Korean jindo dog

The Purebred Jindo

Temperament

The Jindo is a medium-sized spitz-type dog that originated from the Jindo Island in Korea. Similar in appearance to the smaller Shiba Inu and the larger Akita, it was originally bred for hunting game as small as rodents to as large as deer. Almost all Jindos possess strong wills (even the ones that seem deceptively compliant) and have independent minds. They love to roam and are quite the free spirits. They tend to be the dominant type, trying to get things their own way, and can be very protective of their loved ones and territory. Because of these traits, Jindos are not recommended for inexperienced owners. Like most independent breeds, they need (and thrive under) firm but loving handling and consistency. Owners need to set the rules and stick with them. An owner who has earned the respect of his/her Jindo will be rewarded with unsurpassed loyalty and obedience. As with all breeds, the Jindo temperament varies with the quality of breeding and environment. The typical Jindo is very affectionate with its loved ones and reserved with strangers. A typical Jindo will not show affection toward people it has just met. At its most expressive, it is friendly in a gentle way. It is an excellent watchdog and will guard the home and family to the death if necessary. Early socialization to friendly strangers, other dogs, cats, and especially children is strongly recommended because Jindos are instinctively protective and have high prey drives. Because of their prey drives, they are usually not reliable around smaller animals such as hamsters and rabbits.In Korea, there are no leash laws and Jindos are allowed to roam freely. Their only aggression seems to be directed at other dogs and only as a means of establishing dominance or territories.

The Korean Jindo

Previous Carousel Slide

• 

• Check out breeds related to the The Korean Jindo

Next Carousel Slide 6 min read

By Paula Fitzsimmons

With erect ears, a thick tail and an athletic build, the Korean Jindo is a wolflike dog breed originating in South Korea. Jindo dogs are excellent problem solvers, are fiercely loyal and have a strong drive to hunt, traits that have secured their position as hunters and guardians in their homeland.

They continue to serve in these roles to a certain degree in the US, but Jindo dogs have primarily become cherished family members.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has not yet recognized the Korean Jindo as a new dog breed; it is in the organization’s Foundation Stock Service awaiting recognition.

Many American Jindo breeders rely on the breed standards set by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).

Physical Characteristics

Like the Akita, American Eskimo Dog, Chow Chow, Siberian Husky and other dog breeds with a wolflike appearance, the Korean Jindo is a Spitz breed.

Jindo dogs are athletic, well-proportioned, medium-size pups who differ distinctly by their sex. Females tend to look slimmer with more angular features, while males tend to be stockier and more broadly built, says Nichole Royer, a founding member of the Korean Jindo Association of America.

The FCI standard height for males is 19 ½-21 ½ inches with a weight of 40-50 pounds. Females are a couple of inches shorter and weigh 33-41 pounds, says Royer.

Like wolves, the Jindo’s ears are heavily furred and have rounded tips. “Very importantly, when alert, their ears are hooded, meaning they lean forward past the vertical when viewed from the side, and they never have ears that simply point straight up,” Royer says.

They have strong, well-feathered tails. “Jindos may carry their tail loosely curled with the tip brushing the back, or may have a sickle tail with a gentle curve carried high and not touching their back, or they may have a saber tail, pointing straight up. Their tails never curl tightly and never lay on their back or side,” says Royer.

Jindo dogs have a double coat consisting of a soft, fuzzy undercoat and stiff outercoat, which Royer says presents in six general colors: red, white, black and tan, brindle, gray, and solid black.

“They have a quick and elastic trot, which makes it easy for the Jindo to travel quickly over any terrain,” says Gina DiNardo, executive secretary of the AKC in New York City. Being able to move rapidly on any type of landscape is essential to hunting success.

Personality and Temperament

Jindos are fiercely loyal and protective, traits they tend to reserve for one person or family. “While they should be calm, confident and never aggressive without reason, they are also a reserved and careful breed that often is not particularly interested in interacting with people or dogs outside their own family and pack,” explains Royer.

However, “a well-socialized Jindo will accept and even enjoy attention from someone who is accepted by their owner,” Royer says.

The Jindo dog breed is highly independent and has a strong aptitude for problem-solving. “Jindos are able to make decisions on their own and are not necessarily looking to their owners for direction. While very intelligent and easily trained, they are also easily bored,” says Royer.

If you plan to get more than one Jindo, consider the dogs’ sex. “Same-sex dog aggression is the norm for the breed, and opposite-sex companions are the most successful,” says Royer.

As a breed with a high prey drive, Jindos need daily physical exercise and mental stimulation. “Outdoors, they are very active, continually looking for prey and patrolling the property,” Royer says. “Inside the home, they are alert and like to position themselves near their owners. However, they are restful and calm indoor companions.”

They will often follow their human around the house, “not being clingy, but happy to curl up in a corner where they can simply be near and watch over their person or family,” says DiNardo.

Care

When provided an outlet for their energy, Jindos are calm and quiet while indoors, says Royer. “As a guard dog breed, Jindos are programmed to observe and react to anything unusual or out of place in their environment. For this reason, they require socialization as puppies so that they develop a broad concept of what is normal in the world.”

Though intensely loyal to the family, Jindo dogs are also independent thinkers. “They will temper their obedience with their own judgment,” Royer says. “It is best for owners to take their dogs through one or more training classes to cement their bond and provide good basic Canine Good Citizen skills,” says Royer.

The Korean Jindo is an athletic breed that needs a reasonable amount of physical and mental stimulation, says DiNardo. “They enjoy sports like lure coursing and agility and are happy to turn their athleticism to any active task, even if it’s a nice long walk.”

Jindos typically have little body odor and will often clean themselves, similar to a cat, says Royer. “Most of the year they require weekly brushing to minimize shedding and an occasional bath. Twice a year Jindos will ‘blow’ their coat and most of their undercoat will come out in a fairly short period of time. During this time they will shed excessively and continuously, and daily brushing (and vacuuming) becomes necessary.”

