What is the most popular pet dog in Korea

25 Most Popular Dog Breeds in South Korea

Kawaii Canines: 25 Most Adorable Dog Breeds in South Korea

South Koreans love their furry friends, and its easy to see why. From fluffy Pomeranians to regal Jindos, these pups are not only cute but also beloved members of South Korean families. Here are the 25 most popular dog breeds in South Korea:

1. Pomeranian
2. Maltese
3. Shih Tzu
4. Yorkshire Terrier
5. Chihuahua
6. Miniature Pinscher
7. Dachshund
8. Toy Poodle
9. Bichon Frise
10. Pekingese
11. Welsh Corgi
12. French Bulldog
13. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
14. Beagle
15. Bulldog
16. Golden Retriever
17. Labrador Retriever
18. Pug
19. Siberian Husky
20. Shar Pei
21. Chow Chow
22. Samoyed
23. Shetland Sheepdog
24. Border Collie
25. Jindo

From Pomeranians to Jindos: Meet South Koreas Beloved Furry Friends

Pomeranians are a favorite in South Korea due to their fluffy and cute appearance. These tiny dogs are energetic and playful, making them perfect for families with children. Maltese also rank high in popularity, with their gentle nature and affectionate disposition.

Shih Tzus are another breed adored by South Koreans. With their long, silky hair and sweet personalities, they make wonderful companions. Yorkshire Terriers are also popular, known for their feisty spirit and loyalty to their owners.

Chihuahuas may be small, but they are mighty in popularity in South Korea. These tiny dogs are full of energy and personality, making them a favorite among city dwellers. Jindos, on the other hand, are a larger breed that are highly valued for their loyalty and intelligence.

Overall, South Koreas love for dogs is evident in their appreciation of these 25 popular breeds. From Pomeranians to Jindos, these furry friends have captured the hearts of South Koreans and continue to bring joy to their families each day.

7 Korean Dog Breeds: Pictures, Facts & History

Most countries have dog breeds that are native to them, but what sort of dog breeds are native to Korea? Korea only has seven dog breeds that are considered Korean, with many breeds being somewhat similar in appearance. Several of these breeds are also incredibly rare inside and outside the country.

Want to learn more about Korean dog breeds? Below youll find the seven native breeds, along with information about their history, appearance, and more. Keep reading!

How Are Korean Dog Breeds Classified?

What classifies a dog breed as a Korean one? Korean dog breeds are considered native to Korea. Though many of the breeds listed below were not originally native to the country (it is widely believed most of these breeds were introduced to Korea from Mongolia in the 13th century), they have, at this point, been in the country long enough to be considered a part of the nations history, and thus, native. Unfortunately, several of them are also currently facing the risk of extinction. However, organizations are hard at work trying to preserve the bloodlines of these canines.

The 7 Korean Dog Breeds

Below youll find the seven dog breeds native to Korea! From the Korean Jindo to the Jeju Dog, each is unique (and, of course, super cute!).

1. Donggyeongi Dog

Donggyeongi dogs look very similar to the Korean Jindo, except for one notable differencetheir naturally occurring bobbed tails. This breed was quite popular in Korea but is extremely rare these days. Why did the Donggyeongi become so rare?

First was the Japanese occupation of Korea; the Japanese found these dogs to closely resemble the Japanese Komainu, so they destroyed every Donggyeongi they came across, nearly making the breed extinct. And even after the Japanese were gone, these canines never regained popularity because people began to believe their short tails would bring about bad luck and didnt want them as pets any longer.

Though there arent many left these days, they are now a protected breed, so hopefully, their numbers will increase. The Donggyeongi dog is a hunting dog that can be a challenge to train. The medium-sized breed comes in cream, brown, black, and occasionally white.

2. Jeju Dog

The Jeju Dog is, of course, named for Jeju Island, a large island off Koreas southern coast and the origin of this breed. The Jeju is one of the largest native dogs in Korea and has many similarities with the Korean Jindo. However, the Jeju has a pointy forehead that gives females a fox-like look and males a wolf-like one.

Jeju Dogs are rare, too; in fact, they were almost completely wiped out in the 1980s, with only three of these canines still alive at the time. Those three pups were used to help revitalize the dying breed, though, and there are now at least 100 Jeju Dogs in Korea.

The Jeju Dog comes in gray or white and makes a fabulous guard dog due to their alert nature and innate wariness of strangers.

