Overview
Jindo dogs were begun in Southwest Korea many centuries ago. Their main purpose was to hunt rabbits, badger, wild boar and deer. There is a Korean law that protects these dogs as National Monuments. They're the most popular and revered dog in Korea. This dog didn't show up in the United States until sometime in the 1980s. They're considered to be rare in North America due to the restrictions placed on their exportation by the Korean government.
Activity
Jindos don't do well with apartment living. They need a highly fenced yard so they can run and play. These dogs love to play with their family but DO NOT make tug-of-war one of the games. They also love daily walks as long as you keep them leashed and muzzled securely in public places.
Care
Jindo dogs need to be brushed regularly to get rid of any loose hair. They are heavy shedders twice annually and need to be brushed daily during this time. When the shedding process is going on, the dog should have warm baths frequently. There are no known health concerns with Jindos.
Character
Jindo dogs are Spitz like and are medium size. They're cautious and independent and make amazing hunters. Jindos are very brave, intelligent and active. They're well known for their homing instinct. They have the ability to dive very high when trying to catch prey.
Coat
Jindos have double coats. The top coat is harsh and straight and thicker on the chest and neck. Their underneath coat is soft and dense, but can still support the top coat. These dogs shed heavily twice annually.
Temperament
The Jindo is strong and very independent. This makes them unsuitable for inexperienced dog owners as they can be rather hard to handle. These dogs have a strong and unshakeable loyalty towards their owner and family, which makes them highly devoted. This is the reason they don't do well in changing homes. They're gentle, affectionate and friendly. However, they also make ideal watch dogs as they'll fight to the death protecting their home and family. Jindos are happiest in homes with older well-behaved children and other dogs that they've been raised with. Since they have a very high prey drive, they shouldn't be in homes with non-canine pets. Jindos love living inside with their family and will destroy things if they get lonely and bored.
Training
Jindos are very fastidious and obedient and, therefore, can housebreak themselves. They need to be socialized and exposed to obedience training early in life. Training must be conducted with firmness, consistency, fairness and respect. It's crucial that training is conducted properly by the owner and can be a matter of life and death.