Tammy's Pros and Cons to Being a Jindo Owner

3/15/2017

- Written by Tammy Ahn

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.

73 Comments

Ava

11/8/2017 07:41:16 pm

Thank you for this article. Outstanding read- informative and entertaining!

Miranda

11/2/2019 04:38:44 am

Korean Jindo's a terrible breed? There are no terrible breeds of dogs in my opinion, just terrible owners, who do not take the time to raise their dogs correctly. This breed is a proud and noble breed. I have 2 Korean Jindo dogs. One of them was a rescue from a South Korean dog meat trade farm. The other was a rescue too. I have had Jindo dogs for 10 years now. They are the most intelligent, proud, friendliest, loving, affectionate, devoted and loyal breed of dog. They are very clean dogs, and keep themselves clean, in a similar way that cats do. They seem to have inbuilt house trained skills.They live around our two cats, and have never posed a threat to them. The dogs are slightly scared by the cats! They are also a very easy going and calm dog. My dogs can be quite stubborn dogs at times, but that soon passes within minutes, with the right commands used. They are strong willed too sometimes, but again that passes, with the right commands I believe that if you give a dog love, patience, time, security and consistency, and treat it with the respect it deserves then you get dogs who are amazing like my two are.

Michael

11/10/2020 09:50:11 am

Hello I have two boys windows I’ve had him since he was six weeks old they are very intelligent however I have a large backyard they seem to get into some very aggressive roughhousing with each other at times any suggestions on how to illuminate this behavior without getting rid of one of them thank you

Jay

5/11/2018 02:03:38 pm

Terrible breed. Absolute nightmare dog.

Jan

8/15/2018 11:17:17 am

Perhaps only terrible if the expectations of the owner about what a dog should be don't match up with reality. Maybe just a bad match?
I have owned a Jindo for six years and don't ever want another breed. He is definitely different than any dog I have ever owned. A lot more strong-willed with a much larger personality. Also have to be careful much more than with other breeds. But I wanted a dog and a companion, not a play toy. It is the only dog I have ever had that requires respect and compassion to thrive. I find I have to train PEOPLE how to deal with him properly. But everyone ends up loving him to bits.
I wouldn't trade him in for anything.

Piera jones

10/27/2020 03:11:04 pm

I have just recently adopted a spitz jindo from loyal Canadian jindo she is 2 years old and very skittish I was wondering on how to get her out of her shell she is very protective of me so when people come over if I am sitting beside her she will bark at them or growl at them she is a full 15 pounds of joy if I walk away from her she will not bother about growling to any one and eventually tries to find her way to me if we encounter people on the street her tail will go between her legs and she cowls into a ball I believe that by us showing her much love she will come out of her shell

Lauren

7/8/2019 06:37:17 am

How dare you say that Jindos are a terrible breed. You must not like dogs then... I have a Jindo and he is quite a spectacular dog. Keep ur negativity to yourself.

Brooke

7/15/2019 11:52:13 pm

What??? Terrible?!?! Are you crazy? The best dog EVER by s long shot. I love this breed. They are so fascinating. The description of this breed is EXACTLY the way my jindo acts. Blows my mind. I think he seriously is human. Lol

Dan

9/5/2019 06:27:37 pm

I think it depends on what you're looking for in a dog. I love my Jindo rescue and don't think I'd ever adopt another breed. But if you're looking for a super affectionate (he's affectionate in his own way, but not like a lab, etc.) dog that you can take to the dog park, likely not the right choice. His prey drive is impressive and when he blows out his undercoat, wow. but he is always where I am. Good with other people (can be wary at first, but never aggressive). Other dogs... He generally ignores them on walks, but if a little dog on a retractable leash comes running... The only time he ever barks seems to be when he sees a dog that he's not happy with. I think they are an amazing breed, but I could see how someone who wants a dog that is super affectionate, really obedient (he is smart enough to be trained, but then smart enough to ignore me ;). ), I can see why someone might not be as in love.

Joel

1/13/2020 07:39:33 pm

They are wise and loyal dogs. What done to them is terrible.

Chloe

12/7/2020 01:22:50 pm

Terrible Breed?!?! you must not know too well abt thm ;-;

veronica

12/15/2020 09:45:59 pm

please explain as I'm leaning towards this breed mixed with golden

Timo

6/26/2018 07:08:43 am

I rescued my Jindo while living in Korea and he has been my faithful companion ever since. Jindos need a strong owner who uses positive reinforcement. Jindos need and want you to be a good owner. My Jindo stays by my side off leash. I trained him to do this by using the chasing of the squirrels and other prey as his reward for staying by me. He is the most loving and loyal dog ever. He is becoming more and more social every day because we go to the dog park. Off leash, he will avoid other dogs. On leash he feels protective and like he is backed into a corner. The first week wasnt easy, but a couple months in and he is doing well and playiny with other dogs. Everything you have said seems accurate except being off leash and running away. Definitely a wanderer though. Try using wandering/hunting as a reward and dont use leash tension. If he doesnt listen to verbal commands on leash, you couldnt expect him to listen off leash. Never let him walk ahead of you. Collar shouldnt pass your legs if you want him to learn about walking with a limp leash. Training takes time and consistency.