3. Korean Jindo

When you think of Korean dog breeds, the Korean Jindois likely the first dog that comes to mind, as this breed is the most well-known. This breed is also the 53rd national monument of Korea! But perhaps the reason the Korean Jindo is so popular and well-known is due to the stories about them. There was Baekgu, a Korean Jindo that spent 7 months traveling 186 miles to find their master. Then theres the tale of three of these canines taking down a Siberian tiger. Its easy to see why theyre so well-liked.

Other than tales and legends, though, the Korean Jindo simply makes a wonderful companion. Though these are hunting dogs with high prey drives, the breed is incredibly loyal and courageous and can form strong bonds with people, making them excellent pets and guard dogs for families. The breed has also been used as military dogs but tends to do better in search and rescue.

The Korean Jindo can come in brown, cream, or white and is the only dog breed in Korea that is recognized by the Korean Kennel Federation.

4. Korean Mastiff (Dosa Dog)

The Korean Mastiff (known as Mee Kyun Dosa or the Dosa Dog in Korea) is the largest of the native Korean breeds and also one of the rarest. A breed that can end up being 185 pounds, these dogs can look a bit intimidating, but theyre quite gentle and sweet. The Korean Mastiff is also a newer breed, as its only been around for roughly 200 years.

Theyre probably best known for their looks; besides being extremely large, this canine breed has ample folds of loose skin that hang over the head, face, and neck. The Korean Mastiff comes in chocolate or mahogany and is bred as both a companion dog and a show dog.

5. Nureongi Dog

If youre wondering why the lifespan of the Nureongi dog is unknown, its because this Spitz-like dog breed is more often raised to be meat rather than as a companion, so its difficult to say how long their lifespans are. Korea has a tradition of eating dog meatthough it certainly isnt part of a regular diet and is now heavily restricted in the countryand this landrace breed provides a good majority of the meat consumed.

The Nureongi breed is similar in looks to the Korean Jindo (some believe they are actually ancestors of the Jindos), but there are a few differences. For one, Neurongis tend to have a pattern on their face that makes them seem as if theyre wearing a mask. They also have short coats featuring yellow patches.

This breed has been used as hunting dogs in the past due to their intelligence, athleticism, and agility. They are also quite devoted to their favorite humans and are incredibly gentle.

6. Pungsan Dog

The Pungsan Dog is the only canine breed on this list from North Korea rather than South Korea. Coming from the Hermit Kingdom, not much is known about the breed, and these pups are rare. However, a few have been gifted from the leader of North Korea to other nations in the past, such as in 2000, when Kim Jong-il gave two of these dogs to the South Korean president, Kim Dae-jung.

What we do know about the Pungsan Dog is that, for a very long time, it was bred to be a hunting dog and is the official dog breed of North Korea. These dogs look similar to the Korean Jindo but are taller and often a bit fluffier.

7. Sapsali

Finally, we have the Sapsali, one of the cutest of the Korean dog breeds with its long, shaggy coat, and this is a breed that has a special place in Korean folklore and history. Also known as the Ghost Dog, the Sapsali is thought to frighten away evil ghosts and spirits. Though the origins of the Sapsali arent entirely clear, theyre thought to have been around since the Three Kingdom period of Korea, which was from 37 B.C. to 668 A.D. They were exceptionally popular in the Silla Kingdom, where they were kept by aristocrats and enrolled by noblemen into the kingdoms military.

Though the breed was once on the edge of extinction, it has been revitalized, and the Sapsali is now a national monument of South Korea. These medium-sized canines are often called lion dogs by locals due to their shaggy coats and come in red, gold, black, brown, gray, or a mix of these colors. The breed is known for being silly and laidback, making them a popular pet.

Conclusion

There you have it, the seven native Korean dog breeds! Though some of these canines werent always native to the country, theyve been around long enough that they are now considered Korean breeds. Many of them are quite similar in appearance, but all are unique. Most of the dogs are also on the rarer side, with a few having been close to extinction in the past. Luckily, many organizations are working to revitalize these breeds, so maybe one day, youll be able to find them outside of Korea, too.

Featured Image Credit: juwan0419, Shutterstock

4 Most Popular Korean Dog Breeds

Korean dog breeds are some of the most intelligent and fun-loving creatures in the world.

They are unique not just because of their origin, but in most cases, they have been reared differently from dogs in the Western world.

On this page, you will find detailed information about the most popular Korean dog breeds, including their history, behavioral tendencies, grooming, and a range of other facts to help you learn more about these fantastic canines.

One of the Korean dog breeds' unique selling points is that they were always raised as guard dogs, so they are fiercely protective of their owners.

