Korean Jindo Dog
A clean, intensely loyal Korean spitz from Jindo island, known for its devotion and its wariness of strangers.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 50–55 cm · Females 45–50 cm
- Weight
- Males 18–23 kg · Females 15–19 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Double coat, medium
- Colours
- White, Fawn, Red, Black, Black and tan, Wolf grey, Brindle
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent, Guarding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- South Korea
- FCI
- Group 5, no. 334 · Spitz & primitive types
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with cats | 1/5 – Very low |
| Open to strangers | 1/5 – Very low |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 4/5 – High |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a deeply loyal, clean companion
- have secure fencing
- have experience with independent breeds
Think twice if you …
- have small pets or several dogs
- want a dog that loves visitors
- may need to rehome later
Care
Temperament
Loyal, alert and dignified, it is devoted to its family and aloof with strangers. It is independent and has a strong prey drive.
Exercise
It needs an hour or more daily of brisk walks, hikes or scent work, always on lead or in a secure area.
Grooming
The double coat needs brushing a few times a week and more during the heavy seasonal moult. Jindos keep themselves very clean.
Training
It is intelligent but independent and sensitive; use calm, positive and consistent training, with lots of early socialisation.
Health
The breed is generally hardy; hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia and occasional eye problems are reported. Ask the breeder for hip, thyroid and eye results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Thyroid
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Jindo comes from Jindo island off the south-western tip of Korea, where it lived freely with villagers and hunted deer, boar and rabbits in small packs. It is protected as a natural monument in South Korea, and dogs on the island are carefully preserved.
Jindos are famous for loyalty to their family, often one person in particular. They are clean, quiet indoors and easy to house train, but reserved with strangers and frequently intolerant of other dogs and small animals. Escape-artist skills are common, so secure fencing is important. Rehoming adults can be harder than with many breeds because they bond so deeply.
Did you know?
In 1993 a Jindo named Baekgu found her way back to her original home on Jindo island after being sold to a family about 300 km away.