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Tammy's Pros and Cons to Being a Jindo Owner

3/15/2017

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- Written by Tammy Ahn
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Bet you can't guess what the BEST dog breed ever is!​
Meet the beautiful and under-appreciated Jindo dog! A medium sized (30-40 lbs) northern-type breed indigenous to the Jindo island in Korea for thousands of years. These days, they are becoming more and more common in Los Angeles and anywhere with a heavy Korean population, and as a relatively rare and misunderstood dog, they are being mis identified, mis-handled and euthanized in shelters every day. 

As a devoted Jindo lover, allow me to tell you why I adore this breed.

  • They are housebroken automatically. Never in my life have any of the adult Jindos I've lived with had an accident in the house. And I never even had to "housebreak" them. The two puppies I raised in the house would only have accidents on their way out the door, trying to make it in time. But you can't blame babies right? And this only happened in the mornings, when they REALLY had to go.
  • They are super-clean. Like most northern breeds, they have self-cleaning coats. Dirt just falls right off, and they are super fastidious about the condition of their fur and groom themselves like cats. They also have no doggy odor.
  • They are aloof with strangers. I like my dogs to not be the type who run up to everyone asking for kisses. Jindos are incredibly loyal and loving to the people they know and love, not just their owners. But a correct Jindo temperament means that they will ignore or avoid attention from strangers.
  • They are quiet. Some dogs yap or bark for attention. A socialized Jindo only occasionally barks when he feels it is absolutely necessary.  So pay attention, because it means something's up!
  • They are wonderful guard dogs. They have a strong sense of territory and will work very hard to maintain borders and to protect their families. This can backfire because an unsocialized Jindo who doesn't know the difference between dangerous and safe situations can be a lawsuit waiting to happen
  • They are incredibly intelligent. This dog was bred to think for themselves. They have very strong problem-solving capabilities, and if left in a backyard 24/7 will find a way to entertain themselves and escape. Also, they are so smart and independent that although they pick up obedience commands very quickly, they don't always listen. Similar to cats. I like that. But on the flip-flop, they are super-submissive to their owners. A harsh word can bring them quivering to their bellies. In that sense, they are a soft breed that needs very positive training techniques.
  • They are very quiet and calm inside the house. As puppies they can be destructive like any other breed, if not excercised enough, but as adults, you hardly notice they are there until they come by to check up on you. They don't even like to go on furniture. So far, it's been a common trait I've spoken about with fellow Jindo owners. You invite them to sit on the sofa with you, but once you're done petting them, they prefer to be laying next to your feet.  So the upholstery stays clean!
  • They are the best independent hunting dogs I have met. Jindos are my desert island dogs. They were MADE to hunt their prey in difficult terrain. They will range over large territories in pursuit of game. This is part of the reason why they are known for "wandering" if not kept indoors. So if you've got a pest problem, say good-bye to your unwanted visitors.  I don't know how many times my dog tried to bring me her special "presents." If we are ever living in post-apocalyptic times or I get lost in the mountains, a Jindo is who I would want by my side. A loyal, loving companion, a fierce guardian, and a dependable provider.

Okay now the bad stuff:
  • Jindos have very strong pack hierarchy instincts. Translation: they can sometimes be bullies to other dogs. They are a very dominant breed, and do not easily make canine friends out of puppyhood. They are definitely not a "dog park dog." But this is easily manageable, many dogs do not enjoy the company of their own kind. It's when they don't enjoy the company of people that I worry.
  • ​A Jindo can never be offleash. Let's think about this.... an instinct to travel far distances + a strong prey drive that can be triggered by a running cat + an independent nature = a dog that is NOT safe to be let off leash in an unfenced area. An off-leash Jindo is a Jindo you won't be seeing for a while. They have been clocked at running up to speeds of 35 mph. While it is true that they have a very strong homing sense and can find their way back, this doesn't mean that they won't be attacked by coyotes, hit by a car, stolen, or picked up by the pound. ​
  • Their prey drive. Adult Jindos are usually not suitable for living with cats or very small dogs, unless raised with them. They just look too much like food.  However, there are always exceptions to the rule, like my 8 year old female who was just in love with our kitten and even shared her bed with him and wrestled gently with him. But any unknown cat was fair game to her... not to mention chihuahuas, possums, birds, snakes.... 
  • They shed like there's no tomorrow. This happens once or twice a year, depending on the dog and where you live. It's just a seasonal coat-dump, where they lose the thick soft undercoat and grow a new one for the winter or summer. It can last a few weeks, but is manageable with the right comb.

So, if you've read all of this and are interested in learning more contact The Jindo Project to find out about their history and how you can help save this ancient breed. You may even find yourself adopting a beautiful rescued dog.