Jindo♡

Alex

3/1/2020 10:56:08 pm

Can you explain how you were able to train your Jindo to stay by your side off leash? I am interested in adopting a female Jindo but I would like to have more information on how to train them and have them be more sociable with family and friends

Marc

8/3/2018 03:50:46 am

I’ve had a jindo for 6 months. What a transformation but still no where near my previous super affectionate and incredibly intuitive, personality+ pit bull. Almost the exact opposite. Super mellow, not affectionate and incredibly dandy like. I know she likes me because she verbally howls of excitement when I get home, follows me everywhere and is very obedient and attached off leash 3 mile hike every day. I feel lucky because for jindos she’s breaking the mold but still - so mellow and not outwardly affectionate. A bummer.

4/4/2020 04:53:51 pm

It takes a while to see the affectionate side of Jindos. Ours improved when we started cooking his meals. He had allergies. He's now too. Give it time. They can be aloof.

Derek McGovern,

8/17/2018 08:54:45 pm

Hi! I have a young white Jindo (Cheol Su) who perfectly matches your description of the pros and cons of this amazing breed.

I live in Busan, South Korea, where of course Jindos are classified as a national treasure. That doesn't stop people abandoning their Jindos, however---and that's exactly what happened in the case of my "boy." I happened to find him walking unattended around my apartment complex one evening, and after making exhaustive inquiries it turned out that he had indeed been abandoned.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, he's fitted into our home beautifully. He's incredibly quiet and well behaved in the apartment (which surprises a lot of people, who wrongly assume that Jindos should be kept outside).

We live near the sea, with hills all around us, so he gets plenty of long walks. The only problems on those walks are stray cats (and there are a lot of them here), as he always wants to chase them and can be quite disobedient when he spots one, and other dogs. He absolutely hates unleashed small dogs rushing into his face (and actually bit one---not seriously, thank goodness!---on one occasion) and gets angry when he spots other Jindos (there are two others here) or large dogs such as Chow Chows. So, as you rightly say, definitely not a park dog!

But he's an absolute angel toward other dogs when he goes to the vet---presumably because they're not intruding on his territory :)

I also think as far as cats are unconcerned that he's simply fascinated by them, rather than seeing them as a tasty treat. We did have a 13-year-old cat living with us when we first adopted him, and Cheol Su would follow him around with great fascination. He was obsessed with him! And when the cat passed away from cancer a few months later at home, Cheol Su watched over his body for an hour. It was a very moving sight.

I've never regretted adopting him for a second, and he's certainly one of the most intelligent, endearing and humorous dogs I've ever met.

Denise

8/25/2018 08:45:05 pm

I'm considering getting a Jindo mix from a rescue. I want to get two dogs. Perhaps the Jindo and a lab. What do you think?

Aria

9/19/2019 06:17:30 pm

I have a 1 year old Jindo and a 7mont old black lab that are best friends the two were made for each other.

Ladybug x

12/9/2019 07:06:01 pm

I have a Jindo Lab mix.White.Best dog in the universe.Fussy about food though.

Caitlin

12/15/2019 02:17:03 pm

Hi! I’m considering adopting a Jindo lab mix rescue. I was wondering if you could tell me more about yours (temperament, personality, etc.) Would be so appreciated!

Patti

1/5/2020 10:47:10 am

We rescued a Jindo mix puppy . He is predominantly Jindo but has shih tsu and Akita too. He is quite the stubborn mix but he gets along famously with our older terrier mix. Only thing he is very vocal if older dog goes near the food bowl or his chew toy

Mandy

9/11/2018 08:51:42 pm

Hi, I was wondering, do you think a Korean Jindo would make a good service dog? As long as it is trained right,of course. Or do you think its hunting instincts and wariness of strangers won't allow it?

9/12/2018 10:13:53 am

In my personal opinion, living with one right now that IS trained, I probably wouldn't recommend it. I think they are too primitive to be 100% reliable. Yes, their high prey drive is unpredictable and, like you said, their wariness to strangers would likely be an issue in some cases. Also, even when trained they can be hard-headed. ie. They know their training. They just decide whether or not complying suits them at the time.

9/12/2018 12:47:10 pm

Thank you for answering! Somebody had said that a Korean Jindo as a medical alert dog could be good as they are known for pretty much ignoring other people that are not their owners. (As long as they are properly socialized) It is for seizures,my eyesight and hearing are both fine. Meaning,I can see and correct it if it starts following its instincts. Or do you think it's still not a good choice?

I'm looking into all possible choices and since I've always wanted a Korean Jindo,I figured maybe I could just get one and train it with the help of a professional. Also,because the only reputable dog breeder that doesn't demand odd things (such as knowing a person who already bought a dog from there, I live in a state with about 2 million people that's not happening) is a man who breeds Purebred Korean Jindos. Since it's going to be a service dog, I need it to be from dogs that have proof of healthy genes.

