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Korean Dogs Posted by on Feb 24, 2011 in Culture

Do you like dogs? I myself do, and if you feel the same, let me tell you about some common dog breeds in Korea.

Sapsal Gae(삽살), which in English means Sapsal Dog, have been in Korea since the Silla era (57 BC – 935 AD). They are known to be furry and come in various colors like light brown, light grey, or yellowish orange. Sapsal dogs have held an important role in Korean society because they were originally believed to have the power to chase evil spirits away from their masters.

Jindo Gae (진돗개) can come in several colors. They can be white, grey, black or even reddish-white. Originally Jindo dogs were used to hunt deer and some Jindo dogs are still used for this reason, but some are also just normal house pets. Jindo dogs are known to be loyal and intelligent dogs. However, they can be quite a handful because they are extremely curious dogs.

The Dosa Gae (도사개) is the heaviest breed among Korean dogs. It has a wrinkled and scrunched up face. This unique look is what makes it look sad or disgruntled, and is a valued feature of this dog. Common colors include brown, red and orange. The Dosa dog is a relatively new dog to Korea. The origins of this dog may have started as late as the 19th century.

The Jeju Gae (제주개) is mostly found on Jeju Island, which is how the dog got its name. It is one of the larger dogs of Korea. The female Jeju dogs look like foxes, but the male Jeju dogs look like wolves. Jeju dogs have tawny brown fur and tend to have pointy tails and foreheads. They are considered rare and a dog of national pride.

Pungsan Gae (풍산개) are dogs that can be found mostly in North Korea. Originally, these dogs were hunting dogs and have strong running muscles. Pungsan dogs can be hard to manage because they require extensive exercise and have the habit of recklessly chewing things. However, Pungsan dogs are strong and have thick, white fur that allows them to be resistant to the cold.

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