Tammy's Pros and Cons to Being a Jindo Owner

- 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.

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• 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.

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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.