Seskar Dog

Seskars are intelligent, friendly dogs that enjoy spending time with people. They make great family pets and excellent therapy dogs.

Weight

31–44 lb

Height

17–21 in

Lifespan

13–15 yr

Breed Group

Companion

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Seskar Dog Traits

General Appearance

The Seskar is a medium-sized dog with a wedge-shaped, triangular head and balanced body.

Coat and Coloring

The breed's short coat is close-lying and water repellent. Seskars come in black or shades of brown, and some have white markings on the paws, tail, or chest.

Distinctive Physical Traits

Notable traits of the Seskar Dog include tall, erect ears, a long slender muzzle, and a thick tail that curls over the back.

Seskars are friendly, social dogs that love hanging out with their humans. In addition to making excellent family pets, these good-natured pups perform well as therapy dogs. Their easy-going personalities make them a great pick for first-time pet parents.

Seskar Dog History

The Seskar Dog was an ancient breed used for hunting seals on the outer islands of the Gulf of Finland. After the Winter War in 1939, the Soviet Union took possession of the islands. This development—combined with a sharp decline in seal hunting in the 1950s—caused the virtual extinction of the Seskar.

In the 1990s, Leo Sipilä began searching for dogs similar to the Seskar that he could use to recreate the breed. A tightly controlled breeding program has since produced several hundred Seskars that closely resemble the original dogs. But no kennel clubs currently recognize the breed.

Seskar Dog Care

Nutrition

Seskar Dogs thrive on a high-quality diet formulated for their life stage (e.g., puppy, adult, senior). To help your dog maintain a healthy weight, measure their portions to avoid overfeeding, and keep an eye on how many treats you're giving them. As a guideline, treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog's daily calories.

Grooming

Weekly brushing and the occasional bath will keep the Seskar's coat clean and free of loose fur. To reduce your dog's chance of ear infections, check their ears regularly and clean them as needed to remove wax build-up and debris.

Nail trims should also be part of every dog's grooming routine. If your pup's nails grow too long, they can cause pain and potentially lead to problems running or walking.

Lastly, good dental hygiene will support your dog's overall health. Dental disease is one of the most common health conditions in adult dogs. Left untreated, it can contribute to other serious issues. In addition to professional cleanings, establish an at-home dental care program that includes regular teeth brushing and veterinarian-recommended dental chews.

Exercise

This active breed needs daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Backyard play sessions, games of fetch, brisk walks, and hikes are great ways to keep them active. Seskars also excel at dog sports—such as agility, rally, and competitive obedience.

Training

Intelligent dogs, Seskars are usually easy to train. Positive, reward-based training methods work well for this breed.

Additionally, all dogs benefit from early socialization. Getting your pup comfortable with different people and environments when they're young will help them develop into a confident, well-mannered adult dog.

Breed Group

Companion

This group consists of dogs typically bred for the specific purpose of human companionship, and many are popular pets because of their gentle nature. They became more common as the concept and luxury of dogs as pets prevailed.