are docked have to work harder to compensate for the loss of the tail. Canine pathologist and sports-medicine expert Prof. Chris Zink believes the extra stress imposed on the joints can have long-term health consequences. In 2007, Stephen Leaver, a graduate student at

360-522: A distinct naturally occurring phenotype. Historically, tail docking was thought to prevent rabies, strengthen the back, increase the animal's speed, and prevent injuries when ratting , fighting , and baiting . Tail docking is done in modern times either for prophylactic , therapeutic , cosmetic purposes, and/or to prevent injury. For dogs that work in the field, such as some hunting dogs , herding dogs , or terrier dogs , tails can collect burrs and foxtails , causing pain and infection and, due to

420-534: A few days. As a landrace, there is currently no breed standard. The Sakhalin Husky is calm, intelligent, and loyal. They have not been shown to be aggressive with people or other dogs. Sakhalin Huskies have high prey drives and are able to hunt and catch fish for themselves. Like other sled dogs, Sakhalin huskies need extensive exercise. 19th century mail route mushers would note the ability of Sakhalin huskies to navigate over ice floes during blizzards, even maintaining

480-459: A handler can provide secondary aid) may be docked to prevent their tails from being grabbed in a fight. This is most common in the Rottweiler , Doberman Pinscher , Bandog , Cane Corso , Boerboel , etc. Robert Wansborough found in a 1996 paper that docking tails puts dogs at a disadvantage in several ways. First, dogs use their tails to communicate with other dogs (and with people); a dog without

540-468: A hint of silver coloring. This top layer keeps the undercoat relatively clean and free of debris. The under layer, or undercoat, consists of a dense, soft, and short fur that keeps the dog warm. The undercoat typically sheds heavily once or twice a year, and this seasonal process is sometimes referred to as "blowing coat". This does not mean the Samoyed will shed only during that time however; fine hairs (versus

600-409: A life expectancy of 13.1 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds . The breed can be affected by a genetic disease known as Samoyed hereditary glomerulopathy, a kidney disease. The disease is known to be caused by an X-linked recessive faulty allele and therefore the disease is more severe in male Samoyeds. Also known as hereditary nephritis , it

660-519: A light to dark brown tint (known as "biscuit") to a greater or lesser extent. The tint is usually on the ears but can be visible on the whole body. The Samoyed tail is one of the breed's distinguishing features. Like the Alaskan Malamute , the tail is carried curled over the back; however, unlike the Alaskan Malamute, the Samoyed tail is held actually touching the back. It is not usually held in

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720-458: A tail might be significantly handicapped in conveying fear, caution, aggression, playfulness, and so on. Leaver and Reimchen, in 2007, found that longer tails were more effective than shorter tails at "conveying different intraspecific cues, such as those provided by tail motion". It has also been suggested that certain breeds use their tails as rudders when swimming, and possibly for balance when running; so active dogs with docked tails might be at

780-510: A tight curl, or held flag-like; it is usually carried lying over the back and to one side. In cold weather, Samoyeds may sleep with their tails over their noses to provide additional warmth. Almost all Samoyeds will allow their tails to fall when they are relaxed and at ease, as when being stroked or while eating, but will return their tails to a curl when more alert. Samoyeds have a dense, double layer coat . The topcoat contains long, coarse, and straight guard hairs , which appear white but have

840-559: A whole family has quite a large number of them." Rinzō also presented drawings showing people resembling modern Nivkhs traversing the snowy plains in dog sleds. Russian navigator and naval officer Gennady Nevelskoy briefly used Sakhalin Huskies during the Amur expedition of 1849–1855 . Not knowing of the work of the Mamiya Rinzō forty years earlier, Nevelskoy's report was widely regarded in Russia as

900-519: Is a breed of medium-sized herding dogs with thick, white, double-layer coats. They are spitz-type dogs which take their name from the Samoyedic peoples of Siberia . Descending from the Nenets Herding Laika , they are domesticated animals that assist in herding, hunting , protection and sled-pulling. Samoyed dogs are most often white, and can have a brown tint to their double-layer coat which

960-467: Is caused by a nonsense mutation in codon 1027 of the COL4A5 gene on the X chromosome ( glycine to stop codon ), which is similar to Alport's syndrome in humans. Carrier females do develop mild symptoms after 2–3 months of age, but mostly do not go on to develop kidney failure . The disease is caused by a defect in the structure of the type-IV collagen fibrils of the glomerular basement membrane . As

