Type the name of the breed you're looking for below
[wpdreams_ajaxsearchlite] Don't see the breed your're looking for? Click here and let us know!
Breed Characteristics
1 paw - breed exhibits the least amount of this characteristic
5 paws - breed exhibits most amount of this characteristic
[fbcomments]
Jindo
| Other Names | Korean Jindo, Jindo, Chindo, Jindo Gae, JindoGae, Jin dog, Jindo Gu (based on the Hanja spelling) |
| Country of Origin | Korea |
| Weight | Males: 35 - 50 lbs. (16 - 23 kg) Females: 25 - 40 lbs. (11 - 18 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 18 - 25 in. (48 - 65 cm) Females: 16 - 22 in. (41 - 58 cm) |
| Coat | Double-coat with medium-length, stiff , somewhat standoff outercoat and soft, dense undercoat. |
| Colour | Jindos come in five colours: White (baekgu)-This colour is actually an off-white or ivory shade with tan or light brown around the tips of the ears, the back of the hind legs, and the tip of the tail. Some whites may have a subtle tan stripe running from the head, down the top line, to the tail. Fawn (hwanggu)-The colour of well-ripened wheat. Grey-This coat looks gray from a distance but is actually made up of individual white, black, and fawn coloured hairs. Black and tan (heukgu)-Black head and upper body with tan on the muzzle, belly, and paws, and an eye-shaped tan spot over each eye. Brindle-Also known as "Tiger" pattern. Thin, dark brown or black stripes like a tiger's on a fawn base. These stripes appear at an early age. Some Jindo Island residents value black, black/red, and red/white Jindos as good hunters. The United Kennel Club recognizes six different coat colours: white, red, fawn, grey, black, black and tan, and brindle (tiger pattern). |
| Litter Size | 6 - 9 puppies with an average of 8 |
| Life Span | 12 - 14 years |
| Origin & History | There is no written record of the origin of the Korean Jindo Dog. Authorities agree that the Jindos originated and existed on Jindo Island for a long time. There have been many theories regarding the origin of Jindo Dog. One of the theories describes Jindo as cross-breeds with Mongolian dogs when Mongol forces invaded Korea around the 13th century. They are now protected under the Cultural Properties Protection Act. In 1962, the Government of South Korea designated the Jindo as the 53rd 'Natural Treasure' (or translated as 'Natural Monument') (천연기념물; 天然記念物)[10] and passed the Jindo Preservation Ordinance. Because of the special status of the Jindo, it is very difficult to export purebred Jindo outside of Korea. Jindos marched in the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea. The United Kennel Club recognized the Jindo on January 1, 1998. The Jindo Dogs Guild of Korea (한국 진돗개 조합), as of 2008, issues certificates of pure Korean Jindo Dog, which specifies the registered number of the mother, sex, and birth date of the dog, as well as breeder's address and whether the dog is of purebred. The breed first appeared in the West in France and has since made its way over to the U.S. There are 25 registered Jindos in the United Kingdom. Also, the Korean government and Samsung have contributed to efforts to gain international recognition for the Jindo. Hunting; The Jindo are renowned for their outstanding hunting ability, due to their courage, cunning, and pack sensibility. Besides the usual prey of medium to large game, their hunting prowess is displayed in a legend of three Jindos that killed a Siberian tiger. They have mainly been used as deer and boar hunters. There have been anecdotal reports of Korean owners being awakened by their Jindo one morning to be led deep into the forest to a deer the dog had taken down alone. There have also been reported cases in America of intruding coyotes being killed by Jindos defending their territory. In traditional Korean hunting without guns, a pack of well trained Jindos was extremely valuable. A master with a loyal pack could hunt without much trouble at all, for when the pack brings down a deer, boar or other target, one of them returns to the master to lead him to the prey, while the others stand guard against scavengers. As police and military dogs; In a 2009 interview with Korea Economic Daily (한국경제), Bak Nam-sun (박남순), an expert search dog handler in South Korea, testified that Jindo dogs are not fit as rescue dogs and search dogs. It is because Jindo dogs' hunting instincts are too strong (they can forget their mission because of their hunting instincts), and they usually give their loyalty only to the first owner, while handlers of search dogs and rescue dogs can frequently change. In 2010, Son Min Suk (손민석), a member of Korean Security Forum, wrote that most of Korean military dogs were German Shepherds, and that Jindo dogs were not fit for military dogs as they were highly likely to escape their duties to find their first handlers who might be discharged from military services, or to come back to their original home. However, efforts to train Jindo dogs as search and rescue dogs continue. In October 2010, the Los Angeles Police Department announced their intent to evaluate the Jindo dog breed for law enforcement service, specifically for