Korea is famous for its dramas and music, but the majority of people do not know about the amazing and unique dog breeds that this beautiful country has to offer. This small country does not have too many unique dog breeds compared to China or Japan, but still, they offer these cute little unique seven breeds that are considered Korean.
These dog breeds are very rare outside Korea, and many of them face extinction and majority of these dogs have the ancestry of wolves and coyotes in their blood. So, without wait let’s learn about these unique breeds.
Korean Jindo
The Korean Jindo breed comes from the Jindo Island in South Korea. This breed is also known as Jindo, JindotGae.
Korean Jindo Appearance
The Korean Jindo is a sporting dog that stands tall between 18.5 inches to 21 inches. This breed weighs around 35 pounds to 60 pounds.
The Korean Jindo has a lifespan of around 12 years to 15 years. They have six different coat colors varying from white, fawn, brindle, gray, black, red, and a combination of black and tan.
Korean Jindo Temperament
The Korean Jindo pups are known to be intelligent and loyal. These dogs are easy to train and have a habit of pleasing their owners; they can be stubborn in the early stages and require patience.
These dogs can learn complicated and unique tricks and require a lot of socializing to adjust with others. They are generally loving and gentle, but at the same time, they are protective of their owner and vary of strangers.
Korean Mastiff
The Korean Mastiff is a heavy breed that comes from South Korea. This breed is also sometimes called Mee Kyun Dosa or Korean Dosa Mastiffs.
Korean Mastiff Appearance
The Korean Mastiffs have 23 inches to 30 inches and weigh around 150 pounds to 200 pounds. This large breed has short and thin coats and droopy but long ears.
This dog comes with wrinkles, especially on the face, and has a great range of colors. Their coats vary in shades of brown from dark brown to light brown and tan colored coats.
Korean Mastiff Temperament
A Korean Mastiff is a dog that requires spacious houses and is very a very friendly breed. These dogs are great companions but require proper training and socializing.
They are outgoing and enjoy meeting new dogs and people other than their owners. However, they go on guard if suspicious of strangers but also require to be kept on a leash.
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Sapsali
The Sapsali is a breed from South Korea. This hound breed group has Sapsal Gae, Sapsaree, Ghost Hunting Clever dog, and Exorcising Dog.
Sapsali Appearance
Sapsali is a breed that stands tall at the height of 19 inches to 24 inches and weighs around 33 pounds to 60 pounds. This breed has an average life span of 11 years to 13 years.
This purebred dog is a medium-sized to a large-sized dog that is from the hound group. They have various coat colors varying from black, brown, reddish-orange to golden and yellowish blonde.
Sapsali Temperament
The Sapsali is a good fortune dog in Korea and is one of the most loyal dogs breeds present. This breed is very laidback and good-natured.
They are great with other dogs and people and are known to be very affectionate towards their owners. This dog is also referred to as a lion dog and is very outstandingly patient and pleasant, and he gets along well with children.
Nureongi
Nureongi word means a yellow animal or object that has golden or yellow fur. The Nureongi is also known as yellow dog and is originated from South Korea.
Nureongi Appearance
The Nureongi usually weighs around 18 kilograms to 25 kilograms and height of 50 cm to 55 cm. They have ears like a bat, an erect tail, and a square-shaped body.
This breed has a double coat that has a longer outer coat and a soft but dense undercoat. In addition, this medium-sized breed usually has a fawn or yellow-colored coat and has musculature and unique coat patterns.
Nureongi Temperament
Nureongi dogs are athletic, hunting, agile, and alert dogs that usually go out in packs. This dog breed is very loyal, loving, and faithful to its owners and loves to make close bonds with its families.
These dogs are great with kids and other family members and also love to bark. However, they are sometimes aggressive towards others and are very intelligent dogs that are easy to train.
Donggyeongi
Donggyeongi is one of the endangered breeds that has been protected in South Korea and is also originated from South Korea. These bob-tailed dogs are also sometimes known as Daeng Gyeon and Donggyeong Gae.
Donggyeongi Appearance
Donggyeongi is a breed that stands between 17 inches to 22 inches and weighs around 31 pounds to 55 pounds. This Asian and Oceanic breed has a life span of 12 years to 14 years.
This dog breed has prick ears, is medium-sized, is a spitz-type of dog, and has short bob-tails making them extremely unique. They have coats in black, cream, white, or brown color present in various patterns and combinations.
Donggyeongi Temperament
Donggyeongi dogs are known to be devoted, friendly, and dependable. This breed is very rare and is very loyal to its owners.
These dogs are great companions, excellent guard dogs, and active dogs. They are strong-willed, intelligent, and alert dogs that require great training and space for running.
Also Read: 18 Dog Breeds With Wiry Hair
Pungsan Dog
Pungsan dog breed comes from a mountainous and hilly region of North Korea. This hunting dog breed is also sometimes called Phungsan, Poongsan, and Pungsangae.
Pungsan Dog Appearance
The Pungsan dog has a height of between 21 inches to 24 inches and weighs approximately around 45 pounds to 68 pounds. This breed has a lifespan of around 12 years to 15 years.
They have brown eyes, black nose with a cream or white colored thick coat. They have a medium-sized coat with straight hair that is highly dense, requiring daily brushing.
Pungsan Dog Temperament
Pungsan dog is known to be very loyal but protective when it comes to their owners or property. However, this breed is very independent compared to other Korean dogs and might become aggressive when other animals are present.
They are very powerful dogs, are great with children but not great if kept in a mixed pet household. They have high prey drive, strong territorial instincts, and are great watch and guard dogs while being intelligent at the same time.
Jeju Dog
Jeju dog is called Cheju dog, Chaeju, and JejuGae. This breed was at the nerve of extinction in 1986 and then was brought back and originated from Jeju Island present in South Korea.
Jeju Dog Appearance
Jeju dog stands at 48 cm to 54 cm of height while weighing from 18kgs to 25kgs. This breed looks similar to Jindo but is on the larger side.
The Jeju female looks like a fox, while males look more like wolves and have pointy and wide foreheads. These pups are muscular and have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years, with tones of fawn, white and brown colors.
Jeju Dog Temperament
Jeju is an excellent dog when it comes to being a watch or guard dog. They are very alert, fast, and courageous dogs.
This breed is large but easy to train and is good with others if socialized and trained properly. They have high territorial behaviors, are skilled hunters, and have an amazing sense of smell, making them great protective dogs for their owners.
Also Read: 18 of the Cleanest Dog Breeds for Neat Freaks
Korea is the home to many rare and glamorous dog breeds recognized for over forty years. So, here we end our list of 7 Korean dog breeds: Korean Jindo, Korean Mastiff, Sapsali, Nureongi, Donggyeongi, Pungsan dog, and Jeju dog. These charming dogs are full of fun, caring, and welcoming and are sure to steal your heart with their cuteness and adorable little things.