Health

Jindos are generally robust dogs who have few health issues. With optimal care, they have an average lifespan of 11 to 13 years.

Health conditions that have been identified in multiple dogs are hypothyroidism and discoid lupus erythematosus (cutaneous lupus erythematosus), a skin disease that may cause a variety of symptoms, including depigmentation of the lip and nose, lesions that can bleed, loss of tissue and scar formation, says Royer.

There have also been isolated cases of cataracts, hip dysplasia, seizures, environmental allergies and cystinuria, an inherited disease that leads to kidney, ureter and bladder stones, Royer says. “However, none of these issues have been documented with frequency.” A responsible breeder will test for these diseases.

History and Background

The Korean Jindo originated on Jindo Island, which is located off South Korea’s southwest coast.

“The dogs lived unrestrained on the island alongside their owners for thousands of years to develop into a natural breed with reputable hunting abilities,” DiNardo explains. “Jindos were originally used as hunting dogs in their native country due to their prey instinct and strict loyalty.”

They were expected to hunt and kill small game, then bring the prey home, says Royer. “They also hunted deer and wild boar in small packs. This hunting instinct is still very strong in the breed, and many owners still hunt with their dogs.”

Their strong hunting drive is also relied on here in the US. “There are many Jindos ridding their owners’ property of vermin such as rats, squirrels and rabbits. Jindos have also proven excellent at lure coursing and barn-hunt activities,” says Royer.

In 1962, the Republic of Korea Preservation of Cultural Assets Act No. 53 was passed, which gave Jindos the title of “Natural Monument (No. 53).”

The Jindo is not yet on the AKC breeds list but has been in its Foundation Stock Service since 2008, says DiNardo. “It is where breeds that are in the process of becoming recognized are grouped.”

Mixed-breed Jindo dogs and rescued imports from Korea are fairly common, and there are occasionally litters from parents that are supposedly purebred but unregistered, says Royer.

“There are only around 20 AKC-registered Jindos in the US. We only have two breeders in the US who are actively involved with the breed, health test their dogs and carefully screen new owners. So we are still a very small group, but always hoping to grow,” adds Royer.

The Korean Jindo Dog (Jindogae) or Chindo is a Spitz type hunting dog that originated on Jindo Island, South Korea. We know with certainty that Jindos existed on this Island for centuries, but the way in which they got there remains a mystery. However, there are few theories about the actual origin of this breed, but scientists still cannot precisely determine which one of them is correct. According to the first theory, Jindos evolved from dogs that ended up on this Korean Island after the Chinese ship had a shipwreck off its coast. This accident happened at the time of the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Second theory tells that Chindos are in fact descendants of dogs that were imported from Mongolia around 1400 to be guardians at the national ranch located in the Jindo County.

According to the third theory, Jindo Gae is the descendant of ancient Korean dogs bred by the natives since the Neolithic. Supposedly, this is the main reason Koreans claim its genetic pool has always been relatively pure. But probably the most accurate is the fourth theory that states these dogs evolved through crossbreeding with Mongolian dogs that were brought on Jindo Island, around the 13th century, when the Mongol armies invaded Korea. All this is up for debate, but one thing certain is that this truly is a unique and treasured dog. In fact, Korean Jindo Dog is considered today a National Treasure in its native country. Since 2005, this dog breed has by the FCI been included on the definitive basis in the group 5: Asian Spitz and Related Breeds in the class of primitive dogs together with many other Spitz breeds from the Far East.

Korean Jindo Dog Personality

The Korean Jindo Dog is a sturdy hunting dog that is very agile, resourceful, devoted, smart, and eager to please. Think of him as a combination of two most famous Asian breeds – the Akita Inu and the Shiba Inu – both in temperament and in appearance. This dog is also known as a nice and gentle family companion and an excellent watchdog. Truly, Chindo is incredibly affectionate and loyal to all family members to the point he is literally obsessed with them. He will do anything possible to please its masters and will gladly join them during their daily activities. However, since this is a pack-oriented dog with the strong sense of hierarchy, his primary owner must be a true leader with the firm attitude. When it comes to children, you have to be aware of two things. Korean Jindo is an ALPHA dog that will always strive for the highest possible position in the pack (family). Also, this is a hunting dog that retains a very strong hunting instinct, so he can instantly switch to aggressive behavior. This means that he won’t tolerate (and will punish) any kind of abusive behavior from, in his opinion, lower ranked members of the pack.

Lovely but dangerous!

So, in order to be a nice companion for children, every Chindo has to be raised or socialized with them in an early age. Once this dog gets used to them, he can become a wonderful playmate for every child. However, you will still have to watch them closely while playing, especially if there are some unknown or younger kids around. Early socialization is also very important when it comes to strangers as well as other pets and dogs. Indeed, Korean Jindo is known as a territorial dog that is usually very protective of its human family. Besides, he is naturally aloof and suspicious with strangers and is also very alert and sensitive to all changes in his surroundings. These are all qualities that make KJD such a great watchdog as well as a good guard dog. However, when we add into the mix its bold, proud and fierce spirit, it is not hard to guess that Jindo Gae won’t hesitate to aggressively confront and even bite anybody that comes uninvited at owner’s property. What’s even worse, sometimes he won’t even bark a warning before attacking. That’s why it is mandatory that he meets people of all ages and profiles during socialization.

Almost the same thing is with other pets and dogs. Dominant nature and strong hunting instincts of the Korean Jindo Dog can be a real pain in the ass in this case. You have to know that Chindo won’t hesitate to hunt down and kill every cat on sight. The same is true for other small pets, such as hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc. In fact, these rodents won’t ever be safe with this dog around, doesn’t matter what. It is best to keep them fenced or out of his reach. Well, what else could you expect from a natural born hunter? All these small animals are like sitting ducks to him; too TEMPTING! Even other dogs won’t be treated any better from this hot-headed bastard 🙂 He will try to establish his dominance in every possible way, even if that means fight. This is especially true for dogs of the same sex as well as dogs that enter his territory. So, you should definitely have to socialize your dog with other pets or, what’s even better, raise him together with them. However, keep in mind that a Korean Jindo will always look to challenge other dogs for a dominant position in the pack. In order to control this annoying habit, you will have to put your KJD through intensive obedience training.

