The Korean Jindo Dog is a hunting breed that originated from Jindo Island in Korea. Although relatively unknown outside of Korea, he is highly celebrated and valued for his fierce loyalty and bravery. The Jindo is a medium-sized dog, weighing between 25 and 50 pounds. It has double hair and looks like a saliva-type dog. There are two body styles, Gyupgae and Heutgae. Gyupgae describes a shorter, more compact and more muscular body, while Heutgae expresses a slender dog, with less chest depth and a longer back. Korean law only officially recognizes that white and yellow Jindos are the correct color. However, the United Kennel Club recognizes five different coat colors: white, fawn, gray, black and tan, and brindle.
There is no written record of Jindo’s history. However, experts agree that the Jindo dog originated on Jindo Island. They were probably bred to hunt wild boar, rabbits, badgers, and deer. They are also known to hunt extremely dangerous animals, such as Siberian tigers. Jindos are one of three known dog breeds that have been able to hunt tigers. They are renowned for their hunting ability due to their courage, cunning, and sensitivity in the herd. There are anecdotal stories in Korea about homeowners waking up early in the morning to have their Jindo lead them to a deer they killed during the night. There are also stories of intruder coyotes killed by Jindos in the United States.
Another favorite tale about a Jindo dog occurred in 1993. Baekgu, a 7-year-old female Jindo, was sold to a different owner in a town about 185 miles from her original owner. She escaped from her new home and traveled 7 months back to her former owner, arriving in a condition of skin and bones. Baekgu became a national sensation and has a statue erected in his honor in Jindo County.
Jindo dogs are considered a national monument of Korea. They are protected by the Cultural Property Protection Law under the “Jindo Preservation Ordinance”. Additionally, the breed marched in the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. The United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized the breed in 1998, but the American Kenner Club still does not recognize the breed.
The Jindo dog is a loyal and friendly family pet. Because they are such a loyal species and a good watchdog, Jindos can be aggressive towards strangers. If you are interested in learning more about how to handle this problem, this pet aggression website can provide helpful information.