patrol and detection service. Four selected Jindo puppies would be distributed to LAPD and Glendale California Police Department to be trained as K9 units. After a year of trying, the trainers found that the dogs did not have the right disposition for police work because they were too easily distracted and too eager to please their masters. Anecdotes on loyalty of Jindos; In 1993, a 7-year-old female Jindo named Baekgu (백구; 白狗; translated as a White Dog), raised by Park Bok-dan (박복단), an 83-year-old woman on Jindo Island, was sold to a new owner in the city of Daejeon which is located about 300 km (180 mi) away from the island. The dog escaped her new home and returned to her original owner, Bak, after 7 months, haggard and exhausted. Baekgu remained with her original owner, who decided to keep the loyal dog, until the dog died of natural causes 7 years later. The story was a national sensation in Korea and was made into cartoons, a TV documentary, and a children's storybook. In 2004, Jindo County erected a statue of Baekgu in her hometown to honor the dog. Another Jindo, also named Baekgu, a 4-year-old male at the time who lived alone with his owner Park Wan Suh (박완서) residing on Jindo Island, did not eat anything and mourned for his dead owner for seven days after the owner died from a liver disease in June 2000. According to Chosun Ilbo, the dog accompanied his dead owner for three days until other people came to find the body, followed the owner to his funeral, and came back home, not eating anything for four days. The Korean Jindo Dog Research Institute (진돗개 시험연구소) brought him under its care, but a person related to the Institute announced that the dog would not interact with anyone except for his feeder as of 2005. |
| Personality | The Jindo is a medium-sized spitz-type dog that originated from the Jindo Island in Korea. Similar in appearance to the smaller Shiba Inu and the larger Akita, it was originally bred for hunting game as small as rodents to as large as deer. Almost all Jindos possess strong wills (even the ones that seem deceptively compliant) and have independent minds. They love to roam and are quite the free spirits. They tend to be the dominant type, trying to get things their own way, and can be very protective of their loved ones and territory. Because of these traits, Jindos are not recommended for inexperienced owners. Like most independent breeds, they need (and thrive under) firm but loving handling and consistency. Owners need to set the rules and stick with them. An owner who has earned the respect of his/her Jindo will be rewarded with unsurpassed loyalty and obedience. As with all breeds, the Jindo temperament varies with the quality of breeding and environment. The typical Jindo is very affectionate with its loved ones and reserved with strangers. A typical Jindo will not show affection toward people it has just met. At its most expressive, it is friendly in a gentle way. It is an excellent watchdog and will guard the home and family to the death if necessary. Early socialization to friendly strangers, other dogs, cats, and especially children is strongly recommended because Jindos are instinctively protective and have high prey drives. Because of their prey drives, they are usually not reliable around smaller animals such as hamsters and rabbits. In Korea, there are no leash laws and Jindos are allowed to roam freely. Their only aggression seems to be directed at other dogs and only as a means of establishing dominance or territories. |
Care Requirements
| Health | There are no known breed-specific health concerns. |
| Grooming | The Jindo has a double coat that sheds heavily twice a year. During the shedding season, extra care must be given to the coat. Warm baths can help the process along. Daily brushing is necessary to remove the undercoat. Otherwise, be prepared for rolling tumbleweeds of undercoat. |
| Exercise | Jindos need room to move. These dogs love to roam and investigate their territory (which, to them, is fairly expansive). Unless well trained on recall, it is highly recommended that Jindos be walked on lead at all times because of their prey drive. A minimum of two daily, 30-minute brisk walks are necessary and should be enough to keep a Jindo happy. While on the walk be sure to not allow the dog to walk in front of the human, as it is a canine instinct for the leader to go first. Although Jindos are not famous for their fetching abilities, they can be trained to fetch which is also an excellent form of exercise. Playing tug-of-war with a Jindo is not recommended unless the owner is assured victory. |
| Other Considerations | The Jindo should be allowed to live indoors with the family as opposed to being relegated to the yard where he might get into mischief out of boredom or loneliness. Jindos have been known to scale walls or fences that were 8 feet high. As independent as he is, his first desire is to be with his owner. As long as they are sufficiently walked, Jindos can be pleasant apartment dwellers due to their natural fastidiousness. Jindos will groom themselves like cats to keep themselves clean. They are very easy to housetrain. |