Sorry that I wrote a lot. I was just told,by my doctor,to ask as many questions about dog breeds as possible. Thank you.

9/13/2018 08:55:48 am

Ahh, okay. If you would primarily rely on him in the home, then that would be less of an issue - since they are so RIDICULOUSLY alert. My Jindo is so in tune to me, it's nuts. His eyes shift to me if I so much as move or cough in a way he's not used to. If something were to happen outside the house, I'm sure a Jindo would respond to it, but I'm not sure to what extent (as mine is not a service animal).
Would it mostly be to calm you down? Keep stress levels down? Respond when/if you're seizing? They are very intelligent, for sure.
The issue with owning a Jindo is that, even with training and socialization, they require experienced dog owners to handle, and should not be let off leash like other dogs outside, even when trained, unless with a 6-foot fence and supervision.

I wouldn't trust it as a seeing-eye dog lol, but it could be a possible choice for you considering your situation. If I were you, I would probably try to find a couple Jindos you could interact with to gauge temperament and compatibility. They're not the most common dogs in the world, by any rate, so people don't often understand them and they end up in shelters a lot. (Jindos are pretty aloof, and most people expect loving, cuddly animals on demand).

9/13/2018 09:48:00 am

Yes,it would be for calming me down as well as just being there to ground me if I am having a seizure.
I used to train obedience and agility to dogs before my condition worsened, but this is the first Service Dog that I've ever had so I need a professional Service Dog trainer to aid me with the more "advanced" skills. So,I guess I could be considered experienced?

I honestly never let any dogs off leash (I'm just extremely paranoid) unless in my home/in a fenced yard but I do have a 60-ft leash that was originally for horses that I would use with the dogs I trained.

I've always loved learning about the Jindo breed,they are beautiful and I admire their intelligence and loyalty.

Thank you so much for answering my questions! The breeder actually offered for me to go and visit the Jindos he has to get to know the breed a bit more personally. I just wanted to have the opinions of people who already own Jindos to see if I should seriously consider one. I'll definitely go and hopefully I can find the perfect puppy for me.

9/13/2018 09:58:36 am

It sounds like this dog might actually be a good one for you :) They definitely keep you grounded, and they care about YOU much more than you would imagine.
I really hope you'll find one you'll love. After getting a Jindo, I would fly to Korea again for another. My favourite breed, hands down.
Best of luck! If you get one, please post and let me know! :)

Kathy

4/17/2020 10:14:09 am

I adopted a 7-year-old female who was used for breeding before she was given up. She does not like cats or small dogs who bark at her or jump on her. She goes for them. Needless to say, I keep her on a leash around other animals. She is fine around larger, "chill" dogs. She is EXTREMELY affectionate and pushes her head into me me when she wants some love. She sleeps on my feet or legs and can't get close enough. She wakes me up from nightmares by licking my arm or pawing me. I have them quite often and she takes care of it. I wish she liked other dogs and cats, but she loves my grandchildren and other family members and is shy but friendly to new people. They are a complicated breed but perfect for someone living alone needing great company.

9/13/2018 10:12:00 am

Jan, I will! Thanks so much!

Nath

9/19/2018 12:50:06 am

I am a rescue family of 10 jindos puppies. They will be 10 weeks this week. I will like to keep a male and a female. The male will be neuter a 6 months and the female a little bit later. I have a great dane and 5 cats. Do you think the dog will fight together when they became older or they will stay friends because they know each other since they are born?

The rescue family for how i work have 5 puppies available that are at my house. You can see them on my fb page : Abbie sauvée de la Corée du sud.

Thank's

Nath

Evan

12/23/2018 02:00:12 am

I have a 1.5 year old Jindo who I love to death. Unlike other owners, I have her off leash quite often. Just today I let her wander around 100 met away from me. I called her and she came bolting back to me after looking around for my voice. Wicked smart girl.
She is not affectionate and very aloof with strangers, but also extremely food motivated- a tough contradiction; if you’re a stranger and have good, she’ll sit and beg, but won’t let you touch her!
Another difference is she is a dogs dog, she loves other dogs and does great at the park. I don’t as worried about her being a loner, but no, she gets the fun started.
She fetches, but will get bored of it easily.
HIGH PREY DRIVE cannot be emphasized enough. Jindos will ignore you to chase a squirrel, but they always come back.
Great dog, very protective, but not for the average owner who expects a doting and cuddly lap dog. Your friends will admire the jindos beauty, but take some time getting used to her unique personality:)

chloe

1/3/2020 12:00:12 am

Your dog has the same personality as my dog!

Beth

2/15/2019 01:44:43 pm

I have a Window named Sun-Hi rescued three years ago from a meat farm through the Humane Society International. She is absolutely, amazing in every way. She is unlike any dog I've ever met and has a strong will, endless love and loyalty, and has actually trained me. She is never on a leash and loves to run (I live on 12 acres of field and woods) and is never far away. She won't eat kibble, but I happily cook for her and she is very affectionate. She is aloof with strangers, lives to guard the house, but is never aggressive other than alerting deer or fox in the field, and is super clean. She's very intelligent and has beautiful manners. She's simply amazing! I love Jindos!

