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'On the Eve of the First World War, the single Siberian province of Irkutsk was larger than all of India'
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Desperate effort to save Sakhalin Laika from extinction on its native island

By 0 and 0 and 0
03 November 2015

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 Sergey Lyubykh, the first activist of Sakhalin Laika revival, and his dog sledge. Picture: Sakhalin Info

The ancient breed of sled dog - also known as Karafuto-ken - were noticed by Russian and Japanese explorers in Sakhalin which the native Nivkh people bred and use for winter transport. With big paws helping them run in snow, their muscular body allows them to drag over 70 kilograms of cargo, and they can cross long distances in a few days.

Karafuto-ken


Karafuto-ken


Karafuto-ken

 Their penchant for being fed on salmon is seen as the key to their almost catastrophic decline. Pictures: Sakhalin Info

They were used by explorers who travelled to Franz Josef Land, the conquerors of northern Alaska, and explorers of the South Pole. For example, several ledges pulled by this breed were used by Captain Robert Falcon Scott in Antarctica. 

Karafuto-ken


Karafuto-ken

 In the 1930s, the dogs were killed massively, starting a decline that now puts the breed in grave danger on the island. Pictures: Sakhalin Info, Boris Yellinsky

They were used in the Red Army due to their strength, stamina and brain. But their penchant for being fed on salmon is seen as the key to their almost catastrophic decline. 

The Soviet military found that feeding a Karafuto-ken was more expensive than feeding a horse. Soviet experts calculated that Sakhalin Laikas ate up to 4,000 tons of salmon a year, fish that could otherwise be exported. 

Karafuto-ken


Karafuto-ken


Karafuto-ken

 Sled enthusiasts are 'optimistic' they can revive the breed on Sakhalin. Pictures: Sakhalin Info, Boris Yellinsky

In the 1930s, the dogs were killed massively, starting a decline that now puts the breed in grave danger on the island. Despite this, sled enthusiasts are 'optimistic' they can revive the breed on Sakhalin.

Nikolay Chalin, a sled-sport enthusiast, said: 'We've already written to the governor and asked to give us a plot for a breeding station.' Dmitry Tretyakov, head of Wings of Sakhalin', said: 'We've already submitted papers to create a fund. The governor got interested in the breed.'

Comments (13)

Watch this movie about Karafuto-ken sled dogs.
Antarctica (Nankyoku monogatari; 1983_Koreyoshi Kurahara)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085991/?ref_=ttsnd_snd_tt
Haru Ki, Canada
14/12/2021 06:27
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Really hope that the karafuto can be saved..I have an Akita crossed with this breed she is called ki ki and she has very strong characteristics of the karafuto…!!
Stephen john, England
22/09/2021 23:05
1
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Are they still alive (please don't leave then to go to extinction).
Victoria Martinez, USA
12/02/2021 21:36
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I hope something can be done. I just read about them today. I read the last breeder died in 2012 i think and didnt think there was enough left to bring them back, but i wonder how many are female and male. Is there still only 7 left. How many puppies are normally in their litter? Its been awhile since ive seen 8 below, i dont remember the end credits or the what happened to...mentioning the breed. This movie shouldve helped the breed. I wonder if any profit from the movie or its dvd has gone to support the breed in any way.
Ann p, Goose creek, sc
20/07/2020 18:53
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Has their been any update on these dogs? I hope they recover, they are such a wonderful breed.
Carveen Waldorf, Alaska, America
21/05/2020 00:58
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What can we do to HELP THESE DOGS FROM EXTINCTION?/ What address do we send check to save these animals---
TERRY M, USA FLORIDA
10/11/2019 10:56
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I would like to know if there’s any (good) news about this issue and if there’s anything that can be done to help saving this beautiful breed.
Lara LS, Italy
01/08/2019 22:43
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I've read about these beautiful sled dogs and it would be a terrible shame if they became extinct in a few short years. I'm praying that this breed will make a comeback in a few short years and will no longer be close to the extinct. I hope that if this breed would be introduced to the United States someday when the breed has increased to several hundred or more, I would love to someday own a couple for a sled dog team. As a Christian, I believe that God will find a way to save these magnificent dogs from extinction.
Alexander D. Hyatt, McDonough, GA/USA
18/09/2018 09:02
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I was named after a Greenland husky dog and feel very passionate about this cause. Best of luck!
Bjorn Netland, Port Gamble, Washington/USA
06/06/2017 02:33
6
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how can you make sure they survive from extinction
Regards
Peter
peter, canada
03/06/2017 10:02
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Far too many historic indigenous Sleddog breeds are declining into extinction. We need to step up and protect the Nordic Breeds who helped us to explore the most inhospitable places on the planet and are necessary to support the indigenous to maintain their cultures and allow them to continue to teach the generations to come.
Shelley Lawrence, Scotland, UK
01/06/2017 16:41
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A beautiful breed, almost a cross between wolf and husky...why would these dogs be used for a multitude of benefits then slaughtered for fear of ebb to monetary resources. Surely salmon is not their only menu?
Carmen, Ireland
04/11/2015 06:26
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WE NEED MORE DIMTRY'S IN THE WORLD -IT WOULD BE A MORE PEACEFULL PLACE
THANKS FOR CARING ABOUT A BEATIFUL BEED OF DOG
RICKY BREAUX, SOUTH LOUISIANA--U.S.A
04/11/2015 02:59
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