All Korean Dog Breeds

1) Korean Jindo
Most likely the most famous Korean breed is the Korean Jindo. This breed is native and named after the Jindo island in South Korea.
It is a very old and ancient spitz type of a dog breed, with naturally strong high prey drive and protective instinct, which is why they can found utilization as guards and hunters. And they are excellent strong hunters, capable of hunting even dangerous prey, such as wild boars.
Of course, the Korean Jindo is also excellent and absolutely devoted companion. Their loyalty is extreme and they would do anything for their owners. On the other hand, they can be suspicious towards strangers, it is very natural for them to be alert and watchful when they are around someone new.

2) Pungsan Dog
If the Jindo is a typical Spitz from South Korea, than the Pungsan Dog is the most famous dog of North Korea. And the Pungsan and Jindo are extremely similar dogs, which most likely share the same ancestry and origin.
The Pungsan tends to be fluffier than their counterparts, but they have the same amazing hunting skills and it is said that they were used in the past to hunt in packs extremely dangerous animals, such as tigers or bears.

3) Sapsali
Not all Korean dogs are Spitzes. The Sapsali is on the first sight very different from Pungsan and Jindo. These shaggy coated dogs were highly valued in ancient times and they were actually dogs of the Korean royalty and they were viewed as lucky charms.
Sadly, in 1900s, they became almost extinct and today, thisaffectionate, lively and docile breed is extremely rare.

4) Donggyeongi
Another endangered breed is Donggyeongi, as it is estimated, that there are only few hundreads of purebred dogs alive these days. Interesting fact about this dog is, that they are naturally bob-tailed.
It is another Spitz from Korea which excels at hunting. It is a medium sized dog with quite muscular and athletic body and with absolutely devoted and loyal personality.

5) Korean Dosa Mastiff
Easily the largest and strongest Korean dog is Korean Dosa Mastiff. These dogs look intimidating and dangerous, but in reality, they are big gentle giants. These dogs are truly very sweet natured.
Unlike majority of Korean breeds, they do not have ancient history, as the Dosa Mastiff was developed in 1800s. But even though they are not extremely old, there are not many historical documents about them.

6) Jeju Dog
Another Spitz from Korea, to be more specific, from Jeju Korean Islands, is Jeju dog. It is probably the rarest of all Korean breeds and in 1986 only three pure Jeju dogs were found on the entire island of Jeju. From these three remaining dogs, the breed was reconstructed, but it is still, even today, extremely rare breed with current population estimated on 300 dogs.

7) Nureongi
The Nureongi is the last dog from Korea. It is a yellowish Spitz dog, with uncertain origin. Just like all the Korean dogs, even the Nureongi is absolutely loyal and devoted breed.
Sad thing about Nureongi is, that they are the primary breed raised for dog meat. The dog meat consumption is one of the biggest controversies in Korea and the Nureongi is the biggest victim of this Korean tradition.