Misty Kuoha

3/3/2019 04:29:25 pm

We have a rescued Jindo from Korea. We found him in a shelter with a few past unsuccessful adoptions due to behavioral problems. He was a scared, obviously scarred by his past. We were patient and over the last few years of having him, he has really came into his own. However, he does show some aggression to some strangers but even worse, a few family members. It appears he may be possessive when it comes to his Mom & Dad (my Hubby & I) but also, has bit our son & daughter upon them petting him (maybe personal space?). Either way we cannot tolerate it that much more. Any suggestions?

Femy

12/9/2020 11:49:45 am

Hi Misty, i have a jindo and raised him since he was 7 weeks old, and at 9 months old he sucessfully bit my son's arm. I am a novice owner no matter how much I have practiced Dog psychology on him, i'm concern with my son's safety (food aggression) and my 2 indoor cats!

Would love to hear the story about your Jindo, and share some experiences since urs bit your kids' arms too! Please feel free to contact me on Instagram amyfem82

Thanks!

Young

4/21/2019 07:58:36 pm

Had my jindo from about 9 weeks to now at 7 months. Definitely a lot of energy. Could probably go for another walk after our usual 3 walks each day. Smart and catches on pretty quickly. I have known many jindos that are not friendly with strangers or other dogs, but she is friendly with everyone. She almost trained herself to be housebroken. Rarely barks unless she wants me to notice something and it's usually suspicious sounds from outside. She does definitely show prey drive where she will chase after squirrels and birds on our walks. Not food driven and will only eat when she needs to (i leave the food out and she will stop when she's full). Not the most affectionate and don't like to sit on your lap but does enjoy occasional pets. Maybe it's due to her age, but still some times gets timid at dog park if more than couple of dogs crowd her.

Joy

5/20/2019 10:54:38 am

My husband just brought home a 7 week old Jindo. We both are away from home 14 hours a day. Should we leave her in a dog pen or just free to roam in a room? Also will she be ok if someone can visit her only once day for 2-4 hours. At what age do you think she can stay home alone that long?
Starting next week someone will be home with the until the end of July. But then after that she would be left alone again.

Moira

5/21/2019 01:17:49 am

So for any puppy, they HAVE to go potty super frequently. The general rule is 1 month - every hour, 2 months - every 2 hours, and so on until 6 months then they should be able to hold it for up to 6 hours. For super smart and active breeds they need A LOT of exercise. Which means no 2-4 hours a day does not work. No dog should truthfully be left alone that long at any age. Plus the fact that puppies, especially smart ones, need lots of training. I do not mean this comment as an attack whatsoever but it sounds like a cat would be better for y’all.

Anthony

5/21/2019 01:11:28 pm

We just adopted a 2.5 year old Jindo from another family that could care for her anymore. Sge has been with us for three days but seems part of the family. She is exactly as it’s mentioned here. My question is, she seems it to be interested in playing anything nor in toys or anything. She is very quiet inside and when we are not walking/running outside she sleeps most of the time in the house. Is this normal? I gave her a raw hide bone, chewed on it for a little bit and then left it. Are there things I can do to engage her inside the house? What kind of games can I play with her that will stimulate her inside?

Tanja

7/25/2019 08:07:11 pm

Gosh this is exactly how my rescue Jindo behaves. I am a dog sitter and have been with Jindo for 6 weeks now, she is extremely smart, unlike any other breed and she will also not play with any toy indoors. She prefers sleeping on bed right next to me. Incredibly she listens to me and is loyal to me even though I am not her owner. What I found out however is that she finds intellectual stimulation outside so I take her on long walks, different environments, new smells. That tires her out and she is happy without play toys. She is hardly interested in a stick, balls don't interest her at all she rather looks at me like I am crazy to think she'll fetch a ball. It is all trust and respect with this breed, very cat like behaviour with my girl. Likely I am a very proficient cat sitter as well so I find out all the little quirks amusing and easy to solve. This is not a breed for a first time owner! It is definitely the most demanding breed I came across but very rewarding. I love this little one to bits.

6/5/2019 08:55:57 am

I took in a rescued Jindo. She was beautiful, house trained and was slowly becoming more and more affectionate. She was rescued from a meat market so she had a rough early start to life. She was intelligent and playful. I had two other dogs, an alpha Bichon and a pug. The first week all was well. The second week a growl from my alpha and a growl back from my Jindo resulted in a fight in which my bichon received a cut to his eye and ear. I had to break it up. Will they ever get along? My Bichon is 8 the Jindo is 9 months. The Bichon will never relinquish being alpha. Is this a nightmare waiting to happen.