1020-603: Is due to the increase in serious spinal trauma reported in field dogs with undocked tails. Three provincial veterinary associations have bans on their veterinarians performing tail docking, ear cropping, and most cosmetic surgeries: Three Provincial veterinary associations with ear cropping bans are open to a future ban of tail docking: Samoyed dog The Samoyed ( / ˈ s æ m ə j ɛ d / SAM -ə-yed or / s ə ˈ m ɔɪ . ɛ d / sə- MOY -ed ; Russian : самое́дская соба́ка , romanized :  samoyédskaya sobáka , or самое́д , samoyéd )

1080-409: Is illegal, and no dog with cropped ears can take part in any Kennel Club event (including agility and other non-conformation events). Tail docking is also illegal, except for a few working breeds; this exemption applies only when carried out by a registered veterinary surgeon. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes the docking of dogs' tails a criminal offence, except for working dogs such as those used by

1140-561: Is illegal. The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 contains provisions prohibiting the mutilation of domesticated animals. However, the Scottish government has carried out a consultation on this issue and declared that they intend to legislate to bring the law in Scotland in line with the law in England and Wales, meaning that there will be an exemption for certain breeds of working dogs. This

1200-475: Is naturally dirt-repellent. They are known to be used in expeditions in both Arctic and Antarctic regions and have a friendly and agreeable disposition. The progenitor of the Samoyeds was the Nenets Herding Laika , a reindeer herding spitz commonly used throughout northern Siberia, especially the Nenets people who were pejoratively referred to as Samoyeds at that time. DNA evidence confirms that Samoyeds are

1260-897: Is rare. The breed is characterized by an alert and happy expression which has earned the nicknames "Sammie smile" and "smiley dog". With their tendency to bark, however, they can be diligent watch dogs, barking whenever something approaches their territory. Samoyeds are excellent companions, especially for small children or even other dogs, and they remain playful into old age. According to the Samoyed Club of America, when Samoyeds become bored, they may become destructive or start to dig. Samoyeds can compete in dog agility trials, carting , obedience , showmanship , flyball , tracking , mushing and herding events. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at non-competitive herding tests. Samoyeds exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials. A 2024 UK study found

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1320-519: The 50th parallel north reverted to Japanese rule, while Russia retained the northern three-fifths. In 1920, during the Siberian Intervention , Japan again occupied the northern part of the island, returning it to the Soviet Union in 1925. From 1945 to 1948, many Nivkh, who had been living under Japanese jurisdiction in the southern half of Sakhalin, were forcibly relocated to Japan along with

1380-611: The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association . These organizations have also called on breed organizations to remove docking from all breed standards. Critics point out that kennel clubs with breed standards that do not make allowance for uncropped or undocked dogs put pressure on owners and breeders to continue the practice. Although the American Kennel Club (AKC) says that it has no rules that require docking or that make undocked animals ineligible for

1440-670: The National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno Park . With the further development of Sakhalin and advent of snowmobiles , the use of Sakhalin Husky continued to decline. By 2011, the landrace was critically endangered with only seven known individuals owned by musher Sergei Lyubykh. Japanese musher Isami Abe owned the last two Sakhalin Huskies in Japan. He notes that he attempted to import additional breeding stock prior to Lyubykh's death but bureaucratic indifference and lack of interest from

1500-534: The University of Victoria , published a paper on tail docking which found that tail length was important in the transmission of social cues. The study found that dogs with shorter tails (docked tails) would be approached with caution, as if the approaching dog was unsure of the emotional state of the docked dog. The study goes on to suggest that dogs with docked tails may grow up to be more aggressive. The reasoning postulated by Tom Reimchen, UVic Biologist and supervisor of

1560-472: The Japanese scientific expedition to the South Pole , the dramatic rescue from the impossible weather conditions on the return journey, and the relationship between the scientists and their loyal and hard-working Sakhalin huskies. Due to difficulties in finding pure Sakhalin huskies, the dogs used in the movie were Sakhalin husky mixes. A second film from 2006, Eight Below , provided a fictionalized version of

1620-475: The Sakhalin huskies were shorter than other sled dogs and had difficulty navigating in deep snow. The dogs were unable to use their docked tails to curl up to stay warm while resting, making them more sensitive to the extreme cold of Antarctica. Scott recounts falling into a crevasse with his entire sled team except lead dog Osman. Osman was able to hold onto the edge of the crevasse with only his feet and teeth until

