The past week has been one of new experiences for Moka. True to her breed, she has been cautious and suspicious of much, and is just starting to show her character and personality. She has been staying perched on her giant pillow, watching us go about our days. We have started to set our routine, with daily walks around the neighborhood and even an easy hike this past weekend.
Frequently asked questions
We get lots of questions from family and friends about Moka, and a lot of these questions are asked multiple times. Here are some of the most common.
What is a Jindo dog?
The Korean Jindo comes from a small island off the coast of South Korea named Jindo, which is from where the breed takes its name. The Jindo has lived on the island for thousands of years (some say centuries), living mostly free where they hunted with their owners and provided protection for their homes. In 1962, the breed was classed as a Natural Treasure by the South Korean government, and Jindo's are now protected by the Cultural Properties Protection Act.
What are the characteristics of this breed?
Jindo's do best with owners who can demonstrate very strong leadership. The Jindo can be challenging to train as they are intelligent and can be somewhat stubborn. They are not eager to please dogs (i.e., Labradors), and are considered independent. They are often described as:
loyal
protective but not generally aggressive
medium to high-energy
clean and calm in the house
What challenges do Jindo's face in their native South Korea?
An estimated 1 to 2 million dogs are kept on thousands of farms across South Korea (Humane Society International, 2022). Many of these dogs are kept and sold illegally to restaurants that sell dog meat on their menus. According to statistics from the Humane Society International, although the majority of Koreans (84 per cent) do not eat dog meat, the practice is still widely accepted as one that can help reduce the discomfort of the summer heat and enhance men's virility. The conditions at these dog meat farms are incredibly poor, with the animals suffering ongoing physical and mental abuse.
What's next for Moka?
This coming will will see the start of regular training for Moka. For the first few weeks, we just wanted to let her get settled and adapt to her new surroundings. Stay tuned for some basic trainings tips and a progress report on Moka.
Sources:
Human Society International. 2022. Available from: https://www.hsi.org/
American Kennel Club. 2022. Available from: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/jindo/
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