Jindo Gae Training Tips

So, the question is – is it easy to train a Korean Jindo Dog? Judging by his hardheaded attitude, cleverness and independent thinking, it might look like a really hard task, but the truth lies somewhere in the middle. You see, KJD is indeed an ALPHA dog that will challenge you on so many levels. However, on the good side, this is a very smart dog with good memory. Indeed, every Chindo can easily learn even the most complex commands, but only in the hands of an experienced and dominant leader. This is the reason he is not recommended for first-time owners. The hardest part about Jindo Dog training is to get him interested and engaged. So, it is very important to be patient, calm and respectful while working with this dog. You should start training a puppy at the age of 6-8 weeks. Remember to go step by step with short training lessons, always bringing something new to the table. Recommended is the use of positive reinforcement methods, so make sure to prepare some tasty rewards for him. Shouting or use of force is out of question! With adequate training, Jindo Gae can even compete in agility, tracking and obedience trials.

Other Characteristics And Traits

Main Korean Jindo Dog characteristics are high intelligence, strong loyalty, cat-like agility, strength, endurance, strong will, independence, resourcefulness, alertness, boldness, stubbornness, and curiosity. Indeed, this is a really curious dog that likes to roam and explore surroundings looking for food or some fun. On top of that, he is very agile, dexterous, athletic, and can jump incredibly high, all of which makes him capable to easily climb over walls or fences. In other words, he is an incredible escape artist. However, unlike the Siberian Husky, for example, Jindo Gu will return home after some time. In fact, he possesses jaw dropping homing ability and is able to find a way back home from very distant places. A dog named Baekgu returned to his previous owner from a place 300 km away, which is quite remarkable! Nonetheless, if you intend to own this dog, it would be best to prevent this naughty habit. For that purpose, you will need at least 6-feet high fencing around your yard that’s placed deep into the ground. Yeah, in case you didn’t know, Jindo is an excellent digger too 🙂

Where is that boar? 🙂

The good thing for all of you who wish to own a Korean Jindo, but have no such wall or fence around your yard (or have no yard at all), is that you can easily keep this dog in your house or apartment. As strange as it might sound, Jindos are in fact recommended for housekeeping! Now, there are many reasons, why is that so. One of them is that they require a lot of care and attention, which is quite common for all pack-oriented dogs. Also, Chindos are known as clean and quiet dogs (not prone to excessive barking) that are easy to housebreak. With a little of smart potty training, this dog will never poop indoors. What’s even better, whenever he poops, he will cover the mess with soil. Lovely 🙂 However, there are two rules that you’ll have to respect in order to keep your dog happy and calm. First one is that you should never leave your Jindo alone for a long stretch because he will definitely find some way to entertain himself or, in other words, to make a mess. He can literally create a disaster in no time, so take this warning very seriously! Second one is that you should exercise your dog as often as you can!

Chindo Health And Levels Of Activity

Indeed, the Korean Jindo is certainly not some couch potato pet that will just lay around indefinitely. No! He is in fact a working “machine” and is almost tireless. This is one of those high-energy primitive dogs that can work a whole damn day. Such active and energetic dog definitely demands to be exercised a lot both physically and mentally. So, yeah, you will have to work with your Jindogae as much as possible! Long walks, jogs or hikes should be practiced at least once a day, but try to avoid dog parks for the already mentioned reasons. Also, it is advisable to keep your Chindo on a leash while walking in an urban setting to keep him out of trouble. Apart from long walks, you should always practice some interesting games with your dog, such as hide-and-seek, find the treat, play with toys, fetch game, etc. These games are particularly important if you keep your Jindo indoors. Now, when you know how energetic this dog really is, it is more than clear that he is an ideal companion for active individuals and sportsmen.

The usual lifespan of a Korean Jindo is around 12-15 years. This is a relatively healthy breed that is usually susceptible to some common dog diseases and parasites, but can, also, although rarely, suffer from serious genetic problems. Some of these health issues are hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and patellar luxation. Jin Dog‘s great resistance to health problems can be attributed to the natural development of the breed with negligible human involvement. However, this dog is in “serious danger” of one thing – you know it under the name WATER! Yep, you read that right. Korean Jindo can display, believe it or not, a strange aversion from simple running water. Of course, this doesn’t mean your dog won’t drink it, but he will avoid getting wet any way possible. Unfortunately, as funny as it seems, it might be a serious problem. Usually, Chindo will express reluctance to bathing and will avoid swimming in running water. However, there have been evidenced cases of Jindos afraid to go out in the rain. So, if you notice similar aversion with your dog, remember to keep him indoors during rainy days and try not to force him into water.

Jindo Gae Physical Characteristics

The Korean Jindo is a typical medium-sized dog of squarish shape – the height at withers and length are approximately of the same measures. However, there are three types of Jindo Dogs based on the shape of their bodies – Hudu or Heutgae (Jindos with slender body type that are a bit longer than tall at withers. These dogs have slightly elongated loin, ears, muzzle, and head.), Tonggol or Gyupgae (Jindos with muscular body type that have equal proportions of length and height at the withers. These dogs have deeper chest.) and Gakgol (Jindos that are basically long as Hudu dogs, but have chest deep as Tonggol dogs). The short-haired double coat is thick and gentle down the hair. The undercoat is soft and dense and topcoat is straight and plush. Jindos are better suited to cold weather, but with adequate care they can easily withstand hot weather. These dogs do not need a lot of grooming, except during shedding periods. The good thing, considering its aversion for water, is that you will just rarely have to bathe your dog because of his self-cleaning coat. Main Jindo Gae colors are red, fawn, white, black and white, yellow, grey, and brindle (black and tan).

