Korean Jindo Dog

The Korean Jindo Dog is the most well-known dog to originate in Korea, and they are very highly regarded in their home country. These dogs have earned themselves the reputation of being extremely loyal to their owners. While it was thought that these dogs would make excellent police/military dogs, they were simply too loyal to one specific master, and they couldn’t handle working with multiple different handlers. Their unmatched loyalty makes them incredible companions, and you can be sure that this dog will quickly become your new best friend.

Originating on the island of Jindo, these dogs are believed to have existed for at least 1,500 years. It is not certain where the breed’s ancestors came from, but the leading belief is that they descended from Mongolian dogs that were brought to Korea during the 1270 A.D. Mongol invasion. The Jindo is a pack animal that was used primarily for hunting. They were an invaluable tool for hunters, as a pack of Jindos can take down just about any predator. This dog is so well respected in Korea that you will see statues of them in the country, and they are also considered as Korea's 53rd national treasure.

Weighing between 35-60 pounds, the Jindo still has their high prey drive deeply rooted in them. They will love to chase after just about anything that moves, so it is important to ensure that an off-leash area is well-secured before removing their leash. Taking them to these off-leash areas is a necessity, as they have plenty of energy that they need to get rid of daily. A bored and energetic Jindo will surely seek to destroy things, so it is likely in their owner's best interest to take them for a daily dog park visit.

When given enough exercise, Jindos are calm and gentle animals that love being with their people. They are highly intelligent and will really enjoy learning new tricks. These pups can learn new tricks surprisingly quickly, and with the right owners, they can master the most intricate of tasks. Training them is not always easy, as they also tend to be quite stubborn, which is common for clever dogs. Their owner will need to dedicate a lot of time and energy to training their Jindo, but the payoff is well worth it. The loyalty that this dog displays toward its owner is unique, and the resulting friendship will be something special.

Instagram Photo Permission: @jindojourney