Korean Jindo

• ExerciseHigh

  Needs a good workout or long walk every day.

• GroomingBrush a few times a week

  Brushing several times a week prevents mats.

• Living spaceFlexible

  Adapts to most homes with enough activity.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment12–15 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Hip dysplasia · Hypothyroidism · Allergies

The Korean Jindo comes from Jindo Island off the southwest coast of South Korea, where it developed in relative isolation as a hunting dog capable of tracking and holding large game. It is designated a Natural Monument in South Korea, and exporting one from the island is restricted. It is a classic spitz in build, with a wedge head, erect ears and a curled tail. Jindos are famous for loyalty, and the stories are not exaggerated: the breed forms an intense attachment to one primary owner and there are documented cases of Jindos travelling long distances to return to a former home. That intensity has consequences. Rehoming an adult Jindo is genuinely difficult, and the breed is reserved to aloof with strangers, often assertive with unfamiliar dogs, and equipped with a very high prey drive that makes it unsafe around cats and small animals and unreliable off lead. It is also a skilled escape artist and needs high, secure fencing. On the other hand it is remarkably clean, almost cat-like in self-grooming, easy to house-train, quiet, and undemanding indoors. It needs about an hour of daily exercise and mental work, and training must respect its independence: it learns very quickly but complies only when the relationship is right, and harsh handling destroys trust. The dense double coat sheds heavily twice a year and needs regular brushing. Health is generally robust, with hypothyroidism the most commonly reported inherited concern.

• How much exercise does a Korean Jindo need?

  High. Needs a good workout or long walk every day.

• How much grooming does a Korean Jindo need?

  Brush a few times a week. Brushing several times a week prevents mats.

• Is a Korean Jindo suited to apartment living?

  Flexible. Adapts to most homes with enough activity.

• Is a Korean Jindo a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Korean Jindo live?

  12–15 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Korean Jindo?

  Keep an eye out for Hip dysplasia, Hypothyroidism, Allergies. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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