The Korean Jindo Dog has a Dingo-like, wedge-shaped head with the broad skull and pointed muzzle. The lips are black and teeth meet in a scissors bite. The nose is black on all but white dogs, which can have the shades of pink and tan on their noses. The almond-shaped eyes come in different shades of brown, but light brown eyes are not preferred. The triangular ears are erect, well-furred and carried slightly forwards. The strong neck is proportional to the head. The chest with well-sprung ribs is rather deep reaching the elbows, but not that broad. The strong and thick tail is usually carried curled or in the form of a sickle atop the dog’s straight and strong back. The loin is narrower than the chest and is very muscular. The forelegs are straight and elongated below the elbows. The hind legs are slightly angled, well-muscled and very powerful. The cat-like feet with hard pads are rounded and well-furred. With such constitution, it is perfectly clear that Jindos are very agile and athletic dogs that are able to jump incredibly high and to move lightly and swiftly.

Korean Jindo Dog Size And Weight

Male
– Height between 19,5 and 21,5 inches (48-55 cm)
– Weight between 40 and 60 pounds (18-27 kg)
Female
– Height between 17 and 20 inches (43-50 cm)
– Weight between 35 and 55 pounds (16-25 kg)

Beautiful, agile and athletic hunter!

Incredibly Resourceful Hunting Dog

The Korean Jindo is a very resourceful dog that possesses all the qualities needed for big, medium and small game hunting. He is highly intelligent, cunning, agile, strong, fast, hardy, persistent, and, above all, he is incredibly courageous. Besides, he has keen senses, strong pack mentality, and can easily move across any terrain, doesn’t matter how harsh it is. However, the thing that separates Chindo from many other hunting dogs is his insanely strong prey drive that is more akin to some wild predators. It is the main reason some people think Jindogae is more of a canine species than an actual dog breed. Indeed, this dog is literally a natural hunter that won’t just chase or bay its prey, he will try to kill it! There have been many cases of Jindo Dogs able to kill a deer or a coyote on their own. Now imagine what would a pack of well-trained Jindos do to their prey? The best answer to this question can be found in a certain legend, according to which, three Jindos killed a Siberian tiger! Incredible! In fact, in Korea there is a traditional way of boar and deer hunting without guns – just a hunter with a pack of these dogs. It works in a way that Jindos kill a game, and then one of them returns to the hunter and lead him to the prey while other dogs guard it.

Loyalty Of Jindos

The loyalty of dogs from the Far East is already legendary (remember Hachikō), and the Korean Jindo is no exception. The unwavering loyalty of this dog to one single owner (or family) is a thing to be admired. The bonds between the two are so strong that a Chindo will never abandon or forget his primary owner. There have been many cases in which Jindos returned to their previous owners after being sold to new ones. Also, these dogs are known to mourn their owner’s death, which just shows how affectionate and sensible they really are. So, as you can see, this is a type of dog that will never betray your trust. The moment you earn his respect, you will instantly become his Alpha and Omega and he will always be by your side, no matter what. However, you have to know that since the Government of South Korea declared in 1962 the Korean Jindo as the National Treasure, the breed received a special status that prevents any exportation of purebred dogs outside Korea. That is why Jindos are very rare abroad and are, of course, very hard to come by. But, if you’re looking for a loyal companion that will always be there for you, then it would definitely be worth a try to find and buy this dog.

Le jindo coréen est une race de chien de chasse redoutable avec un sens de l’orientation exceptionnel.

Fiche d’identité

Noms : Jindo coréen, Spitz coréen de Jindo, Korea Jindo dog.

Taille : entre 50 et 55 cm pour les mâles et entre 45 et 50 cm pour les femelles.

Poids : entre 18 et 23 kg pour les mâles et entre 15 et 19 kg pour les femelles.

Couleur : les robes sont majoritairement blanches ou fauves. Certains Jindo coréen ont des robes noires, noires et feu, gris loup et rayés.

Corps : de taille intermédiaire et bien proportionné. Il dégage une impression de force, et de souplesse.

Poil : composé d’un sous poil doux et abondant et d’un poil très court.

Tête : de forme triangulaire, elle est bien proportionnée par rapport au reste du corps. Le stop est marqué.

Oreilles : elles sont en forme de triangle et bien droites.

Queue : elle atteint la pointe du jarret. Le poil y est abondant. Elle est portée recourbée en forme de faucille. L’attache est haute.

Espérance de vie : entre 12 et 13 ans.

Un peu d’histoire

Aucun document ne permet actuellement de retracer l’histoire de la race. Il semblerait cependant que la race soit originaire de Jindo. Elle existerait depuis des siècles et serait une race endémique.

Comportement et capacités

Le jindo coréen est un chien de chasse qui a gardé intact son instinct. Il est pourvu d’un sens de l’orientation exceptionnel. Il se révèle redoutable face à sa proie.

Le Korea Jindo dog est très attaché à son maître. Il est très suspicieux envers les inconnus et n’aime pas être caressé. On peut le laisser avec des enfants sous surveillance bien sûr.

Il ne supportera pas la vie en appartement, il est préférable de l’accueillir dans une maison avec un grand jardin fermé. Il est bagarreur avec les autres mâles. L’éducation devra être très ferme.

Problèmes de santé

Cette race n’est sensible à aucune maladie en particulier.

Jindo Coréen

Standard FCI N°334 (25.09.1998)

ASPECT GÉNÉRAL

Chien de taille moyenne, bien proportionné, utilisé pour la chasse et pour la garde. Avec ses oreilles dressées, sa queue enroulée ou en forme de faucille, il est l’expression vivante de l’agilité, de la force, d la vigilance et de la dignité.
Proportions importantes : Rapport entre la taille et la longueur du corps = 10:10,5
Taille : Mâles de 50 à 55 cm (idéal 53 à 54 cm). Femelles de 45 à 50 cm (idéal 48 à 49 cm).
Poids : Mâles de 18 à 23 kg. Femelles de 15 à 19 kg.

