KWAN is a South Korean Sapsaree (also known as a Sapsali) breed dog with an estimated date of birth or 21 March 2019. He is neutered, rabies, vaccinated, de-wormed, microchipped and on monthly preventatives. He has an estimated weight of around 66 pounds. The Sapsaree is an ancient South Korean breed it is important that research is done. KWAN does have a long shaggy coat, that does have some matts and is a dog that is going to need regular grooming. This can become expensive and should be a factor that families take into account, his coat will very easily matt if not regularly brushed and cared for properly.

KWAN had been found by an activist wondering around the site a week after a rescue mission by animal activists  from Hanam City in South Korea. They believe he had most likely escaped from the dog traders home before the raid. Information taken from a blog about this city so you can understand just how lucky this beautiful boy was to escape such horrors.

    https://koreandogs.org/hanam/

   In    Hanam  , there are    countless dog farms, slaughterhouses  , markets and restaurants where the dogs, who are tortured their entire lives, end up being slaughtered in the most inhumane ways, such as by electrocution, hanging or beating; and then thrown into boiling water – sometimes while they are still alive. In many places, dogs are being killed in full view of other terrified, caged dogs; and this takes place in broad daylight. In addition, many abandoned and stolen former pets end up in this industry, and are subjected to the same cruelty.

The Sapsaree is an ancient South Korean breed it is important that research is done.

" The exact origins of the Sapsali breed are unknown but early documentation suggests that the breed was present in Korea as early as the Three Kingdom period which lasted from 37BC to 668AD. The Sapsali was a cherished companion among royal Korean families for many years, believed to be an instrument of good fortune. In fact, the meaning of Sapsaree is “One that roots out evil spirits.” That explains their nickname of “Ghost Dog.” A popular saying states that the Sapsarees drive away ghosts because ghosts are deathly afraid of it.      https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/sapsali/

KWAN and his travel companion were flown from South Korea into JKF International Airport, NY where I picked them up and drove them up to the safety of the rescue in Sebec, Maine. I had sectioned off an area in the house so that they could decompress, get used to the very different, smells, noises and such and get to know the other dogs. After a few days I let them join the rest of the dogs and have full run of the house and after the initial meet and greets they settled in wonderfully.

KWAN was a little apprehensive at first and still can be at times when the other dogs are noisily playing, but his confidence has gained significantly and he has started to enjoy relaxing on the big comfy dog beds and playing with toys, chewing on bones and hooves and being the first up to get a biscuit or treat. He is always first up to greet me when I come in and follows me around where he can. He lies at the bedroom door/gate when I am in the bedroom and is clearly bonded and loves the human interaction. Although he has been great with other dogs, he has started showing a bit of irritability to some of the dogs and so it is important that if other dogs are around he be given his space and body language observed. I do think he would be fine in a home with another dog, but not sure I see him being the playful wrestling type of dog. Reading up on the breed characteristics, baring in mind he is a mix and has been through many traumatic times, it has been noted that they can be aggressive with other dogs when felt threatened and doesn't always get along with other dogs.

Kwan, although not listed as a working breed dog, is highly intelligent and needs a family that understands the importance of not just physical exercise, but the mental needs also. If an intelligent dog is not mentally challenged they can get bored and frustrated which can lead to behavioural problems.

Kwan  has been in the bedroom with some cats and seemed to have not encountered them before, showing a huge curiosity but also respect for these unknown hissing creatures. After a little while he became a little too curious and he often jumps up and barks at the gate on the bedroom when he is watching the cats. Due to this behaviour we feel it best that Kwan lives with a family that does not have any cats or small animals.

Kwan is not house trained in that he doesn't know to let me know he wants to go outside, but since we have been having nice refreshing weather, the dog room door is open a lot of the time and he does go outside to do his business and of course explore. Families should expect to work with him on house-training along with basic training and be sure to be invested in learning his body language and understand he is in a very different world than he was used to.

Kwan is an active boy and we are looking for a family that is already active and is ready to take him on all kinds of adventures. He rides great in the car, has the sweetest personality and it would benefit him greatly to be exposed and explore many different environments and adventures. So we are looking for an active, adventurous family. I have not seen KWAN around children, however, as long as the children know and are taught to respect him and give him his space and learn his body language as we expect to happen with all dogs, then I do not see any reason for their to be a problem. He is a very gentle, sweet boy who would only act if he felt to be in a threatening or painful situation. 

Kwan is available for adoption for an adoption fee of $1,200. I am sure you can imagine this does not come close to the cost of the care, the vetting and of course the flying and driving him from South Korea to Maine.

Please think carefully if you have the right kind of lifestyle for Kwan, it is important to think about his needs, not just that you want him. Sapsaree's live around 12 years and so we are looking for a family to be active and able to pick him up and care for him fully for the next 8 years, by which time he will be slowing down himself, but might need assistance getting up, being picked up ect. Please think about how you envisage your life to be that far in the future.

If you are interested in giving this most precious boy the love, life and home he deserves, please copy and paste the link below to the adoption application, complete and submit.

https://www.giveadogahome-sanantonio.org/forms/form?formid=5838

Our process takes around 1-3 days, and ensuring your references are aware that we will be calling, could speed up the process. Once you have been approved, we discuss any questions in regards to the dog you are wanting to adopt, then you complete and submit the contract and schedule an appointment in the following few days to come and meet the dog. Payment is to be made at the time of adoption. We do not process applications for families who are not able to travel within a week of the application being submitted. 
 

All dogs are located  at the rescue in Sebec, Maine. We post in various states along the east coast and Canada where we have had lots of successful adoptions to enable more exposure for these beautiful saved souls. Families will need to be prepared to travel to the rescue to meet and take home their new best friend. There is a local hotel in Dover-Foxcroft that is pet-friendly (approx 6 miles) and several in Bangor (approx 45 miles). There are also lots of wonderful camp-sites for the more adventurous families and what a great way to get to know your new best friend. If there are options to arrange transport, we will work with you to make it happen. Canadian families need to be prepared to pay the customs sales tax of 15% paid at the border patrol.