Breed library

Jindo

Also known as Jindo, Korean Jindo.

Jindo photograph.
ARIRANG.jpg - Herocosmos. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ARIRANG.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Breed overview

The Jindo dog is an indigenous dog native to the island of Jindo in South Korea. It is also known as and formerly known as the Chindo dog. It is one of South Korea's National Treasures. It has a reputation for being loyal and good at tracking things. Due to its protected status within South Korea, only dogs born on Jindo Island can be officially registered as a Jindo by the Government of South Korea after an inspection. The dog was registered as a breed by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1998 and by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 2005.

  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: South KoreaBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The Jindo dog was researched by Tamezo Mori, a professor of Keijō Imperial University in February 1937 and it was registered as 53rd of Natural Treasure of the Government-General of Chōsen in May 1938.
  • The Jindo dog managed to survive Korea under Japanese rule between 1910 and 1945 due to Japanese biologists recognizing its similarity to Japan's native dogs, whereas other Korean dog breeds were killed by the Japanese.
  • In 1962, the Government of South Korea designated the Jindo as the 53rd 'Natural Treasure' (or translated as 'Natural Monument') (천연기념물; 天然記念物) and was thusly protected along with all designated Natural Treasures under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act the same year.
  • Because of the special status of the Jindo, it is very difficult to export pure Jindo Island Jindo dogs outside of Korea.
  • The Jindo Dogs Guild of Korea (한국 진돗개 조합), as of 2008, issues certificates of Korean Jindo dog purity, which specifies the registered number of the mother, sex, and birth date of the dog, as well as breeder's address, and certifies that the dog is purely of Jindo Island origin.

Size and appearance

Jindos are double-coated spitz-type dogs. The keen and alert appearance of the Jindo gives the impression of intelligence, strength, loyalty, and agility. Other features include forward-pointing upright ears.

  • Body mass reference: 15 - 19 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 15 - 19 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: Up to 19 kgBreed reference body mass. female, maximum.
  • Body mass reference: 15 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. female, minimum.
  • Body mass reference: 18 - 23 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 18 - 23 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: Up to 23 kgBreed reference body mass. male, maximum.
  • Body mass reference: 18 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. male, minimum.
  • Height reference: 45 - 50 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 45 - 50 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: Up to 50 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
  • Height reference: 45 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
  • Height reference: 50 - 55 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 50 - 55 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: Up to 55 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
  • Height reference: 50 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat length: medium
  • Coat texture: straight
  • Height category: medium
  • Height category: tall
  • Weight category: medium

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat length: medium
  • Coat texture: straight

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed history

The Jindo dog was researched by Tamezo Mori, a professor of Keijō Imperial University in February 1937 and it was registered as 53rd of Natural Treasure of the Government-General of Chōsen in May 1938. The Jindo dog managed to survive Korea under Japanese rule between 1910 and 1945 due to Japanese biologists recognizing its similarity to Japan's native dogs, whereas other Korean dog breeds were killed by the Japanese. In 1962, the Government of South Korea designated the Jindo as the 53rd 'Natural Treasure' (or translated as 'Natural Monument') (천연기념물; 天然記念物) and was thusly protected along with all designated Natural Treasures under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act the same year. Because of the special status of the Jindo, it is very difficult to export pure Jindo Island Jindo dogs outside of Korea. Jindos marched in the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Korean Jindo - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Korean Jindo, revision 1373174705. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Korean_Jindo&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:ARIRANG.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. ARIRANG.jpg - Herocosmos. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ARIRANG.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.