Petzlover
Hailing from Korea, the Jindo dog's name is actually taken from the island Jindo. The dogs lived on the island for thousands of years, developing into a natural breed with good hunting skills.
They are also known as Jin Dog, Jindo-kae or Jindo-kyon. The exact origins of the Korean Jindo are unknown and it is believed to have been developed from different Mongolian breeds.
They were brought to the United States and been entered into the American Kennel Club.
The Jindo is a medium sized spitz-type dog breed which is well-proportioned with erect ears and a long tail which is held over the dog's back.
He stands at roughly 45 – 65cm and they weigh anything between 11 to 23kg. The coat of the dog is medium length and available in a number of colors – yellow, tan, red, white, brindle, black or bi-color such as black and tan.
When you look at the Jindo you get the impression of bright alertness and intelligence. He makes a great watchdog, and with his bright, alert eyes and upright ears, he just looks like he is on guard.
The Jindo has always been a hunting dog so he has learned to be bold, tenacious and alert. He is also brave, courageous, loving and loyal to his master, but you need to know that he is a dominant dog who will get on well with an owner who is fair, strong, patient, kind and firm.
These dogs are strong willed, independent and dominant as well as being intelligent. He will require socialization and training from an early age. Be fair, firm and consistent with your instructions which he will obey once he has been trained. With training he gets on well with children in the home but he is inclined to have some difficulty with accepting other dogs into the family.
As with any dog breed, the temperament of the Jindo will vary according to the environment he lives in and the type of owners he has. The typical Jindo is an affectionate dog with his human family, being a little bit reserved around strangers.
The Jindo makes an awesome pet for owners who enjoy an active lifestyle. A happy, contented Jindo becomes a devoted, loyal pet who wants to guard and protect his owner from strangers, for whom he is wary and reserved.
He is an intelligent pet too, being easy to train and socialize and while independent, he loves to spend time with his human family and is an all-round excellent pet.
The Korean Jindo dog is looked upon as a generally healthy dog breed with no serious genetic problems to talk about. Look out for eye diseases and dental decay as well as hypothyroidism, a common disease in dogs where you notice deterioration with the coat – thinning, dry and dull.
The dog’s skin also becomes flaky and you’ll notice that your once energetic pet is now gaining weight and is lethargic. Get him to the vet. Hypothyroidism can be treated simply by your vet to get your pet healthy once again.
The Jindo has a double coat and this sheds heavily about twice a year, so certainly during these shedding periods you will need to brush his coat twice a week to keep it free from loose hair.
Never just assume that your dog is healthy and happy. When you brush him, check him over for ticks and fleas, check him for any unusual lumps, make sure his nose is wet and that his eyes are bright. Look at the condition of his fur, check his teeth and inside his ears – there are lots of tell-tale signs that can indicate that all is not well with your pet and then you need to get him to the vet.
As a medium-sized breed, if you feed your dog commercially manufactured food, he will require a high quality food that has been formulated for a dog of his size and his activity levels. Mix some home-made cooked chicken, brown rice or pasta as well as vegetables into his kibble and try to include some raw meat in occasionally too. He needs to always have access to fresh, clean water.
The Jindo is a high energy dog, and with his bright face you can tell that he is always ready for action. Long ago he was bred to perform hunting and retrieving type jobs, and with their stamina, they require having a busy day.
They certainly require a significant amount of exercise and mental stimulation, so you will need to include him in your daily walks and give him exciting ball games.