ROBE

Poil : Double. Le sous-poil est doux, dense, de couleur claire, plus court que le poil de couverture,
mais suffisant pour le soutenir. Le Poil de couverture est raide et quelque peu écarté du corps. En comparaison du poil du corps, celui de la tête, des membres et des oreilles est plus court et le poil de l’encolure, du garrot, du dos et de la croupe est plus long. Le poil de la queue et à l’arrière des cuisses est plus long que celui du reste du corps.
Couleur : les plus courantes sont le fauve et le blanc. Il existe aussi des chiens noirs, noir et feu, gris-loup et bringés.

TÊTE

Globalement, la tète, vue de dessus, forme un triangle émoussé et ne donne pas un air lourd et grossier au chien.
Région crânienne
Crâne : Il est d’un volume moyen en proportion du corps. Le sommet est légèrement bombé. Le crâne va en diminuant graduellement vers les yeux. La largeur entre les yeux est modérée par rapport au volume du crâne.
Stop : Bien marqué, mais pas très accusé. Présence d’un léger sillon s’étendant vers le front.
Région faciale
Museau : Il ne doit pas être massif ni retroussé.
Lèvres : De couleur noire ou violet foncé, parfaitement jointives, minces, non pendantes. La lèvre supérieure recouvre légèrement la lèvre inférieure.
Mâchoires/dents : Dents très fortes, articulé en ciseaux.
Joues : Bien développées, sèches et modérément arrondies, vues de face ou de profil. Elles se rétrécissent vers l’avant.
Yeux : De couleur brun foncé, plutôt petits par rapport au volume de la tête, de forme triangulaire, très vifs. La commissure externe de chaque oeil est disposée obliquement en direction de l’oreille.
Oreilles : De dimensions moyennes, de forme triangulaire, épaisses et parfaitement dressées. Elles ne sont attachées ni haut ni bas. Elles pointent légèrement vers l’avant, dans la ligne du profil supérieur du cou. A l’intérieur des oreilles, on recherche un poil de texture fine et dense.

COU

Plutôt bien proportionné et épais, sans fanon, bien musclé et fort. Le Jindo Coréen porte son encolure fièrement, et la redresse quand son attention est éveillée.

CORPS

De longueur légèrement supérieure à la hauteur au garrot.
Dos : Fort et droit.
Rein : Bien musclé, tendu, sec et plus étroit que la cage thoracique.
Poitrine : Forte et moyennement haute, mais pas trop large. Son point le plus bas se situe juste au-dessus du coude, mais on admet qu’il soit au niveau du coude. Côtes bien cintrées. Poitrine bien développée dans la région sternale.
Ventre : Remonté.

QUEUE

Quand elle est abaissée, l’extrémité doit atteindre le jarret. Elle est attachée assez haut. Elle se tient bien droit, sans se balancer quand le chien est en action. En forme de faucille ou enroulée, l’extrémité touchant le dos ou le flanc. Elle ne doit pas être trop enroulée sur elle-même. Elle est garnie d’un poil abondant.

MEMBRES ANTÉRIEURS

Les antérieurs sont droits et parallèles, vus de face.
Épaules : Fortes et puissantes. Coude: Au corps, tourné ni en dehors ni on dedans.
Métacarpe : Légèrement oblique, vu de profil.
Pieds antérieurs : Pieds de chat, aux doigts assez courts. Assez arrondis, compacts et serrés. Les ongles sont forts. On les préfère noirs. Coussinets durs et bien développés.

MEMBRES POSTÉRIEURS

Vu de profil, les postérieurs donnent l’impression de pousser le corps légèrement en avant. Vu de derrière, ils sont droits, parallèles, pas trop écartés ni trop serrés. On doit faire l’ablation des ergots.
Cuisses : Bien développées.
Grassets : Modérément angulés.
Jarrets : Bien descendus, ni droits, ni disposés bas vers l’arrière.
Pieds postérieurs : Identiques aux pieds antérieurs.

ALLURES

Le Jindo Coréen ne doit pas aller l’amble au trot. Le dessus doit rester ferme et horizontal et il ne doit pas y avoir de roulis à l’arrière. Au trot, le chien porte la tête haute, mais quand la vitesse augmente, la tète est portée assez bas, presque au niveau des épaules. La partie supérieure de la queue bouge légèrement selon les changements de direction du chien.

DÉFAUTS

Tout écart par rapport à ce qui précède doit être considéré comme un défaut qui sera pénalisé en fonction de sa gravité.
Musculature insuffisante. Ossature trop épaisse ou trop fine. Denture juste (incisives bout à bout). Oreilles insuffisamment dressées, trop écartées. Queue tombante, queue courte. Surangulation. Jarrets droits, jarrets de vache, jarrets en tonneau. Poil long. Poil extrêmement court. Démarche heurtée, allure guindée.

DÉFAUTS ÉLIMINATOIRES

Taille trop grande ou trop petite. Femelle qui ressemble à un mâle. Mâle qui ressemble à une femelle. Manque de plus de trois dents. Manque de pigmentation, albinisme. Chien craintif.
N.B. : Les mâles doivent avoir deux testicules d’aspect normal complètement descendus dans le scrotum.

Oreille pointue, poil court, le chien de chasse Jindo est un symbole de la Corée du Sud, officiellement classé au rang de Trésor National depuis 1962. Pour que sa lignée reste la plus pure possible, les éleveurs et les autorités coréennes ont pris des mesures radicales.

Chien de taille moyenne connu pour sa loyauté féroce, le Jindo porte le nom de l’île rurale dont il est originaire, au large de la côte sud de la péninsule coréenne.

A Jindo, les visiteurs sont accueillis par des enseignes et des statues du chien éponyme. Mais l’apparence bucolique de l’île contraste avec l’apartheid rigide imposé sur place aux canidés: tout chien qui ne peut prouver son pedigree ou qui ne répond pas à des normes strictes définies pour préserver la race est immédiatement exilé.

