Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
If you are not a fan of brushing your dog on a weekly level at least three times, then the Jindo isn’t for you. This breed is known for his double-coated coat that should be well-maintained.
These spitz-type dogs are great watchdogs.
With this breed around no one will manage to get around your house without being noticed. Even their appearance expresses that they are great watchdogs, as they have alert eyes and perked ears.
Medium-sized Jindo was developed as a breed on an island off the coast of South Korea.
Even today they are appreciated as independent hunters, loyal companions, and great guardians.
This is a well-proportioned and well-built dog with a vivid expression of agility and strength. Jindo will always prefer to be the only animal in the house.
They will heavily attach to the person who raised them in puppyhood. Although they may accept a new owner, their loyalty goes so hard, that they won’t ever forget the previous owner.
Don’t be too scared of grooming this dog, because Jindo’s are extremely clean. Their double coat repels dirt and water, and they do not normally produce an odor.
To keep shedding at a minimum you need to provide regular brushing with a slick comb. They will blow their coat twice a year.
During this period the entire undercoat will shed over a month or even longer. Keep vacuum cleaner on hand during this period – it will save you a lot of nerves.
Quick Facts
Real name: Korean Jindo Dog
Other names: Korean Jindo, Jindo, JindotGae
Origin: Jindo Island, South Korea
Breed type: Sporting Dogs
Weight: 35 – 60 pounds
Height: 19½ to 21 inches for males and 18½ to 20 inches for females
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Litter Size: 4 – 8 puppies
Color: Red fawn, white, black, black and tan, wolf grey, and brindle
Coat: Harsh and straight coat of medium length
Korean Jindo Dog History
This Korean dog first appeared in the West in France, only to be introduced further to the United Kingdom and the States.
Little is known on this breed’s history except that they are named the 53rd ‘Natural Treasure’ by the Government of South Korea.
The Jindo holds a special status, and today it’s very difficult – if not impossible, to export pure Jingo dogs outside the Korean borders.
This protected dog was mostly researched by Tamezo Mori, a professor of Keijo Imperial University, who registered this breed as 53rd of Natural Treasure of 朝鮮總督府 (the Government-General of Korea) in May, 1938.
It’s still not known how this breed survived, but they are much appreciated within the dog lovers’ circles.
The United Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1998.
How rare are these dogs in the States? Let’s just say that in not that far 2016, only two Jingos were registered.
The United Kingdom leads on this one, with 25 registered Jingos within their borders.
Just to put into perspective how appreciated this breed is in Korea we will share that these proud dogs marched in the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea.
Korean Jindo Dog Physical Apperance
Jindos are spitz-type dogs.
A single look at these dogs is enough to understand that this is a dog of great strength and agility.
To understand better this breed, it’s important to understand that Jindo owners divided this breed into two types:
- Tonggol or Gyeopgae. This type is considered to be more muscular and stocky
- Hudu or Hotgae. This type is described as slim, with a longer muzzle, ears, and head
Jindos are well-proportioned dogs of medium length, with erect ears and a tail of sickle shape.
Eyes are always dark and of an almond shape. Ears are, as mentioned earlier, erect and of medium size. The neck is strong and well-balanced.
Overall, the body is well muscled and lean. The tail is commonly rolled or sickle-shaped, but should never be too curled. However, the tail should always be heavily feathered.
The Korea Jindo Dog has a double coat. The undercoat is always dense and soft, while the outer coat is harsh on the touch.
Jindos usually weigh between 35 to 60 pounds and have 19½ to 21 inches for males and 18½ to 20 inches for females. As usual, females are slightly smaller than males.
Korean Jindo Dog Personality
Jindos are one-of-a-kind dogs when it comes to loyalty and intelligence.
They are highly loyal dogs with a strong need to keep their humans safe and happy. These are ultimate pack dogs who are eager to please.
Being that, they’re easy to train as long as you have enough experience with dog training and dog ownership in general.
As an intelligent breed, they will test you and try to lead you. However, with the right training methods, enough treats, and positive reinforcement they will be well-behaved canines. That being said, expect them to be stubborn in the beginning.
Once you earn their respect, you can expect your Jindo to be loyal, affectionate, and highly trainable. When they are properly trained, Jindos will be confident, tolerant, and gentle.
Korean Jindo Dog Training
Missing training this breed is equal to going through a nightmare. Training is a serious part of every dog’s life, and Jindo is no exception.