Jeanna Erickson

6/11/2019 08:34:13 pm

I rescued a female jindo from Korea when she was 5 months old. She's now a year and a half and she is definitely been a challenge to raise. she digs in the yard she's gotten out of my dad's yard climbing over and under the fence she discovered the chickens next to my dad's house and has gone over there and killed several of them. She is extremely stubborn. Intermittently affectionate.I have her back in training classes and I am getting a underground fence at my dad's house as he is my doggy daycare. trying to train her to pay attention when were walking so that she stays by me and listens is very challenging as she's not food motivated she's more motivated by sniffing.she has been a very very big challenge for me and a very big source of frustration as well as has cost me a lot to keep her safe and out of the neighbors yards.

dahyun

6/19/2019 01:41:44 am

I just want to share my story of my jindo.
I have a jindo-husky who we adopted as a puppy. Im guessing because she’s only half jindo, she was really hard to housetrain. She peed and pooed in the house, gradually learned to poo outside but still peed inside, and would revenge poo. One time I gave her a bath which she HATES (she used to scream like I was killing her) and she immediately ran out and pooped on my bedroom rug. She would also poop in front of my parents bedroom door for whatever reason. It took a LONG time to get her to stop. My mom tried the usual like shoving her nose in the pee, yelling at her, spanking, etc and of course it didn’t work. I went off to college maybe a year later (can’t remmeber exact time) and when I came back for break I was surprised to find that my mom perfectly housetrained her. She told me that the last time she peed in the house, my mom refused to sleep with her or let her sleep in the same room. This happened ONCE and my dog learned from it, because her need to be in the same room is so strong, coupled with her creepy intelligence. For years after she was TOO housetrained. When we moved from single house with giant backyard to an apartment, she refused to pee and poo for one week. My mom had to drive her to our old backyard and she peed a gallon. It took another week of doing this before she felt comfortable peeing anywhere else. During this time, while my mom was at work, my dog really had to pee and somehow taught herself to pee in the bathtub. When my mom came home my dog was scared she did something wrong but my mom was just fascinated that she knew to do that with no training and praised her.

My dog used to pull a lot. She was a terrible walker and used to unleash herself + bolt away, sometimes into traffic. I attribute it to her being husky. It took even longer, like maybe 5 years, to get her to stop pulling, than to housetrain, which took 3. The story of how she stopped pulling is funny and I only found out on my mom’s deathbed when my family was sharing stories. We live on a third story condo now. She used to drag my mom down the stairs everyday until one day, my mom fell and twisted her ankle. For the next month while my mom was limping, my dog LIMPED TOO. She held out her front paw, mimicking my mom, and walked around on three legs. And she NEVER pulled again. In fact, she stops when the leash tugs the slightest bit and she frequently looks backwards to see if I’m still there.

I used to unleash my dog in the field near a tennis court next to my condo and let her run around, because usually there are no dogs/people. One day, a lady and her small dog came around the corner and my dog ran up to the small dog and barked in her face. I yelled at her and she instantly dropped it and COWERED home, three flights of stairs by herself. She waited at the front door to be let in because I was far behind her, and she spent the next few hours with facing a corner not making a noise. Like she was giving herself a timeout.

So yea. I just wanted to share some stories of my old jindo, who is 9 now. My mom used to say that she was smart but not super smart. I don’t know. My dog seems smart in a really creepy way. She seems like a genius sometimes and stupid other times. She barked at herself in the mirror but somehow she figured out how to lie to get more snacks. She’s quiet 90% of the time but she’s also barks at me for pretty much everything (open door, give food, pee, bored). She follows me around 24/7 when I’m home but doesn’t like hugs, affection, yet sleeps next to my face most days. She’s insanely annoying and demanding but I wouldn’t have any other dog.

7/8/2019 06:38:40 am

Jindos are great dogs. PERIODT.

Lia

7/25/2019 11:12:12 am

I have a Jindo 13 yrsold the best you can have,she is still beautiful!!!

Faith Hammond

9/9/2019 05:24:26 am

Hi. My husband has his heart set on a jindo and we were set to get one in November - he's a planner so we had the kennel and the bowls and everything. I just found out I'm pregnant and although he says he's happy about the news, he's more heartbroken that the jindo plans might have to go on hold. How are they with babies?

Tanja Tolar

9/9/2019 05:34:15 am

Congratulations! I feel you should get a Jindo anyway, they are great with families but the Jindo puppy will demand time and work to properly socialize. If you think your husband will commit to that while you have work with the human baby all will be good. Puppy and baby will grow up together. Mind though that Jindo sheds like crazy so if there's allergy present or if you think the place needs to be spotless then reconsider. That said, Jindo is a very clean dog so apart from shedding I did not find any issue with them indoors. My girl right now begs for attention and cuddles, she is crazy cuddly recently, very unlike Jindo :)

rita

10/28/2020 10:49:53 pm

We got our Jindo from Taiwan, from a rescue agency. We're not sure of his age, but the vet says he's around 7-8. We've had him 5 years. He is absolutely wonderful. He is extremely loving and affectionate to me and my husband and anyone who takes the time to get to know him. He will run out of the house (and keep running) if we leave the door open and only comes home when I get in my car and follow him. He loves going in the car and immediately comes to the car and gets in. I never have to housebreak him, he seemed to know not to pee or poop in the house and can go 12 hours without needing to pee. My last dog was a wonderful lab and I think I will look for a lab/jindo mix when our present dog passes.............once I get over grieving.

