Sapsali

According to early documentation, the Sapsali breed dog, also commonly referred to as the Sapsaree, has been part of Korean history since at least 400 AD as both symbolic soldiers and as cherished companions to royalty. Later, this charming and devoted dog became available to the citizenry as well as royalty and they thrived in the general populace as well until World War I. During the rule of colonial Japan these sweet-natured dogs were rounded up and slaughtered in order to make coats for the invading soldiers, with reports indicating that over 100,000 were sacrificed per year during that time, and the poverty that followed the wars that devastated Korea reduced the population of Sapsali dogs even further. In 1969, several Korean professors, realizing that the breed was close to extinction, located as many Sapsali dogs as possible, a yield of around thirty or so dogs, which by 1985 had dropped even further, to only eight viable dogs. Ha Ji-Hong, the son of one of the original professors on the project, put everything he had into restoring the breed; all of his money, his land, and his considerable education went into the project. In order to achieve his success Ha Ji-Hong utilized carefully planned inbreeding programs, and within approximately five years, the population was increased to around 500 dogs. DNA samples were then used to help weed out as many diseases and disorders as possible, and the breed was designated as Korean National Treasure number 368 in 1992. Today there are approximately three thousand members registered with the Korean Sapsaree Association.