Pour pouvoir se rendre sur l’île, chaque Jindo doit bénéficier d’une autorisation officielle et être soigné.

« Nous protégeons la race en ne laissant pas les chiens enregistrés quitter l’île et en n’autorisant pas la venue de ceux qui n’ont pas de permis du gouvernement », explique Cha Jae-Nam, qui dirige le Centre de recherche et de test sur le Jindo.

Ce centre étatique dépense deux milliards de wons (1,75 million de dollars) par an pour ce qu’il appelle la préservation « systématique et scientifique » de la race Jindo.

« Pour les humains, il n’est pas courant d’effectuer un test de paternité sur les nouveau-nés. Mais nous, nous le faisons pour tous les chiots à la naissance », explique M. Cha à l’AFP. « Ils reçoivent un certificat de naissance s’ils correspondent à l’ADN de leurs parents. Et s’ils ne le font pas, ils doivent quitter l’île. »

Pureté raciale

Cette politique canine sans concessions fait écho à une notion de pureté raciale typique de la Corée du Sud, une société exceptionnellement homogène où la population est à environ 96% d’origine ethnique coréenne et où les métissages peuvent être très mal vus.

En ce qui concerne les Jindos, même une filiation incontestable n’assure pas leur survie.

A l’âge de six mois, le chiot fait l’objet d’une évaluation rigoureuse (forme des oreilles, des pattes, de la queue, de la tête…). S’il franchit avec succès cet examen, il est alors officiellement enregistré comme Trésor National, un statut dont bénéficient les quelque 6.000 Jindos de l’île.

Ces contrôles rigoureux permettent à M. Cha de déclarer que « tous les chiens Jindos dans le comté de Jindo sont de race pure ». Mais si le chiot échoue, il est exilé.

L’obsession d’une lignée « pure » de Jindos signifie que certains éleveurs abandonnent les chiots ne répondant pas aux critères, déplore Chae Il-Taek, directeur de l’Association coréenne pour le bien-être animal. Une « discrimination qui porte atteinte à la dignité des animaux », dénonce-t-il.

Bien souvent, les Jindos déchus finissent dans les assiettes, relève M. Chae. « Un grand nombre de chiens expulsés de l’île de Jindo sont vendus à des producteurs de viande de chien. »

Les Sud-Coréens consommeraient entre 1,5 et 2,5 millions de chiens chaque année, selon les groupes de défense des droits des animaux, bien que cette pratique culinaire décline chez les jeunes générations.

Chouchou des dirigeants

Les dirigeants sud-coréens adorent les Jindos. L’ex-président Kim Dae-Jung avait même offert un couple de chiens Jindos à la Corée du Nord au début des années 2000, dans le cadre de sa « politique du rayon de soleil ». Park Geun-Hye, la présidente destituée récemment à la suite d’une retentissante affaire de corruption, en avait neuf… qu’elle a toutefois laissés derrière elle en quittant son poste.

Dans un laboratoire du centre de test, sous des lumières fluorescentes, le chercheur Kim Jong-Seok ouvre fièrement un réfrigérateur à double porte contenant des rangées de flacons de sang. Des échantillons d’ADN de tous les Jindos nés sur l’île sont conservés là, assurent les responsables des lieux.

Pour M. Kim, qui étudie cette race canine depuis deux décennies, les contrôles méticuleux sont nécessaires si l’on veut garder les Jindos en bonne santé. « La consanguinité des familles royales a entraîné de nombreuses déformations chez les humains », dit-il. « Nous empêchons (ici) diverses maladies et déformations ».

De leur côté, les éleveurs de Jindos s’accommodent très bien de cette politique raciale radicale, qui leur permet de vendre un chiot « pur » au prix d’un millier de dollars.

« Mais nous ne nous plaignons pas » parce que même si « les procédures comme le dépistage sont gênantes et fastidieuses », « cela génère des revenus », dit-il, alors qu’une poignée de chiots joueurs chahute à ses pieds.

Un chien de chasse Jindo dans sa cage au Centre de recherche et de test sur le Jindo, le 20 mars 2017 sur l’île de Jindo, en Corée du Sud / AFP

Oreille pointue, poil court, le chien de chasse Jindo est un symbole de la Corée du Sud, officiellement classé au rang de Trésor National depuis 1962. Pour que sa lignée reste la plus pure possible, les éleveurs et les autorités coréennes ont pris des mesures radicales.

Chien de taille moyenne connu pour sa loyauté féroce, le Jindo porte le nom de l’île rurale dont il est originaire, au large de la côte sud de la péninsule coréenne.

A Jindo, les visiteurs sont accueillis par des enseignes et des statues du chien éponyme. Mais l’apparence bucolique de l’île contraste avec l’apartheid rigide imposé sur place aux canidés: tout chien qui ne peut prouver son pedigree ou qui ne répond pas à des normes strictes définies pour préserver la race est immédiatement exilé.

Pour pouvoir se rendre sur l’île, chaque Jindo doit bénéficier d’une autorisation officielle et être soigné.

« Nous protégeons la race en ne laissant pas les chiens enregistrés quitter l’île et en n’autorisant pas la venue de ceux qui n’ont pas de permis du gouvernement », explique Cha Jae-Nam, qui dirige le Centre de recherche et de test sur le Jindo.

Ce centre étatique dépense deux milliards de wons (1,75 million de dollars) par an pour ce qu’il appelle la préservation « systématique et scientifique » de la race Jindo.

« Pour les humains, il n’est pas courant d’effectuer un test de paternité sur les nouveau-nés. Mais nous, nous le faisons pour tous les chiots à la naissance », explique M. Cha à l’AFP. « Ils reçoivent un certificat de naissance s’ils correspondent à l’ADN de leurs parents. Et s’ils ne le font pas, ils doivent quitter l’île. »

– Pureté raciale –

L’éleveur Lim Tae-Young avec des chiots Jindo, le 20 mars 2017 sur l’île de Jindo, en Corée du Sud / AFP

Cette politique canine sans concessions fait écho à une notion de pureté raciale typique de la Corée du Sud, une société exceptionnellement homogène où la population est à environ 96% d’origine ethnique coréenne et où les métissages peuvent être très mal vus.