Sadly, Korean dogs have not always been regarded as companion pets.

It is a part of the Korean heritage to eat dogs, and to this day, Koreans consume approximately one million dogs per year.

However, due to several animal rights groups' campaigns, this practice is slowly coming to an end, and a lot more Koreans have started treating dogs like the precious creatures they are.

Here is everything you need to know about some of the most popular Korean dog breeds.

The 4 Most Popular Dog Breeds from Korea

1. Sapsali

The Sapsali originates from an ancient Korean Kingdom called Silla. They have always been an important part of Korean society.

The breed was used by the military, who viewed them as a good luck charm because of their power to keep the enemy at bay.

The Sapsali was not actually given a specific job in the military, for the soldiers, they played a symbolic role and they felt safer when these dogs were around.

The Sapsali were originally bred for the aristocrats and the royals, but they later became a household pets for anyone who could afford them.

Unfortunately, the breed almost became extinct during the First and Second World Wars because so many of them were slaughtered and killed for their fur and skin.

The Korean government crowned the breed a national treasure in 1992.

Behavior and Temperament

The Sapsali is a faithful, loving, and kind dog; they are also fiercely loyal to their owners and make the perfect companion pets.

If a person they do not recognize enters their territory, they will resort to excessive barking to intimidate them. But once they see that the individual is accepted by the family, they calm down.

The Sapsali typically does well with other animals, but depending on the situation, they do have the potential to become aggressive when other dogs are around.

They do get along well with children, although they should never be left alone with them because they are strong dogs and can get boisterous when excited.

The Sapsali dog is also known as a therapy dog in Korean hospitals, and there have been many reports of them providing comfort to distressed patients.

The Sapsali is a highly intelligent dog, and they learn very quickly. They are easy to train because they desperately want to please their owners and will do their best to perform any given task well.

As with all dogs, they enjoy positive reinforcement and being praised when they do a good job.

These canines do not require excessive amounts of exercise; a walk once a day with some play time in between is enough to satisfy them.

You can keep them in an apartment or a small home as long as you take them outside to get a workout.

Grooming

The Sapsali is considered a high-maintenance breed. They need grooming more than once a week to keep their coats looking healthy and to prevent them from tangling.

It is advised that you have them professionally groomed at least once a year. A failure to properly groom the Sapsali will cause severe matting, skin inflammation, and irritation.

Brush their teeth once a day, trim their nails once or twice a month, and tend to their ears each time they are groomed.

Additional Information

• Lifespan: 10 12 years
• Colors: Golden, yellowish-blonde, reddish-orange, brown, black
• Weight: 34 60 lbs
• Height: 19 23 inches
• Hypoallergenic: No

Fun Fact: The Sapsali was saved from extinction by the geneticist Ha Ji-Hong, who kept the breed alive by combining advances in DNA technology with traditional breeding.

2. Tosa Inu

This breed originated in Japan but later found its way to Korea. Unfortunately, these precious canines are nicknamed meat dogs because, for meat lovers, their meat is tender and juicy.

They are typically sold in the Korean market, not as a pet but as a commodity. This enormous, splendid heavyweight of a dog is a distant relative of the Mastiff.

Activist groups such as the Humane Society International have been campaigning against the Tosa Inus's cruel treatment for many years.

Behavior and Temperament

The Tosa Inu is a loyal and affectionate breed; they dont bark much, and neither do they like being around a lot of noise.

One of the reasons why these dogs are so quiet is that they were originally bred as Japanese fighting dogs, and a major rule during a fight is silence.

These canines are very sensitive to their owner's voice and listen attentively to commands. It is a natural guard dog, and they are fearless, courageous, and extremely protective.

If you are getting a dog for the first time, this is not the breed for you because they need a firm hand in obedience training from an early age.

The Tosa loves being around children, but as with all dogs, they should not be left alone with them unsupervised.

The Tosa Inu is not outdoor friendly and wont do well in a kennel. They must be kept inside, close to their owners, or your dog will get depressed.

This breed does not need a lot of exercise, but they must go for a walk or a jog at least once a day.

They do well in apartments as long as you are consistent in taking them outside once a day. The Tosa Inu also require plenty of mental stimulation because they are highly intelligent.

Grooming

The Tosa is a low-maintenance breed; although they have a dense coat, it only needs brushing once a week with a slicker or a light bristle brush.

They are light shedders but massive droolers because of their large jowls. So always make sure youve got a drool rag at hand at all times.

Bathing them once a month will suffice; you can give them baths in between this time if required. Brush your dog's teeth daily, check and clean their ears once a month, and cut their nails twice a month.