1680-552: The Samoyed breed, which indicates that the ancient arctic lineage lives on in the modern Samoyed dog. During preparation for the Fram expedition to the North Pole in 1893–1896, 33 dogs were purchased from the Nenets people. While 28 of these dogs would go to the North Pole, none of them survived. The remaining dogs, including pups born during the voyage, were left aboard the ship. In April 1893

1740-541: The United Kingdom. A dog docked before 28 March 2007 in Wales and 6 April 2007 in England may continue to be shown at all shows in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland throughout its life. A dog docked on, or after, the above dates, regardless of where it was docked, may not be shown at shows in England and Wales where the public is charged a fee for admission. Where a working dog has been docked in England and Wales under

1800-519: The adjacent shores of mainland Russia. The Nivkh were especially renowned for their expertise in dog sledding and breeding in the region, and neighboring ethnic groups often emulated their methods. Sakhalin Huskies are traditionally fed fish such as yukola , seal and bear lard. Their fur was used to make clothing for the Nivkh and the dogs would be consumed during times of famine. Lack of roads and severe winter conditions in this region often made travel prohibitive and people relied on dog sled teams as

1860-414: The age of 8 to 15 months is expected. In heterozygous females, the disease develops slowly. The disease can be treated to slow down the development by use of cyclosporine A and ACE inhibitors , but not stopped. If a carrier female is mated with a healthy stud dog , the female offspring have a 50% chance of being carriers for the disease, and any male offspring have a 50% chance of being affected by

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1920-573: The benefits of injury prevention and infection prevention, while also maintaining enough tail length to be used for social communication. Robinson, however, is not a veterinarian or researcher but the owner of American Sentinel K9, which derives income from dogs who have been docked. Docking has been condemned by the American Veterinary Medical Association , the American Animal Hospital Association, and

1980-705: The bitch had another litter, most of them white. According to Nansen's notes "...all the dogs were strong, tough and excellent at pulling sleds; they worked very well in hunting Polar bears [as well]." These dogs would become the original Samoyeds. The AKC Standard requires 45–65 pounds (20–29 kg) and 21–23.5 inches (53–60 cm) at the shoulder for males, and 35–50 pounds (16–23 kg) and 19–21 inches (48–53 cm) for females. The UK Kennel Club Standard requires 51–56 centimetres (20–22 in) for males, and 46–51 centimetres (18–20 in) for females. Samoyed ears are thick and covered with fur, triangular in shape, and erect. They are almost always white but have

2040-438: The blood supply to the tail with a rubber ligature for a few days until the tail falls off. The second involves the severance of the tail with surgical scissors or a scalpel. The length to which tails are docked varies by breed, and is often specified in the breed standard. Docking is illegal, or restricted, in many countries. Some dog breeds have naturally occurring bobtail lines. These appear similar to docked dogs but are

2100-435: The breed may produce fewer allergens, care should be taken for severe allergies. Shed Samoyed fur is sometimes used as an alternative to wool in knitting , with a texture similar to angora . The fur is sometimes also used for the creation of artificial flies for fly fishing . Life expectancy for the breed is about 12–13 years. Samoyeds' friendly and affable disposition makes them poor guard dogs; an aggressive Samoyed

2160-541: The color is the most visible during a snow storm. Sakhalin have triangular face with amber eyes and prick ears. The Sakhalin Husky are freighting sled dogs and evoke a sense of power due to its strong skeletal structure and well-developed muscles. They can drag more than 70 kilograms (150 lb) of cargo over distances as long as 100–150 kilometres (62–93 mi) at speeds of 10–11 kilometres per hour (6.2–6.8 mph) They have large paws and excellent endurance that allows them to cover long distances in snowy conditions in just

2220-466: The correct course over the 480 kilometres (300 mi) from Nikolaevsky-on-Amur to Alexander post on Sakhalin. The Sakhalin Husky is a generally healthy breed resistant to disease, living up to 20–22 years. In Russian the breed is often referred to as Сахалинский хаски or "Sakhalin husky" as well as Сахалинский Ла́йка or "Sakhalin Laika." Historic documents may also refer to them as Gilyak Laika, Gilyak being

