7 Korean Dog Breeds More Amazing than

K-POP – The Complete Guide to Korean

Dogs

Korea has more to offer than just K-pop and K-dramas. Behind the glitz and glamour of the massive
global entertainment industry are some of the most unique dog breeds in the world.

When most people think ‘Korean dog breeds,’ the Jindo dog first comes to mind. But in reality, there are
more amazing dog breeds indigenous to the “Land of the Morning Calm.” Many of which, you’ve never
even heard of.

Despite the country’s unfathomable tradition of consuming dog meat, the data tells us this trend is
fading. What’s even more promising is the increasing rate of dog ownership in the country.

All signs point to one fact: Koreans are finally bringing dogs into the the comfort of their homes and
treating them as friends. Here are seven amazing Korean dogs that you need to know about today.

RECOMMENDED: 21 Exotic Indian Dog Breeds

Table of Contents [SHOW]

Dog Breeds of Korea

Although Korea doesn’t have as many native dog breeds as their neighboring Asian countries. Korean
dog breeds include the Jindo, Korean Mastiff, Sapsali, Jeju Dog, Nureongi, Donggyeongi and Pungsan
Dog.

Several of these breeds are facing extinction. However, organizations all around the country are battling
to save and preserve these dogs.
7. Korean (Dosa) Mastiff

Highlights: Friendly, Good-natured, Dominant.

The Korean Mastiff is Korea's friendly giant dog breed.

The Korean Mastiff, also known as the Korean Dosa or Mee Kyun Dosa, is easily the largest dog breed
from Korea. Capable of reaching up to 185 pounds, this dog may seem intimidating and frightening.

However, the Korean Mastiff breaks the “mold” and is not like any other mastiff breeds. They are truly
sweet-natured dogs, bred for companionship and as show pets.

Their skin resembles that of a Bully Kutta or English Mastiff – loosely covering the body, head and neck.
The coat is short, but extremely smooth with a shiny gloss to it. The colors on these dogs are simply
beautiful. They can come in a reddish mahogany or a deep brown chocolate.

The Dosa can be traced back to the late 1800’s, when they were first bred. Unfortunately, historians and
researchers don’t seem to know exactly how the Korean Mastiffs came into existence. Some speculate
they were developed by crossbreeding various working dog breeds that arrived from Europe.

These imports included the Saint Bernard, English Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux among many others.
However, the most common belief is that the Japanese Tosa were crossed with the Neapolitan Mastiff
and Dogue de Bordeaux.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Korean Mastiff is the distant cousin of the Tosa Inu (Japanese breed).

These “beauty dogs” were initially bred with selections based solely on appearance and temperament,
which is why they’re such great show dogs.

The most expensive dog ever imported into India was a Korean Mastiff – worth 10 million Indian Rupees
($140,000 USD).
Korean Mastiff Temperament

Unlike the Japanese Mastiff (Tosa Inu), the Korean Mastiff is good natured, easy-going and loves being
with people. The most difficult part about keeping a Korean Dosa is obedience training.

They will try to assume the responsibility of pack leader because of their inherent instinct to form a pack
hierarchy.

You must establish dominance in your training sessions, with a clear objective of achieving pack leader
status. Failure to do so can prove to be troublesome , especially with a dog as big as the Dosa.

The Korean Mastiff is what owners call a “gentle giant” – and for good reason! These dogs are extremely
friendly towards people and run in a majestic manner.

They’re generally reserved with unfamiliar people, but can open up quite easily. Despite their size,
they’re great around children and can get along with other dogs. These dogs are what you call a “giant
lap dog.”

6. Sapsali

Highlights: Docile, Patient, Affectionate.

The Sapsali is one of the most family-oriented dog breeds from Korea.

The Sapsali dog is a native Korean breed most known for its long and shaggy coat, resembling that of a
small lion cub. In fact, locals often refer to them as “lion dogs” due to their looks.