Krys

9/10/2019 08:33:03 am

Hi! I have a 6 month jindo I rescued when he was 3 weeks. I'm also currently 6 months pregnant (something I found out after rescuing my pup). I love my jindo and he's actually been a great companion and walking buddy. Having to walk him at least twice a day for 30+ minutes, gives me another reason to stay active during my pregnancy. Plus, having to bottle feed him and potty train him when he was younger was great practice for me. I've also read that having pets while pregnant can help baby's immunity and make baby less susceptible to allergies...if you feel that you can manage training your pup during pregnancy I would say go for it! I absolutely love having my jindo with me during this time!

11/5/2019 11:04:24 pm

This breed looks very interesting to me. Where can I see one in the U.S.?

Andrea

11/15/2019 09:31:10 pm

I rescued my Jindo from Save Korean Dogs. They are based in Korea so I actually went to the airport to pick up my girl but they have some fosters throughout the United States. Check out their website, they also have a Facebook page and are really responsive and great to adopt though. There is a rescue in Brooklyn NY called Korean K9 Rescue and they do a bunch of events but only adopt within a 20mile radius. I am loving my Jindo she is really smart and super sweet.

12/5/2019 08:57:55 pm

Hi everyone, I have a 4 year old, male Jindo from S. Korea. We got him when he was 7 weeks old. As of the last year he now has this sporadic cough/gag, usually over about 5 sec. Sometimes it will come out of no where when he's laying on the couch, other times it will be on walks/runs (no prong collar or tight leash pulling to cause it). Sometimes it sounds like loose flem, other times it's just a dry gag, but nothing ever comes out either way. I don't think it's seasonal allergies, as it seems to occur pretty evenly over the last year. Our vet is about out of recommendations and we're now going to be sending his recent chest xrays to a specialist at the U of M.

Any thoughts or experiences to a similar situation (that's not prong collar or tight leash walking related) would be much appreciated!

Wendy

12/28/2019 12:32:07 pm

We rescued a male and female Jindo in June 2019. They are both a year old. The male still isn't house trained and he is so alpha -- won't even let the female pass him to get outside. They've eaten three dog beds and the female eats our bedroom carpet. They prefer snacks to food. We love them beyond, but they can be nuts.

Donald

1/2/2020 02:44:14 pm

We rescued a male Jindo (5 months old) from Korea in July 2019, he is black with the white patches on the front of the paws and chess. When looking at him he has all the physical characteristics of the breed and same general personality, except he stayed very small, he loves dog parks and resist the urge to chase prey even off leash unless commanded to chase. He is now only half the size he should be, 17 lbs at 11 months old.

Do Jindo's have sub species or this would be the result of a mix?

We love our mini Jindo and feel we got the best of both worlds!

Sam

1/16/2020 12:35:07 pm

I am incredibly in love with my Jindo. He is almost 3 years old and very smart. I do have a behavior issue with him that scares me for my future (wanting kids, etc.) If he's pulled by his collar he gets scared and snaps sometimes breaking skin. I believe its only when he's being forced to do something he doesn't want to do and becomes frightened. He's bitten me when he was younger for this, last year he slipped on my fathers wood floors and my dad grabbed him and lead him back to the floors to show him it's okay. He became fearful and bit my dad to release him and he didn't, once he did let go my dog bit my dads hand causing the need for 10 stitches. It was very horrible. My dog is not (in my opinion) unpredictable. I tell everyone who is around my dog not to ever grab him by the collar. My father now wants me to give him up but I disagree. My question to readers is this: Has any one else owned a jindos like mine? Has anyone had success with behavior training? He is perfect and not aggressive in any other way. I often pull him around the house by the collar for practice and he follows me just fine because he doesn't feel threatened. This is something that has been stressing me out for months any reply would be helpful! Thanks

Josh

4/14/2020 08:31:36 am

I have a very similar scenario to you! I took in a fostered jindo (1.5yo) and have had him for a year. He was a meat farm jindo and was bit by a pittbull a week before we got him. He has trust issues with strangers but usually just barks and backs away if he feels threatened. He will snap if you reach for something he feels territorial about but normally not very hard, his teeth are just razor sharp so any snap can slightly break skin. Recently he randomly turned around and bit my little
Brothers hand as he was petting him, which was very out of character. I am getting ready to get married and have kids, which also concerns me because of his unpredictability. I love him to death and he is perfect in our own home, I’m just worried about outside variables being introduced. He also takes a particular type of dog that he can interact with, and gets snappy with certain dog breeds and is a super alpha. If anyone has recommendations on how to get him to feel more comfortable with being uncomfortable (tough task I know) it would be greatly appreciated! He’s gotten worlds better since his bite (he was never aggressive before that) and maybe patience and persistence is the key?