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Jindo Stories

3/15/2017

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In 2006, news reported a female lion, that was abandoned as a cub, and a Jindo dog had become good friends.  The lioness, named "Soonee," (which means tame in Korean) rejected all male lions the zoo tried to introduce her to.  Then the Jindo came along.  After letting the dog live near Soonee's cage for a month, the zookeepers let him enter her cage under supervision.  The two animals became friends and now look after one another.

​In 2002, a 3-year-old male Jindo named Baekgu touched the hearts of those who had witnessed the dog protecting his dead masters body.  The faithful dog showed his loyalty by refusing to let anyone near his master and did not partake in food or water for 3 days.  The body was finally retrieved through a window and Baekgu, the devoted Jindo's story lives on.

In 1993, a five year old female Jindo (also named Baekgu) who was raised on Jindo Island was sold to someone on the mainland who lived 300km away.  The dog, unable to forget the warmth and love of her master and family, returned to her original owner 7 months later haggard and in skin and bones.  Her master, amazed at her honing ability and loyalty, kept her until she died at the age of 13.  The emotional yet mysterious return of Baekgu who has wondered over mountain and seas to return home is renown in the Jindo community.
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Owning a Jindo

3/15/2017

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​Educating yourself on a breed of interest is the first step to providing a forever home to any number of animals in need. Although the Jindo is an amazingly beautiful, intelligent and strong breed that can easily adapt to almost any living situation, there are certain aspects of owning a Jindo which are important to know.

Many Jindos have strong, instinctual prey drives. Although some Jindos do not display this characteristic, it is more common in the breed than not. As such it is important never to allow a Jindo off-leash because if they catch a scent or see small animals or rodents, they won't hesitate to take chase. Just as important is to cautiously introduce Jindos to other pets and animals. If adopting a Jindo, we recommend introductions to all other animals in the home prior to adopting.
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​Jindos are very intelligent and refine their thinking and problem solving abilities. For instance, they can generally find ways to slip out of regular collars and can discover weaknesses in almost any fence. Therefore, we recommend no-slip collars or harnesses and a solid fence at least 6 ft tall. Jindos are very cat-like in their movements and are agile enough to jump most fences if they really want to. When bringing a Jindo home, we recommend supervising them when outside until they become acquainted with their new surroundings.
 
Most Jindos tend to be aloof with strangers and are generally cautious around people they don’t know. Jindos tend to have dominant personalities, as with any Spitz breed. Because of this, obedience training and proper socialization are important. If your Jindo has an alpha personality, as many Jindos do, it is important to acquaint yourself with alpha dogs and how to handle them with proper leadership, training and socialization.​

Jindos develop a strong sense of territory and will let you know when intruders are present. Un-welcomed animals inside a Jindo’s territory will likely be met with extreme displeasure. 
As indoor dogs, Jindos are generally not overly hyper. However, if they get loose, they are quick and will give you a run for your money. Regular, daily exercise makes for a happy Jindo. Jindos can be stubborn and willful. Owners must have patience and an appreciation for their independence. On the flip side, they very much want to please their owners and are among the most loyal and devoted dogs you can find.
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Jindo History

3/15/2017

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The Korean Jindo is a rare, primitive breed originating from the Jindo Island in Korea. Jindo Gae literally means “Dog of Jindo Island”. Isolated from the rest of the world for thousands of years, the Jindo was not commonly found in Korea until the 1970’s when a bridge was finally built connecting Jindo Island to the mainland. The Jindo is protected under Korean Law as the 53rd National Monument. Exporting Jindos out of Korea is prohibited. However, in the 1980’s Korean-Americans started bringing Jindos to the U.S. despite the ban.  In 1998, the Jindo was accepted into the United Kennel Club.

Jindos began to be seen in the Los Angeles area in the mid 1990’s. Since then, Jindos seem to be more common in Korean-American communities in the U.S. The Jindo is a rare breed and revered in Korea, yet there are hundreds, if not thousands dying in animal shelters across the United States every year. Currently, Southern California is the most common area to find Jindos in shelters. Jindos also appear with regularity in shelters in Northern California.  Jindos are now appearing in shelters in Oregon, Washington, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas. One even was found in a shelter in Canada. It won’t be long before this treasured breed is unnecessarily being killed in shelters throughout the U.S. 

The Jindo is a magnificent breed, but is not for everyone. Dog experience and knowledge is strongly recommended for anyone considering owing a Jindo. The Jindo Project believes based on our experience, that the main reason for so many unwanted Jindos is that people are unknowingly breeding Jindos indiscriminately. It is very common for people to breed Jindos for profit and sell them to anyone who can pay for the dog. In the Korean culture it is also common to breed dogs and give the puppies away as gifts. While this is a gesture of good will, the recipient of the dog may not always want the dog but they don’t want to refuse the gift. Sadly, many Jindos given as gifts end up living a life confined to the back yard  with little human interaction, shelter, food and water. ​
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