En ce qui concerne les Jindos, même une filiation incontestable n’assure pas leur survie.

A l’âge de six mois, le chiot fait l’objet d’une évaluation rigoureuse (forme des oreilles, des pattes, de la queue, de la tête…). S’il franchit avec succès cet examen, il est alors officiellement enregistré comme Trésor National, un statut dont bénéficient les quelque 6.000 Jindos de l’île.

Ces contrôles rigoureux permettent à M. Cha de déclarer que « tous les chiens Jindos dans le comté de Jindo sont de race pure ».

Mais si le chiot échoue, il est exilé.

L’obsession d’une lignée « pure » de Jindos signifie que certains éleveurs abandonnent les chiots ne répondant pas aux critères, déplore Chae Il-Taek, directeur de l’Association coréenne pour le bien-être animal. Une « discrimination qui porte atteinte à la dignité des animaux », dénonce-t-il.

Bien souvent, les Jindos déchus finissent dans les assiettes, relève M. Chae. « Un grand nombre de chiens expulsés de l’île de Jindo sont vendus à des producteurs de viande de chien. »

Les Sud-Coréens consommeraient entre 1,5 et 2,5 millions de chiens chaque année, selon les groupes de défense des droits des animaux, bien que cette pratique culinaire décline chez les jeunes générations.

– Chouchou des dirigeants –

Les dirigeants sud-coréens adorent les Jindos. L’ex-président Kim Dae-Jung avait même offert un couple de chiens Jindos à la Corée du Nord au début des années 2000, dans le cadre de sa « politique du rayon de soleil ». Park Geun-Hye, la présidente destituée récemment à la suite d’une retentissante affaire de corruption, en avait neuf… qu’elle a toutefois laissés derrière elle en quittant son poste.

Dans un laboratoire du centre de test, sous des lumières fluorescentes, le chercheur Kim Jong-Seok ouvre fièrement un réfrigérateur à double porte contenant des rangées de flacons de sang. Des échantillons d’ADN de tous les Jindos nés sur l’île sont conservés là, assurent les responsables des lieux.

Pour M. Kim, qui étudie cette race canine depuis deux décennies, les contrôles méticuleux sont nécessaires si l’on veut garder les Jindos en bonne santé. « La consanguinité des familles royales a entraîné de nombreuses déformations chez les humains », dit-il. « Nous empêchons (ici) diverses maladies et déformations ».

De leur côté, les éleveurs de Jindos s’accommodent très bien de cette politique raciale radicale, qui leur permet de vendre un chiot « pur » au prix d’un millier de dollars.

« Ce n’est pas que les chiens expulsés de l’île soient mauvais… », concède Lim Tae-Young, qui dirige une association de 70 éleveurs de Jindos sur l’île.

« Mais nous ne nous plaignons pas » parce que même si « les procédures comme le dépistage sont gênantes et fastidieuses », « cela génère des revenus », dit-il, alors qu’une poignée de chiots joueurs chahute à ses pieds.

No, that’s not a Shiba Inu. The curled tail, pointed ears and thick coat might lead the average American to believe so, but ask any Korean, and they’ll set you straight. That’s the Korean Jindo Dog. Not only are they adorable, but they’re also kind of a big deal in Korea.

A fawn-colored Jindo.

No, that’s not a Shiba Inu!

To give you some perspective, the Jindo dog is considered a national treasure of Korea. The breed was dubbed National Monument No. 53 by the Korean Government in 1962. You may be asking yourself, but how can a dog be a national monument? It’s because Korea has a special designation for animals, plants, and geological features that carry artistic, cultural, and historical value for the country.

Jindo personality and appearance

It cannot be denied that Jindo dogs are adorable. They belong to the Spitz family, which is also host to two of the cutest dogs on the planet: the corgi and Siberian husky. Spitz dogs are known for their pointed ears and thick coats, along with their signature curled tails.

Jindo dogs come in a variety of colors, from auburn to gray, and even brindle-patterned. But Jindos are most often associated with pure white coats. Probably because Baekgu, the most popular Jindo in the world, bore a white coat. White Jindo puppies kind of look like a baby polar bear met a baby fox. In other words: irresistible.

flickr/Hannah Suh

But they’re more than just a pretty face! Jindo dogs are known for high levels of intelligence and energy. They are loyal to a tee and usually form a hardcore bond with their owner, while acting wary towards strangers. This can make a Jindo a great watchdog. In fact, they were used for this very purpose by the Korean military. As a natural predator, Jindo dogs are also good hunting dogs. There is an old Korean folktale that claims that three Jindo dogs once took down a Siberian tiger.

Strange fact: although Jindos are athletic, they share an aversion to water, so don’t try to make them swim. Most Jindos don’t even like to go outside when it’s raining.

The legend of the Jindo

The breed received its namesake from an island at the southernmost tip of South Korea. As the national breed, the Jindo was always popular, but the Jindo skyrocketed to fame in 1993 when the story of a 7-year-old Jindo dog named Baekgu made headlines.

Baekgu lived on Jindo Island with his owner, an 83-year-old woman named Park Bak-don, before being sold to a new owner in a city about 180 miles away. Bak-don was heartbroken to have to say good-bye to her best friend, and evidently, so was Baekgu. The dog escaped from his new home and traveled alone for seven months before appearing in Bak-don’s yard and running straight into her arms. They remained together for the rest of Baekgu’s life.

After this heartwarming story broke, Koreans went wild for the Jindo dog, creating cartoon reenactments, documentaries, and children’s stories about Baekgu’s voyage. There’s even a South Korean musical called ‘White Heart Baekgu.’ In 2004, a bronze statue depicting Baekgu was erected in the Jindo province’s Donji Village.

Where’s the Jindo now?

