Seskar seal dog Urho enjoys freedom in Someron Koirametsä dog forest
One of Someron Koirametsä’s regular visitors is Urho, a 6-year-old Seskar seal dog who, along with his sister Nuppu, a Lapponian herder, and his friend Nalle, was a key inspiration behind the creation of the entire dog forest. Urho’s favorite things in the world are food, eating, and treats, but as an active dog, he also needs plenty of exercise and stimulation. Urho loves visits to the dog forest and could easily spend hours there. So, what does Urho enjoy doing the most in the dog forest?
A rare Seskar seal dog – Urho’s heritage and story
For Urho, the best thing about the dog forest is digging. His long nose sniffs the ground efficiently, and in no time, he locates something interesting beneath the surface. Urho pushes his nose deeper among the blueberry shrubs and starts digging with his front paws. He pauses occasionally, ears perked, listening carefully, and then resumes digging. It’s easy to understand why dogs and their sharp senses have been used to assist humans in hunting for thousands of years.
The Seskar seal dog is one of the rarest Finnish dog breeds. In fact, it is a reconstruction of a spitz-type dog that was once used for seal hunting on the outer islands of the Gulf of Finland. The breed is named after the island of Seskar. You can read more about Seskar seal dogs on the Seiskarinkoirakerho association’s website.
Dogs like Urho were likely used to assist in seal hunting in ancient times. The sharp senses of the Seskar seal dog made finding seals far more efficient than humans could manage. Ringed seals don’t live in herds like grey seals but instead alone, and the dogs’ task in early spring was to locate ringed seals’ dens and breathing holes without barking, so as not to scare the pups or adult seals under the ice. Urho doesn’t bark either, but there’s no mistaking his expression. Somewhere deep underground is a vole that the seal dog senses, trusting his innate hunting skills.
When the digging is done, Urho moves on to his next favorite activity: rolling among the shrubs. Urho loves rolling, especially in the snow during winter. It’s delightful to watch him rub his brown-and-black coat against the ground, looking so happy after each roll. Urho gets up and gives himself a light shake. Dirt easily falls off his short, water-repellent coat. Then, he sets off again to sniff the terrain.
In the peaceful surroundings of Someron Koirametsä dog forest, Urho can truly be himself: a joyful, curious, and active Seskar seal dog who lives in the moment and thoroughly enjoys every forest outing. Urho’s passion for digging reminds us why a place like this, dedicated to dogs, is so valuable. Here, the Seskar seal dog can truly be a Seskar seal dog. Read more about the rules here and come enjoy the best dog forest in the Southern Finland with your dog!
In the Dog visitors’ stories series, we share heartwarming and fun stories from visitors to Someron Koirametsä. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to share your dog’s adventures in the dog forest!