Additional Information

• Lifespan: 10 -12 years
• Colors: Red, brindle, fawn, black
• Weight: 100 200 lbs
• Height: 21.5 23.5 inches
• Hypoallergenic: No

Fun Fact: Despite its quiet nature, the Tosa Inu is known as one of Korea's most dangerous dogs.

3. Jindo

The history of the Jingo dog is surrounded by mystery; it has been left to speculation as to how they came about because no written records have been found about them.

Experts agree that the breed has been around for centuries, but how they got to the island of Jindo is unknown.

One of the most recounted theories is that the breed originated from Mongolia and was brought to Korea during the Mongol invasion of 1270 A.D.

Behavior and Temperament

The Jindo is renowned for its intelligence and loyalty. They have a pack mentality which makes them easy to train and eager to please.

However, because they are so smart, they are not loyal to everyone. Once they respect you as their owner, they wont waiver in their loyalty towards you.

If they dont, you will find this breed difficult to deal with. In other words, they are only easy to train once you have earned their respect.

Despite their loving and loyal personalities, it is essential that the Jindo is socialized early or they can get very aggressive around strangers.

These canines love being around their owners and dont do well outside unless they are exercising or playing. They are prone to separation anxiety, and when left alone for too long, they resort to destructive behavior.

Grooming

One of the major benefits of owning a jingo is that they are exceptionally clean. Their coats clean themselves, and they do not require frequent bathing.

Three times a year is enough. Additionally, they groom themselves like cats; the only problem with the Jindos coat is that they shed a lot throughout the year, but even more so during the summer months.

Brush their teeth once a month and cut their toenails twice a month.

Additional Information

• Lifespan: 14 years
• Colors: Black and tan, brindle, black, white
• Weight: 30 50 lbs
• Height: 18 22 inches
• Hypoallergenic: No

Fun Fact: A Jindo dog marched in the open ceremonies of the Korean Olympics in 1988.

4. Pungsan Dog

You will also hear about the Pugsan dog, referred to as the Poongsan dog. It is one of the rarest Korean dog breeds.

It came about during the 16th century and was developed in the North Korean mountains. There are no records about their heritage, and experts have spent many years speculating about it.

Behavior and Temperament

The Pungsan dog is best known for its bravery when hunting and loyalty to its owner. It has a high prey drive, making the breed unsuitable for multi-animal households.

They will quickly eliminate small pets such as rabbits and cats. However, they can live with other dogs as long as theyve been socialized with them from a young age.

The Pungsan is a fiercely independent breed, but at the same time, they thrive on human interaction. Therefore, despite their powerful hunting ability, they enjoy being at home with the family, and they love to take part in family gatherings.

They are very affectionate and are known to have favorites in a family to whom they will display more affection than others.

Nevertheless, they still show love to other family members. They withdraw from strangers but dont act aggressively with them.

These canines are known for their superior guard dog capabilities; they are very territorial and will not back down from protecting their household against a threat.

The breed must be trained well from a young age or they will become hostile and unpredictable in their behavior.

If you are a first-time dog owner, this is not the breed for you because they need an experienced trainer.

The Pungsan is a very large and powerful dog, and they need a lot of exercise to keep them fit and healthy. They enjoy activities such as hunting, agility courses, and hiking.

They also like roaming around alone without a lead; it is safer not to do this in public because their hunter instincts will kick in when they see a small animal.

Therefore, if you are going to allow your dog to go wandering, do so in your fenced-back garden.

Grooming

The Pungsan breed has a lot of furs, and they shed excessively; additionally, you will see an increase in shedding during their bi-annual molting season.

You will need to give your dog a good brush several times a week, but they are exceptionally clean and dont require regular baths.

Two to three times per year is enough, check and clean their ears weekly; brush their teeth daily and clip their nails twice a month.

Additional Information

• Lifespan: 12 15 years
• Colors: White
• Weight: 50 70 lbs
• Height: 20 24 inches
• Hypoallergenic: No

Fun Fact: According to a popular Korean folktale, a Pungsan dog hunted and killed a Siberian tiger.

Korean Dog Breeds and Our Final Thoughts

Refrain from impulsivity when buying a dog because cuteness is not an indication that you will be able to cope with the breed.

One of the many reasons canines end up in shelters is because owners soon realize the magnitude of their decision.

Looking after a dog takes work, and if you are not willing to make a lifelong commitment to one of these Korean dog breeds, it would be better not to own a pet.

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