Korea Jindo Dog
Other names: Korean Jindo, Jindo, Chindo, Jindo Gae, JindoGae
Korea Natural Treasure #53, as she’s sometimes known, is a smart, sensitive, and loyal spitz-type dog originating from the South Korean island of Jindo. There she dwelt, unfettered, for many centuries, hunting alongside her masters; today, she has become a small-scale international hit – helped, no doubt, by a starring role marching in the opening ceremony for the Seoul Olympics in 1988. Bright, adorable, and self-reliant, these angular doggos love exercise and games but hate water. Tough when you live on an island, eh?
Key facts about the Korea Jindo Dog
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Origins and history
The Jindo evolved into a great hunter and companion over thousands of years on her island, Jindo, off the southwest coast of Korea. She achieved ‘national treasure’ status in 1962 and wider fame after the news story about the Jindo who ran 180 miles back to her owner in 1993.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 5 - Spitz and primitive types
Section
Section 5 : Asian Spitz and related breeds
Physical characteristics of the Korea Jindo Dog
Adult size
Female : Between 18 and 20 in
Male : Between 20 and 22 in
Weight
Female : Between 33 and 42 lb
Male : Between 40 and 51 lb
Coat colour
Red fawn, white, black, black and tan, wolf grey, or brindle.
Type of coat
Double: soft, dense undercoat and stiff outer coat.
Eye colour
Dark brown.
Description
Looking somewhat like a Korean take on the Japanese Shibu-Inu, the Korea Jindo Dog is a tidy, well-proportioned cutie who will draw the attention of admirers with her perky equilaterally triangular ear flaps. A curved, sickle shaped brush of a tail at the other end keeps you drawn-in. Wolfish, only prettier, the Korea Jindo Dog is muscular under that fur. The fur can be one or two of several colours, and she’s particularly irresistible when her ears are a different colour to the rest. The female is more angular about the head and slighter than the male; but Jindo-fanciers also distinguish between different body types, the stocky Tonggo and the slender but more pronounced Hudu. Hudu? She do.
Good to know
It’s illegal to export Korea Jindo Dogs out of Korea, but a few have been gathered in the US and in France.
Temperament
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Affectionate
The Korea Jindo Dog is a primitive dog and not very demonstrative. She usually keeps her distance.
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Playful
She can get annoyed by silly games.
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Calm
The Korea Jindo Dog is moderately calm at home, and knows how to be discreet.
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Intelligent
This is one sharp operator. She has a very strong sense of direction, and in her home country her skills allow her to access locations in police searches.
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Hunter
This dog is a natural hunter and her hunting instincts are not far below the surface.
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Fearful / wary of strangers
She is reserved around strangers, does not like to be caressed, and will not trust easily.
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Independent
She is both independent and free-spirited; she loves to roam freely, come up with her own ideas, and to act stubbornly on occasion.
Behaviour of the Korea Jindo Dog
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Tolerates solitude
Independent and globally unsociable, this dog can easily tolerate the absences of her masters. She does, however, need to be left with something interesting to occupy her time.
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Easy to train / obedience
She’s clever enough to learn, but her free-spiritedness means that perseverance is necessary. With a skilled master, a beautiful partnership can be achieved.
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Barking
She can bark to alert to an intruder.
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Tendency to run away
She does like to pursue freedom when given the opportunity and is an excellent escapologist; however, famously in the 1990s a Jindo ran away from her new owner, 180 miles back to her original owner. Is that really running away?
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Destructive
Inactivity can lead to destructive behaviour.
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Greedy / Gluttony
The Korea Jindo Dog eats very modestly, but treats can be a good incentive for training purposes.
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Guard dog
She can make a very effective watchdog and guard dog as she is alert and protective. Historically, she has often found work as a guard.
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First dog
The Korea Jindo Dog is not the ideal choice for first dog as she requires the firm hand of an experienced dog trainer. Her stubborn temperament can be tricky for first-timers and young families.
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Is the Korea Jindo Dog right for you?
take the testLifestyle
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Korea Jindo Dog in a flat
She is not as averse to apartment life as you might think. A roomy flat can serve well as long as she is walked several times a day.
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Need for exercise / Sporty
The Korea Jindo Dog is athletic and energetic and needs a good amount of outdoor exercise and indoor stimulation and play on a daily basis.
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Travelling / easy to transport
Her average size does not pose a problem, as long as she is well-socialized to changes of environments.
Compatibility
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Korea Jindo Dog and cats
She is not to be trusted with cats she does not know as they may fall foul of her hunting instincts.
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Korea Jindo Dog and dogs
She’s not super-big on other dogs, especially males. In addition, same-sex Jindo Dogs can even struggle to live together in harmony.
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Korea Jindo Dog and children
She is playful and loving with respectful children, although may be a bit full on for smaller, more delicate ones.
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Korea Jindo Dog and the elderly
The Korea Jindo Dog is not docile, and may not be suitable for less active people.
Price
We do not have enough data to set an average price. Looking after a dog of this size typically costs between £60 to £90 a month, including food, medical/insurance, and incidental expenses.
Grooming
This dog likes to keep herself clean, but if you don’t help her out she’s likely to become unhappy: weekly brushing should satisfy her.
Nutrition of the Korea Jindo Dog
For this primitive dog, it is better to opt for a traditional diet based on raw meat, fresh vegetables and starchy foods. One quiet evening meal a day is enough. The Jindo doesn’t eat much, so if you are concerned she is under-eating then consult her vet before taking other steps.
Health of the Korea Jindo Dog
Life expectancy
This breed is generally very healthy with few genetic illnesses and an average life expectancy of 12 years.
Strong / robust
This is usually a fit and healthy dog that will lead a long and decent existence.
Withstand heat
She is moderately tolerant of hot weather, but will require a cool shelter in a heat wave.
Withstand cold
She can easily live outside because her double coat will protect her from cold weather.
Tendency to put on weight
She is neither a big eater nor a big grower.