2280-421: The dense clumps shed during seasonal shedding) will be shed all year round, and have a tendency to stick to cloth and float in the air. The standard Samoyed may come in a mixture of biscuit and white coloring, although pure white and all biscuit dogs are common. Males typically have larger ruffs than females. While this breed is touted as "hypoallergenic", it does shed a fair amount and needs frequent grooming. While

2340-448: The disease progresses: the dog becomes lethargic and muscle wastage occurs, as a result of proteinuria . From three months of age onwards, a reduced glomerular filtration rate is detected, indicative of progressive kidney failure. Clinically, proteinuria is found in both sexes from the age of three to four months; in dogs older than this, kidney failure in combination with more or less pronounced hearing loss occurs swiftly and death at

2400-534: The docking was performed to prevent future injuries, and the case was dismissed for lack of evidence otherwise. Although cosmetic docking was still considered unacceptable by the RCVS, no further disciplinary action was taken against vets performing docking prior to the implementation of the ban. In Northern Ireland , legislation known as Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 made tail docking illegal except for certain working dogs. In Scotland, docking of any breed

2460-457: The dogs were more expensive to feed than horses. The Sakhalin Husky was thrust into the world spotlight during the ill-fated 1958 Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition . An emergency evacuation resulted in the abandonment of 15 Sakhalin Huskies at Showa Antarctic Research Station. The researchers believed that they would return in a few days and left the dogs chained up outside with a small supply of food. However, poor weather conditions prevented

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2520-552: The ethnic Japanese settlers as a result of the Soviet-Japanese War in 1945. Sakhalin Huskies brought to Japan were highly valued for their work ethic, where they were used to unload ships and provide dog sled rides to tourists. Sakhalin Huskies were used by the Red Army during World War II as pack animals for a short time, but it was found that they have a strong dietary preference for salmon and Soviet officials determined that

2580-454: The expedition are memorialized by three monuments: near Wakkanai , Hokkaido ; under Tokyo Tower ; and near Nagoya Port . Sculptor Takeshi Ando designed the Tokyo statues and was also the creator of the replacement of the famous Hachikō statue in front of JR Shibuya Station. The Tokyo statues were later removed, to be placed at Tokyo's National Institute of Polar Research . Few sources provide

2640-426: The first proof that Sakhalin is indeed an island. Explorers of Franz Josef Land and northern Alaska were known to use Sakhalin Huskies. After having poor success with Samoyeds during his 1901–1904 Discovery Expedition , British explorer Robert Falcon Scott hired Sakhalin musher Dmitry Girev to purchase and care for 33 Sakhalin Huskies during his ill-fated Terra Nova expedition to Antarctica. Scott notes that

2700-504: The largest study to date on tail injuries in dogs the incidence was 0.23% and it was calculated that approximately 500 dogs need to be docked to prevent one tail injury." Docking of puppies younger than 10 to 14 days old is routinely carried out by both breeders and veterinarians without anesthesia. While the tails of some working dogs are docked to prevent injury or infection, the tails of larger dogs commonly used for guard work or protection work (not to be confused with patrol work where

2760-516: The lifestyle of the Nivkh. The traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle disappeared and with it the ability to feed and care for the Sakhalin husky, and dogs were destroyed across northern Sakhalin Island. Japanese forces invaded and occupied Sakhalin in the closing stages of the Russo-Japanese War in 1904–05. In accordance with the Treaty of Portsmouth of 1905, the southern part of the island below

2820-472: The names of the 15 Japanese sled dogs that were stranded, as well as the photos and descriptions of the Huskies. The names of the dogs, and their fates, are listed here: Docking (dog) Docking is the removal of portions of an animal's tail . While docking and bobbing are more commonly used to refer to removal of the tail, the term cropping is used in reference to the ears. Tail docking occurs in one of two ways. The first involves constricting

2880-463: The occurrence but did not reference the breed. Instead, the film featured only eight dogs: two Alaskan Malamutes named Buck and Shadow and six Siberian Huskies named Max, Old Jack, Maya, Dewey, Truman, and Shorty. In 2011, TBS presented the TV drama, Nankyoku Tairiku , featuring Kimura Takuya . It tells the story of the 1957 Antarctica Expedition led by Japan and their Sakhalin Huskies. The breed and

2940-447: The only dependable means to transport everything from mail and food to medicine and people. When there was sufficient ice buildup, Sakhalin huskies were used to cross the Strait of Tartary between Sakhalin and the mainland in winter, the distance between the town of Rybnovsk and the mainland being around 50 kilometres (31 mi). So valuable were Sakhalin Huskies that owning a team of dogs