Kyle

4/5/2020 11:27:24 pm

Hello. A year ago (a little over) my uncle lost his job, and so he sent us his two dogs. A purebred Jindo (10 years old) and a mix breed Jindo (13) They are now 11 and 14. The mix is your average dog, playful, gluttonous, and dumber than a box of rocks. The purebred, on the other hand... We have our problems
We knew full well by the time the dogs arrived that we would have problems, after intense research upon the news that his dogs would be coming up north to us. Lo and behold, problems were had. A few escapes, a car, a broken leg on the purebred (she’s recovered since) but we’ve settled them down, gotten failsafes put in place (extra gates, screen doors, you know, give us extra reaction time when they head for the doors)
But we also have cats
Our house is, as some of us describe it, a “divided war zone” The cats hate the dogs, and the dogs are desperate to do SOMETHING to the cats
Be it simply chase them, sniff them, or eat them, we don’t know, and we don’t want to find out
These were all expected, and this is not the first time we’ve been left with a pet we weren’t planning on having due to my uncle. The biggest problem, and the reason I am posting here, is that Minky (our purebred) is the most nervous dog in planet earth. She is terrified of my brother after he yelled at her once, even growing and barking when she sees him (she doesn’t seem to want to attack him, but clearly sees him as a threat) and will sometimes goes a day or more without eating for no discernible reason. We try our best, and she is a sweet dog, she really is, very gentle (not very obedient, I don’t think she was ever trained-at all-tho she sometimes will come to her own name, when she feels like it) But it’s exhausting
She’s not unpredictable by any means, but she only gets weirder by the day
She bullies the mix (Kelly) a lot, as she views herself as the alpha, meanwhile Kelly doesn’t even know what an alpha is it seems, which tends to frustrate Minky even more
She barks more now than ever, especially when she thinks my brother is entering the house
She is technically my dog now, but it’s hard
My cats have been with me forever, and I always wanted my own dog, but... well, it’s just hard
I can’t bond with her the same as I could with other dogs I’ve known, because I myself am a very anxious and mildly agoraphobic person, so I rarely leave my room, which Minky cannot get to, because our house is divided by baby gates in almost every opening that isn’t a door, to protect the cats, which leaves it so that the only rooms the dogs have free roam of are the living room and kitchen
And I’m just... very sad
I care a lot for her, she’s such a good dog, but I feel as though we aren’t giving her the life she deserves, and I don’t know what to do
I feel that it must be our fault she is so afraid
She cowers when you move to pat her, even though she will relax after a moment, and often even ask for pats, only to act suspicious when you first go to do it
When she is outside, she is much more calm, but she also prefers to come back inside once she has done her business, rather than running around like the mix
And I just don’t know what to do
I’m very lost and very distressed
I want her to be happy, but I don’t think we have the right environment for her to be happy
And despite bullying our mix, she becomes very upset when separated
Recently, Kelly had surgery for a twisted stomach (enthusiastic eating...) and during the time she was hospitalized, Minky wouldn’t touch a bite of food, and even for a few days after
She was rather upset about Kelly returning spayed after tumors were discovered on her ovaries during the surgeries, but she’s since calmed down about it
But still
She’s so nervous
It pains me so badly
I don’t know what to do, I really really don’t

Deb

7/21/2020 10:01:25 am

We adopted our Jindo 5 months ago and he has many of the traits you describe. He doesn't run around our big fenced-in back yard, but does enjoy laying there watching the squirrels (and when he sees one he takes off like a rocket!). When we first got him, his reactions to affection made me wonder if he had been abused, ducking his head to avoid your hand, etc. He's okay with it now, but like you said, he still cowers initially and then relaxes. He is ALWAYS in whatever room I am in, not underfoot or right next to me, but close by. Maybe the not running around and not really needing affection is just the breed.

velrox

8/2/2020 02:59:28 am

My about 10 year old Jindo was abused. found in foothills, had no trust. CBD relaxes him. Decreases the anxiety. He wants affection, doesn't get up on furniture. Gives me kisses and sticks close to me. No leash. Is getting curious. but remains aloof. finally accepted "my guy:

12/7/2020 01:29:34 pm

:(((

nik

4/27/2020 02:56:34 pm

I would like to know how bad their shedding is. I want adopt mix version of them and its female. The dog I have now just sheds to much so don’t need to of the same thing

4/27/2020 03:07:18 pm

They shed a lot, I mean the coat is like a white bomb when that time of the year comes. They have a thick undercoat and yes, it will shed I am afraid. With brushing and a lot of work it gets under control but I use linen sheets to cover all surfaces and then just swap the sheets rather that continuously hoover chairs and sofa.

