There is not a lot I know about Korea, but I do know that the Jindo dog is Korea’s national treasure. Although it looks a lot like the Shiba Inu, that is because they are related through the Spitz gene. They are gorgeous, very intelligent, extremely loyal, and vigilant. But, should you get a Jindo dog?

There are too many Jindos in dog shelters as the owner was not prepared to make the kind of commitment the dog needs from a pack leader. Before you adopt a Jindo, acquaint yourself with the needs of this breed and its temperamental aspects.

Highly Dominant – you have to know about the pack mentality of dogs and what it will take to show your dominance as the pack leader. If you cannot establish yourself as the pack leader, you will have a lot of problems with discipline. Check out Cesar Milan’s videos, you will get a lot of advice there.

Extremely Intelligent – this means that if you do not stimulate your Jindo, he will become bored and this could lead to destructive behavior. They will destroy anything they can not because they are misbehaving but are just amusing themselves through play. They can follow intricate instructions, they are keen hunters and therefore have good problem-solving skills.

They Are Very Independent – because of their ability to solve problems, they are able to think for themselves and this makes them very independent. They are one-person pets, protective towards their owners and property. Jindo’s do not do well with same-sex dogs and will not tolerate strange dogs. You need to do puppy training as soon as possible with your pup and have it socialize with other pups.

Need Exercise – your Jindo must be exercised every day as they are active dogs, You will also need a big yard for them to run in, but even with a large yard, they still must be exercised. Make sure that your yard is dog escape proof as your Jindo will escape if it can and roam the streets. They are very good escape artists.

Health – they are more prone to genetic diseases, however, it does not mean your dog will get sick. Clean your dog’s teeth on a regular basis as bad teeth or gums can shorten your dog’s life span. They are also susceptible to viral and bacterial infections, ensure that your dog is vaccinated to prevent this.

Because of the lean feature of the Jindo, people tend to feed them more, that can lead to obesity. Do feed your dog good nutritional dog food appropriate for its age, and throw away table scraps. Brush your dog’s teeth at least once a week.

Keep your dog’s coat beautiful by brushing it at least once a week, and keep in mind that twice a year she loses her hair to make way for the next season. Brushing its coat daily is then recommended.

Your Jindo will depend on you to take good care of it, and the rewards will be memorable. You will have a loyal, protective and intelligent companion for life.