For a medium sized dog, the Sapsali is somewhat bulky and tall with hair covering its eyes – similar to
the Old English Sheepdog. Their coat color is not as consistent as other dog breeds. For example, they
can come in gold, brown, red, grey, black or a mixture.
In 1992, the Korean government declared the Sapsali dog as a National Treasure of the country.
Unfortunately, this indigenous Korean dog has not been officially recognized by any major organizations.

They were popular dogs during the rule of the Silla Kingdom and usually kept by only aristocrats. The
noblemen admired the Sapsali so much that they even enrolled these dogs into the Silla military.

INTERESTING FACTS

After the Japanese slaughtered the Sapsali dogs, the Korean breed was revived using only the 8
remaining dogs.

The Japanese slaughtered these dogs to make coats for their military troops residing in Manchuria.

The Sapsali were thought to have the power to repel evil spirits and ghosts.

Sapsali Temperament

Upon first impression, this dog looks like a docile and pleasant dog – and that is exactly right. The Sapsali
is one of the most gentle and playful breeds among all the Korean dogs.

They’re known for having outstanding patience and having innate friendliness towards humans and
animals alike. It’s a big reason why these dogs make such excellent family and companion dogs.

They are social and can be extremely playful in a group of dogs or humans. Owners describe the Sapsali
dog as loyal dogs that do what they can to please their owners.

It’s safe to say they get along great with children, other pets and strangers. As a result, they may not be
the most ideal guard or watch dogs. Consider a Jindo dog instead.

5. Nureongi

Highlights: Calm, Friendly, Sociable.

Unfortunately, the Nureongi is the most popular dog for consumption in Korea.
The Nureongi, otherwise known as the Korean Yellow Spitz, is a landrace breed native to Korea. As a
medium-sized spitz, the Nureongi is eerily similar to the Jindo dog. However, they do have differences in
physical appearance and characteristics.

For example, this dog breed has a short coat with patches of yellow. Most Nureongi dogs also have a
melanistic mask, which is essentially a pattern on the coat that gives the appearance of the dog wearing
a mask.

Korea has a long standing tradition of consuming dog meat, known as “Gaegogi,” which dates back to
the ancient times of the first century AD.

The most unfortunate part is that the Nureongi is reported to be the most popular choice of dog for
Koreans to consume. Animal activists are actively fighting this practice and we hope the black market of
dog consumption will end soon enough.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Nureongi is the only landrace breed in Korea. This means they were developed over time without
the interference of humans.

The Nureongi is the “dog of choice” for consumption in Korea, unfortunately.

They are the oldest Korean dog breed that has been officially recorded, dating back to the 1st Century
AD.

Nureongi Dog Temperament

The Nureongi dog is a fairly vocal breed – in other words, they love to bark. Many people describe them
as excessive barkers because of their strong desire to communicate with humans and other dogs.

On the flip side, they are smart dog breeds and not known to be aggressive towards humans or other
dogs. Many of these dogs spend their whole lives in a kennel and even then, it’s rare to see dog fights
occur.

But because of their unfortunately circumstance, there just isn’t a lot of information and data on how
they interact in a family environment. Hopefully, this will change in the near future.
4. Jindo Dog

Highlights: Courageous, Loyal, Energetic.

The Korean Jindo is the most popular Korean dog and declared as the country's official breed.

The Korean Jindo is probably the most famous breed to originate from Korea, as they’re the first Korean
breed most people think of.

In fact, they’re the national dog breed of Korea. But the real reason why they’re so popular is because
they’re just that great of a dog.

Indigenous to the Jindo Island of Korea, the Jindo dog is a formidable hunting dog known for loyalty and
courage. But throughout the years, they’ve also been excellent family and guard dogs.

Legend has it that three Jindos took down a single Siberian tiger. Whether this is true remains to be
seen. We’d like to believe it’s true!

Much effort has been put into training them to be capable military dogs for the Korean army. However,
they’re not as suited as German Shepherds because of their strong hunting instincts.

