The Korean Jindo is a medium-sized, rare spitz breed. “Spitz” is a term that’s used to describe a group of dogs with similar characteristics, namely a thick double coat, a wedge-shaped head, upright triangular ears, and a long tail that curls up and over the back. Also called Northern breeds, spitz breeds are frequently found in cold and snowy parts of the world. The Korean Jindo is a natural breed, meaning it developed without much manipulation from humans.

When paired up with the right person, this breed is loyal, protective, and makes an excellent watchdog that rarely feels separation anxiety or clinginess. A Korean Jindo is also calm, clean, and well-behaved, making it an enjoyable house pet in the right situation. 

Characteristics of the Korean Jindo

The Korean Jindo is beautiful to behold but is also one that demands a specific type of owner. They are tremendously territorial, which makes them great watchdogs. However, their territorial nature means they can be aggressive toward other animals, especially other dogs of the same sex. Korean Jindos are also suspicious of strangers, to the point that it can be difficult to have other people watch the dog if you must be out of town. In the right hands, the Korean Jindo is an exceedingly loyal and faithful companion.

History of the Korean Jindo

The Korean Jindo originated on a small island off the coast of South Korea called Jindo, from which the breed takes its name. The Korean Jindo was known on this island for thousands of years where it lived amongst humans but was allowed to roam freely. They hunted alongside their owners and guarded their homes. In Korea, the Jindo is considered a national treasure. Korean Jindos were included in the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Olympic Games, which were held in Seoul, Korea.  

In the United States, the Korean Jindo is recognized by the United Kennel Club, where it is part of the Northern Breeds group. The Korean Jindo is also part of the Foundation Stock Service in the American Kennel Club, which is the first step toward eventual full recognition of the breed. The Korean Jindo is also recognized by the international kennel club Fédération Cynologique International.

Korean Jindo Care

Korean Jindos were primarily used for hunting and guarding the home. They have lots of energy and tons of prey drive (the instinct to chase and kill animals). Providing lots of outlets for both physical and mental stimulation will allow your Korean Jindo to remain calm and quietly watchful at home.

Exercise

Jindos may not need as much exercise as you might think. If you give them several brisk walks a day that add up to about 30 minutes total, your dog may be satisfied, though they can always go longer if you prefer. Since they are strong and athletic, Korean Jindos will be ready for hunting, jogging, long walks, or hiking, but arduous periods of exercise are not daily necessities. Always keep a Korean Jindo on a leash when out and let it only play in a securely fenced yard. For mental stimulation, Jindos particularly appreciate challenging puzzle toys and squeaking plush toys they can shred (to simulate prey),

Grooming

The Korean Jindo coat is wash-and-wear, and they don’t really need much washing. The Korean Jindo is naturally clean, and its coat smells and feels great even with just occasional baths. They don’t drool and don’t shed much outside of the twice-yearly seasonal shed. During this time the Korean Jindo loses a lot of its undercoat so shedding will be heavy at this time. Extra brushing (even daily) will help keep the shed hair under control. Outside of these seasonal shedding times, the rest of the year the Korean Jindo sheds little and stays neat with just brushing once a week. Trim your Korean Jindo’s nails weekly look inside the ears, cleaning with a pet-safe ear cleaner if they appear dirty.

Training

The Korean Jindo is highly intelligent, but they are not easy to train. They are independent and don’t always have a strong desire to please humans like some other breeds that are eager to learn tricks and commands. Korean Jindos benefit from abundant training and early socialization, especially around children, to help them develop into confident dogs that do not overreact to “suspicious” situations (for instance, friendly strangers coming into the home).

Common Health Problems

In general, the Korean Jindo is a healthy and long-lived breed. According to the national breed club in North America, the Korean Jindo Association of America, a few health conditions have been identified in the breed, including discoid lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease) and hypothyroidism. 

Diet and Nutrition

Feed your Korean Jindo high-quality dog food (ask your breeder or veterinarian for a recommendation). Rather than leaving food out all day (called free feeding), portion out meals with a measuring cup or scale to avoid overfeeding. Free feeding can lead to weight gain. Obesity and being overweight can contribute to health issues and compromise joints. 

Where to Adopt or Buy

The Korean Jindo is a very rare breed. Some adult Korean Jindos or Jindo mixes might find their way into a rescue situation, but usually, people who want a Korean Jindo must look for a reputable breeder for a puppy. The Korean Jindo Association of America publishes a list of breeders on its website. Be prepared to have to wait for some time (even years) for a puppy to become available. Bred puppies may cost on average of between $1,000 to $3,000.

To adopt this breed, try the Treasured K9s, an organization that specializes in rescuing and rehoming Jindos. When adopting, consider that this breed bonds very closely with one owner, and can be difficult to rehome in the event the owner must give the dog up. But you can always discuss this issue with the rehoming organization.

Korean Jindo Overview

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More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you like the Korean Jindo, you might also like to read about these similar breeds:

• Akita 
• Caucasian Shepherd
• Finnish Spitz

There’s a whole world of potential dog breeds out there—with a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!