The only difference between this breed and any other is that poor training, or even worse no training, will lead to heaving non-social and destructive breed.
To have a well-behaved Jindo around children, other animals, and people in general they should be trained from day one.
Plus, early socialization is something that can only add to the breed’s good behavior.
These dogs are not known for being aggressive or suspicious, but they are known for being highly protective. Add to that strong hunting instinct and poor training, and you will have a very disobeying dog to deal with.
With proper training, Jindo will be a calm dog who will appreciate challenges and rules.
Start training him as soon as you bring him home. Have training toys on hand, next to some great treats. Always reward good behavior.
Never use any harsh training methods. If you feel like you need help with training, think about puppy classes, or hire a professional dog trainer for one-on-one training sessions. Otherwise, keep training sessions consistent, fun, short, and packed with treats.
Korean Jindo Dog Exercise
Have you ever heard of that saying – a tired dog is a happy dog?
No matter how big or small your dog might be, one is for sure dogs – love a good run.
They were bred to have a purpose, a specific task to perform, and giving them a job is something that makes them super happy.
Still, they may not be performing the same tasks today as they did centuries ago, or even decades, but you can still keep them busy. This is why exercising them is so important.
Exercise will help them burn that energy, keep their joints strong and their mind stimulated.
Next to regular walks, Jindo’s owners should provide additional 30-minute activities per day.
Korean Jindo Dog Grooming
The Jindo is a seasonal shedder. Does this mean that you will have seasonally to groom him? No, owning a Jindo is a full-time job in terms of grooming.
Occasional shedding means that you won’t have to spend more than one day of the week brushing him.
Still, they do tend to shed more intensely during the shedding season, which is in spring and autumn.
During the shedding season, you will have to brush him every day. Having the right grooming tools on hand should make the process easier and faster.
Use a comb, deshedder, or pin brush to keep his coat clean, healthy, and shiny. Use brushing time to make a bond with your dog stronger, and search skin for any sign of fleas and skin infection.
By their nature, Jindos are clean dogs. Many would describe them as feline-like dos when it comes to grooming. They even groom themselves.
Within the canine world, this can also be seen in Basenji, a breed that can easily claim trees, just like cats can.
The Korean Jindo Dog is a breed with a double coat, so be careful during hot days.
They may be prone to heatstroke, so make sure that stay in when it is too hot. Never leave your dog in the car, or in front of a store if the day is hot, or humid.
The rest is basic care:
- Bathe only when needed
- Trim or grind nails monthly
- Check eyes are gums weekly
Korean Jindo Dog Health
Jindos owners would say that these dogs are healthy and long-loved if you provide the proper care.
Health issues in this breed aren’t life-threatening and there are only a few recorded so far.
As major issues in Jindos, breeders point hypothyroidism and discoid lupus.
Talking with your veterinarian about these issues can help you prevent these issues and keep him alive longer.
Dealing with responsible dog breeders only can guarantee that you are getting a healthy puppy.
Responsible dog breeders will screen puppies for most common issues in the breed and present you with medical documentation on their condition.
Most importantly, they will not give you a puppy with any problem, or at least they will inform you and let you make the decision.
The National Breed Club recommends the following tests:
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Patella Evaluation
- Thyroid Evaluation
- OFA Hip X-Ray (or PennHip)
Otherwise, you should take your Jindo to the vet as soon as you bring him home.
Learn which human foods are a big no-no, and which bite you can share with your canine.
For example, salty popcorn is a big no, while a cucumber is a safe and healthy snack, especially during the summer days. Know how much to feed your dog, when, and why you should serve your Jindo food after an intense workout.
Provide high-quality food, parasite control, and stick to the vaccination schedule.
Add to that the right amount of exercise and love and your Jindo will reach happy and active senior days.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d_UNXqr5_k
Is Korean Jindo Dog For You?
If you are a first time dog owner, this breed isn’t for you. No matter how much you want this breed, and no matter how well care you could provide, this breed is for experienced dog owners, who know how to handle powerful, muscular, and often stubborn Jindo.
On the other hand, if you know your way around dogs and you know how to train strong-willed breeds, then this is a breed to consider having.
If you want a dog who is super-clean, aloof with strangers, of a powerful body, and is very quiet and calm, but also extremely loyal and protective this is the breed to consider having.
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