Experts believe that they are much better off as search and rescue dogs, where they have been thriving.
The Jindo Dog is the only Korean dog breed to be recognized by the Korean Kennel Federation.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Korean Jindo is celebrated as the national dog breed of South Korea and the 53rd National Treasure
of the country.

During the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul, Korea, over a hundred Jindo dogs marched in the
opening ceremony.
Jindo dogs are known to be afraid of water, often refusing to cross flowing river streams and venturing
out into the rain.

Jindo Temperament

A big part of why the Korean Jindo dogs make such excellent hunting companions is because of their
braveness and courageousness. They’re also known for having unwavering loyalty towards their owners.

Although they’re often high in energy, they can be as gentle as any other breed. With enough
socialization, they will get along with people and children just fine. It’s no surprise why they’ve become
the most popular family dog to come from Korea.

The Korean Jindo is an extremely intelligent breed. As a matter of fact, many owners claim that their dog
may be too smart for its own good. Often, thinking for themselves.

However, this just means they need a lot of mental and physical stimulation for healthy living. They
require plenty of exercise and enough space to roam around freely.

3. Donggyeongi

Highlights: Friendly, Devoted, Dependable.

The Donggyeongi dog is a rare Korean breed most notable for their bob-tail feature. They were named
after the coastal city they originated from – Gyeongju, Korea. Physically, they look very similar to the
Jindo dog, except for the exceptionally short-tail.

At one point, they were relatively popular dogs and locals made great efforts to preserve them due to
their national characteristics. By the time of the early 20th century (1900’s), the Japanese invaded Korea
and slaughtered this dog breed.
The Japanese intruders believed that these dogs closely resembled the Japanese Komainu, which
somehow offended them. The Donggyeongi couldn’t quite fully recover after this massacre. It was brutal
and unfortunate.

After the National Liberation Day of Korea in 1945, the Donggyeongi dogs faced even more hardship.
Their short tails were viewed as a deformation and thought to bring bad luck. For this reason, breeders
stopped breeding these dogs and owners stopped raising them.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Donggyeongi is one of only 34 dog breeds that are naturally born with a bobtail.

Koreans believed that the short bobtails were an indication of bad luck, which severely hindered the
breed’s survival.

When the Donggyeongi became a national treasure in 2012, there were only 460 of these dogs left in
South Korea.

Donggyeongi Temperament

This breed is so rare that there isn’t much information on the temperament and personality of
Donggyeongi dogs.

However, some netizens speculate that they are friendly and loyal dogs, which is why they were once
great family dogs. Their sizable frame make them potentially excellent guard dogs.

2. Pungsan dog

Highlights: Lively, Dominant, Stubborn.

The Pungsan is the only dog breed to come from North Korea.

Unlike the other Korean dog breeds on this list, the Pungsan dog is the only one to have originated from
North Korea. They were skilled hunting dogs bred in the Kaema Plateau of North Korea, where elevation
reached 2,000 meters high.
To this day, the Pungsan is still considered a relatively rare dog breed and found mostly in North Korea
and Northeastern regions of China.

Most people recognize the Pungsan dog as the official national dog of the Hermit Kingdom. What the
Korean Jindo is to South Korea, the Pungsan dog is to North Korea.

Multiple times in our history, the leader of North Korea has gifted these dogs to other nations as a peace
offering or present. For example, at the Inter-Korean Summit of 2000, Kim Jong-il (North Korean Leader)
gave two Pungsan dogs to Kim Dae-jung (South Korean President).

These dogs lived in the South Korean President’s Blue House for many years before retiring at the Seoul
Zoo. Eventually, they were honored with the special status as “guests of the state.“

INTERESTING FACTS

At the Inter-Korean Summit of September 2018, North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un gifted the South
Korean President two white Pungsan dogs as a peace offering.

Many people believe that the Pungsan is the result of wolves mating with dogs in the mountainous
regions of Kaema highlands.

Local Folklore has a famous story about a Pungsan dog that took down a Siberian Tiger.