5/7/2020 08:46:23 am

My jindo is a complete Velcro dog, extremely affectionate, friendly to everyone, loves other dogs, is not dominant with my other dog (who is smaller and I got years after my jindo), and not that smart haha. He loves being on the couch/bed. What he has in common with the description is loyalty, potty trained (I didn’t have to do anything), prey drive, clean coat (it’s truly amazing), and the shedding, oh my god the shedding. The main downsides are the shedding, the attachment issues (sometimes you just want to go to the bathroom in peace, ya know?), and he doesn’t really do much with toys/fetch/rope etc - I have to get creative with entertaining him. :-)

Erick

11/6/2020 10:49:08 am

My Jindo has 2 favorite dog toys, the tennis ball and always a new stuffed animal (after each one got worn out). Because of the Jindo's prey drive, try getting toys that are a little more realistic. We once got my Jindo a dog toy that was a stuffed brown beaver with squeakers inside it. She just absolutely went crazy over it and would entertain herself for hours. Because the toy came with replacement speakers, we would also use the noise to attract her attention when calling her inside. Sadly it eventually got destroyed by her and now her current toy is a small white stuffed bear.

7/21/2020 09:49:48 am

I got a Jindo at our local Humane Society, 3 year old male. I have been quite happy with him, but I have one concern. Someone came into our backyard and tried to take him and he never barked. He has barked several times since I got him, so I know he can and it's a good, deep bark. I have since put a padlock on the gate. I'm just concerned that he would allow someone in our house and do nothing, not a guard dog. I have read that that is one of their traits, but he seems to be missing it. I had a border collie that wouldn't even allow someone he knew into the yard if we weren't home. Guess that's what I was looking for. Anyone have any input on this?

Rajat

10/11/2020 11:03:17 am

Hi there,
I was looking to adopt a Jindo Mix from a shelter in Vancouver area and I was wondering if they need a lot of training and how can they be trained to be off-leash too. I live in a townhome with a very small backyard. Thank you

10/17/2020 02:26:51 pm

I got my almost 2 year old jindo mix from Korea about 9 months ago. Although he’s a good boy when he wants to be, I did put him in an obedience training program for a year due to his insistence of always challenging authority (aka me or my husband). Jindos in general have crazy wanderlust and prey drive. In the city, I do not think that any jindo mix should ever be off leash, there are too many squirrels to chase and your jindo mix, if he/she is anything like mine will be gone. As for the backyard, I have a decent sized backyard, my boy like to patrol the perimeter once a day, but he doesn’t really use the entire space. You should prioritize having a high fence (at least 6ft) and make sure to check that your jindo mix doesn’t try to dig his way to freedom from under the fence, mine tried to do this many times. We just placed bricks in the gaps of our fences and filled up the holes with dirt in the summer. He doesn’t try to dig under the fence now, so I guess he likes me now? *wink*

Sammy

12/7/2020 01:30:57 pm

:( I want Doggy....but Momy an Dady says no:(

Michael Mongue

12/15/2020 08:27:04 am

My wife and I are getting a 7 week old Jindo today! My Korean wife has talked about the breed for years, now that I'm retired I can get a dog, and of course it had to be Jindo. I'm looking forward to it anxiously. I'm something of a loner and it seems like a good mix. My question is about how he will act around Vince, our 25 year old Amazon Parrot. Anybody had this combo with any thoughts or suggestion?

Cynthia

12/24/2020 04:20:25 am

I have a Jindo (not confirmed, but I know she is.) She looks exactly like the dog in the picture of this page and has all the same mannerisms that I have researched for Jindo's. She was an adopt a pet and I guess she came from Georgia. My husband and son found her and after my husband dies 6 mths later I decided to try to find out what breed she was. She is now 16 in Feb 2020, and moves much slower but still is the strongest dog I ever had. (only owned labs until her).
I noticed she ran like the road runner when she was a puppy. As she got older I noticed she didn't like people but once she got to know ,them which took along time she was friendly. She could jump so high from a stand still. She noticed things in the house like if I moved a piece of furniture, so seemed to know the difference. She didn't like other dogs except my sisters yellow lab.(life long friend.) Always alert and paces the area in or outside my home. I don't know how much time I have with her but she's been my loyal Companion and friend since husband died. I would never get another breed again, however I would want one just like my girl.
I wonder how hard it would be to get another one? I live in New
England.

cynthia

1/18/2021 05:55:32 am

love this breed

Emma

1/18/2021 05:14:22 pm

What an elegant, intelligent breed. Totally athletic, strangely polite (ate like a cat), aloof AND curious, and definitely independent. Very aggressive if they are annoyed with another dog. I don't think they're suited to hot weather and climates, but rather love cooler weather and snow. Mine had summer allergies and could be totally lethargic and sneezy. In the winter, whoa, he loved bounding in the snow, jumping high with effortless power, playing and running and exploring with endless energy. They have polar bear fur, so are comfortable in the cold and snow, and are great swimmers, too (fur is hollow). Despite the Jindo's gorgeous appearance, this is not a lap dog or indoor dog. This dog is smart, powerful, wants to run outside and was bred to hunt deer. Don't torture this breed by turning it into an indoor captive you use to fish for compliments. This breed is similar to a husky in temperament. They're too smart to follow commands of unintelligent people :)

Tammy's Pros and Cons to Being a Jindo Owner

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