Jindo dogs-Korean native dogs : A historical review

Lee, Chung-gil; Yoo, Gap-hyun

Korean Journal of Veterinary Research 1988;28(2):405-408.

Chung-gil Lee, Gap-hyun Yoo

College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University

진도견(珍島犬)- 우리나라의 고유견(固有犬)

이정길, 유갑현

전남대학교 수의과대학

Abstract

The origin of Jindo dogs has been controversial. It has been informed by words of mouth that they are the offsprings of either the digs of Sung dynasty (960~1279 A.D.) in China or the Mongolian dogs. Some breeds of dogs in Japan now have almost same appearance as Jindo dogs. The authors reviewed the history of Japan and found that Korean hunting dogs were sent to Japan in early 5th century, which was before Sung dynasty of China. Dr. Jae-Keun Ryu of National Institute of Environmental Research has done some work on serums of dogs of both Korea and Japan; the results of his serological and molecular biological studies indicated that Korean dogs were sent to Japan 1,300~2,500 years ago. Jindo dogs appear to be the descendants of the dogs of the Stone Age. They have adapted themselves to the unfavorable environment of Jindo island so that they can maintain pure line-age and wild nature until today. It was concluded that they are Korean native dogs, not the offsprings of the dogs of Sung dynasty or the Mongolian dogs.

Key Words: origin, Jindo dogs, Korean native dogs, Japan