Pungsan Temperament

Many owners describe the Korean Pungsan as “wolf-like” with a dominant personality and high prey
drive. They are full of energy and have the tendency to try to establish dominance quickly over other
animals (including humans).

With that said, these dogs are not easy to care for and recommended only for the most experienced
trainers. Not only will obedience training be tough, but they require a minimum of two hours of physical
activity per day.

Many Pungsan dogs like to dig holes in the yard as a method of expending energy. But, make sure your
yard is safely secured, as they will try to escape. If they ever get out, it’ll be very difficult to track them
down and bring them home.
Early socialization is key to getting them to play nice with humans and children. As long as you’re
consistent with training, they should have no problem in the future and can even become great
guardians. If you want a reliable alpha dog, the Pungsan dog is perfect.

1. Jeju Dog

Highlights: Loyal, Agile, Protective.

Many believe that the Jeju dog may have originated from China over 3000 years ago.

The Jeju dogs got their name from the island off the southern coast of Korea, Jeju Island – where they
were originally bred. They’re considered to be one of the largest native Korean dogs and share many
characteristics with the Korean Jindo.

The main difference is their wide and pointy foreheads. Many believe the female Jejus look like foxes,
whereas the male Jejus look like wolves. Both of which, are badass comparisons.

They are perhaps the rarest breed to originate from South Korea, with only 69 purebreds in existence as
of 2010. At one point, they were on the brink of extinction before an aggressive breeding campaign
brought them back from the dead, almost literally.

However, it wasn’t until 2010 that these dogs earned the distinction of “national heritage animals,”
which brought them great protection with the goal of preservation.

There are many reasons why these dogs faded so quickly. At one point, they became one of the most
consumed dog breeds in Korea, along with the Nureongi dog. Plus, the Japanese that colonized Korea
and slaughtered their dogs certainly didn’t help either.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Jeju dog breed was revived from the only 3 remaining dogs found on Jeju Island in 1986.
It’s believed that this dog breed came to Jeju Island over 3,000 years ago. However, historians aren’t
certain how they actually got there.

These dogs were once used in the South Korean military for various jobs, including search and rescue.

Jeju Dog Temperament

Jeju dogs are famously known for their loyalty, making them some of the best guard dogs you can find.
Not only can they protect your home, but they’re extremely skilled hunters as well.

Many hunters in the past brought along a Jeju as a trusted hunting companion. Their incredible sense of
smell allows them to easily track animals. Jeju dogs have been known to take down deers, badgers and
other medium-size game.

These dogs can make great family dogs because they do it all. They’re great with family, will guard
territory and protect their owners. However, they’re difficult to train and should be reserved for
experienced owners.

They’re also difficult when playing with other dogs and animals, even with socialization training at an
early age. Make sure you keep them in a one-dog household.

Korean Dog Meat Controversy

Help save the korean dogs from the farms.

One of the biggest controversies in South Korea has been the consumption of dog meat. This
unfathomable “delicacy” is called “Gaegogi” (개고기), which literally translates to “dog meat.”

Unfortunately, this is one of the longest standing traditions in Korean culture and dates back to the first
century AD, during the Three Kingdoms Era.

At the time of writing, selling dog meat for consumption is not fully illegal in South Korea, but the
inhumane method of slaughtering them is protected by Animal Protection Right – Article 7.
As a result, the topic of outright banning the whole dog meat trade industry has been a hot topic in
recent years.

Currently, there are still thousands of dog farms operating all over the country. It’s no surprise this has
garnered the attention of the largest animal rights groups in the world. Some of which, include: the
ASPCA, PETA and the Korean Animal Welfare Association.

However, the opposing Korean Dog Meat Association is frequently challenging any efforts made by
animal rights organizations.

The Korean government understands the negative stigma and scrutiny from international countries.
Nonetheless, they fail to take action as quickly as we hope.

During the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul, the government urged citizens to cease consumption
of dog meat to improve the country’s image to visitors. They understand it’s frowned upon, which is a
good first step.