3000-508: The police force, the military, rescue services, pest control, and those used in connection with lawful animal shooting. Three options were presented to Parliament in March 2006 with Parliament opting for the second: Those convicted of unlawful docking are liable to a fine of up to £20,000, up to 69 weeks of imprisonment, or both. Prior to the ban, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS),

3060-585: The practice is currently opposed by the American Veterinary Medical Association . Today, many countries ban cropping and docking because they consider the practices unnecessary, painful, cruel or mutilation . In Europe, the cropping of ears is prohibited in all countries that have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals . Some countries that ratified the convention made exceptions for tail docking. Show dogs are no longer docked in

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3120-732: The public as well as his own advancing age has impaired his efforts. Lyubykh died on 31 October 2014. Before his death, Lyubykh notes that there were no longer enough known living specimens of the breed to provide the genetic diversity necessary for continued breeding. Despite this, he believed that the Sakhalin Husky could be revived, noting that "strong dogs still remain in the remote forest villages." He left his seven remaining Sakhalin dogs to his student, Oleg Seliverstov. Oleg Seliverstov has continued restoration efforts with Nikolai Chalkin. Today there are approximately 20 Sakhalin Huskies living on Sakhalin Island. The 1983 film Antarctica (南極物語, Nankyoku Monogatari , lit. "South Pole Story") recounts

3180-415: The regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom, had stated in the 1990s that they considered tail docking to be "an unjustified mutilation and unethical unless done for therapeutic or acceptable prophylactic reasons." In 1995, a veterinary surgeon was brought before the RCVS disciplinary council for "disgraceful professional conduct" for carrying out cosmetic docking. The surgeon claimed that

3240-496: The relief team from reaching the outpost. Nearly one year later, a new expedition arrived and discovered that two of the dogs, Taro and Jiro , had survived and they became instant celebrities. Taro returned to Sapporo, Japan and lived at Hokkaido University until his death in 1970, after which he was stuffed and put on display at the university's museum. Jiro died in Antarctica in 1960 of natural causes and his remains are located at

3300-454: The respective regulations, however, it may be shown where the public is charged a fee, so long as it is shown "only to demonstrate its working ability." It will thus be necessary to show working dogs in such a way as to demonstrate their working ability and not conformity to a standard. A dog legally docked in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or abroad may be shown at any show in Scotland or Northern Ireland. In England and Wales , ear cropping

3360-587: The rest of the team could be lifted out. Osman would survive the ill-fated expedition and spend the rest of his life with Gerov, and later at Wellington Zoo , New Zealand. In the 1920s and 1930s, Soviet policies on national minorities proved devastating to local dog populations. The Nivkh were forced into mass agricultural and industrial labor collectives called kolkhoz . Restrictions were placed on where to fish and how much fish each household could consume. Local hunters were sent to labor camps as punishment for hunting seal or bear. These policies irrevocably altered

3420-405: The show ring, standards for many breeds put undocked animals at a disadvantage for the conformation show ring. The American breed standard for boxers, for example, recommends that an undocked tail be "severely penalized." The AKC position is that ear cropping and tail docking are "acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health," even though

3480-436: The study, was that dogs who grew up without being able to efficiently transmit social cues would grow up to be more anti-social and thus more aggressive. H. Lee Robinson argues that reported concerns of tail docking lack empirical evidence, and is primarily supported by animal rights activists that lack experience with working dogs. Robinson suggests that docking the tail of working dogs at approximately one half length provides

3540-522: The tail's wagging, may be subject to abrasion or other injury while moving through dense brush or thickets. Bones in the tail can also be broken by pulling or impact in the field, causing spinal injury to the tail. The American Veterinary Medical Association (the largest veterinary professional organization in the United States), disputes these justifications, saying "These justifications for docking working dogs' tails lack substantial scientific support. In

3600-457: Was considered a measurement of wealth and dogs were often awarded as payment by Nivkh elders to settle debts. In 1808 and 1809 Japanese explorer Mamiya Rinzō (1780–1845), wrote in his report to the Edo shogunate : "Inhabitants [of the northern regions of Sakhalin] often use dogs. Every family, rich and poor, has dogs. They are played with and well taken care of. Often one person keeps 3–5 dogs, and even

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