Although exporting Jindos out of Korea is prohibited to this day, the breed began to show its fluffy face in western France, then found its way to Los Angeles in the 90s. Korean-American families were the first to own Jindo dogs in the United States. Nowadays, Jindos can be found in shelters primarily in California, and occasionally in other states.

An important note: the dog’s temperament can be difficult for inexperienced dog owners. Jindos are fiercely independent and require a lot of patience to train. Jindos are also often given as gifts in Korean culture, which can pose a big problem when people aren’t ready to take on the responsibility.

Overhill Kennels

Not quite K9 cop material

In 2009, the Los Angeles police department decided to adopt and train a pair Jindo puppies as K9 cops, but they didn’t make the cut. The reasons were because their loyalty to their trainers made them too easily distracted, and their hunting instincts made them forget their missions. One trainer, Sgt. Doug Roller said,

“They pretty much mastered the task, but once they got out of the training environment, they got distracted in the real world…. A leaf would blow, and they’d go chase it.”

After a year of intense training, the police department gave up and the dogs were eventually adopted by families in Los Angeles.

flickr/michelle143ny

A beautiful dog

The bottom line? The Korean Jindo is a beautiful, intelligent dog with a fascinating background. If you’re considering adding a Jindo or a Jindo mix to your family, just be sure that you understand this breed’s particular traits. With the proper training and socialization, Jindos make wonderful companions.

Meet the Jindo: The Great Korean Hunting Dog

Updated May 14, 2019 Reading Time: 4 minutes

A medium-sized dog primarily bred for hunting and guarding, the Jindo is easily considered one of the most popular Korean dog breeds today. Similar in appearance to the Shiba Inu and the Akita, the Jindo is a fascinating dog breed but is one that requires plenty of research for those considering owning one.

Table of Contents

Meet the Korean King: The Korean Jindo Dog

Known for their loyalty, intelligence, and agility, the Korean Jindo dog is a great breed to consider if you are looking for a faithful companion.

Although this breed originated in South Korea, these dogs were brought over to the United States by South Korean immigrants and were recognized as an official breed by the United Kennel Club in 1998.

History of the Korean Jindo

The breed got its name from Korea’s Jindo island, which is where the breed originated from. Although the exact origin of the breed is unknown, it is believed that this dog breed has been around for centuries.

In 1962, the breed was classed as a Natural Treasure by the South Korean government, and are now protected by the Cultural Properties Protection Act.

Since the breed now has such a high status in South Korea, exporting purebred Jindo dogs out of the country has become quite difficult. This makes it extremely important to know as much about the breed as possible when it comes to picking a Jindo dog for yourself.

Appearance and Personality of the Loyal Jindo Dogs

Medium in size and well-proportioned, these dogs officially come in six different colors.

They have a double coat, which means that you need to be prepared for plenty of shedding, but they also naturally keep themselves extremely clean.

For those who do not like bathing dogs, this is definitely a plus, especially since Jindo dogs tend to be low-maintenance all around when it comes to grooming.

Smart, Sassy, and Sweet: Here’s What You Need to Know About this Korean Dogs Temperament

These Korean dogs are exceptionally smart, and this means that they require near-constant stimulation. While their high intelligence means that they are easy to train and pick up new commands quickly, it does also give them a bit of a stubborn streak.

Their loyalty also helps when it comes to training, and Jindo dogs are known for having the utmost respect for their owners.

While the breed may have an extremely strong hunting instinct, they are also wonderfully affectionate and sweet-natured and love to spend as much time with their owner as possible.

Jindo vs the Pungsan Dog: The Difference between these two Korean Dog Breeds

The Pungsan is another popular Korean breed, with these dogs looking quite similar to the Jindo.

However, there are a couple of main differences between the two…

While the Jindo comes from South Korea, the Pungsan is believed to have originated in North Korea. The Pungsan is quite a rare breed and isn’t recognized by any major kennel clubs, although it is also a protected breed in Korea.

When it comes to their appearances, Pungsan dogs tend to be slightly larger and taller. They are also known for being extremely hardy and would be more than happy to spend all day hunting and guarding in freezing temperatures.

5 Fun Facts You Need to Know About the Jindo Dog Breed!

Many people are not familiar with this dog breed, so here are five fun facts to help you to get to know the breed a little better:

1. Good watchdogs – Jindo dogs are fantastic watchdogs and are often used by the Korean military for this purpose
2. Not a water dog – Jindo dogs tend to have an aversion to water. Not only do they dislike swimming, but they also prefer to stay indoors if it is raining outside
3. Easy to clean – These dogs have self-cleaning coats, making it easy to keep them clean
4. Police work – the Los Angeles police force tried to train a pair of Jindo dogs to work with them. However, due to the dogs’ intense loyalty to their trainers, as well as their strong hunting instinct, they were not able to properly focus on their jobs and were eventually adopted out
5. Good apartment dogs – They actually make good apartment dogs! Although they have high energy levels, they are naturally quite neat and love to be close to their owners

So, does this Korean Dog have a Clean Bill of Health?

While some breeds are known for having genetic predispositions to certain health conditions, the Jindo dog is a relatively healthy breed.

However, there is one health issue that you need to be aware of…

Hypothyroidism is quite a common disease, not only in this dog breed but many other breeds too.

It causes issues with the dog’s coat, to begin with, while also leading to flaky skin. Over time, hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain and a lack of energy.

However, this condition is actually quite easy to treat with daily medication.

8,9, 10 year? How Long do these Puppers Live for?

When looking into a new breed of dog, it is always wise to do some research into their lifespan.

Since these dogs are quite a healthy breed overall, most live for around 12 to 15 years.

Of course, if hypothyroidism takes its toll, this can be less.

Ready to Get a Jindo Puppy?

Convinced that you need a puppy in your life?

There are a few things you need to be aware of before going out and buying your pup…

The Puppy Price Tag!

As mentioned earlier, the Jindo breed is not a common one.

Plus, with the restrictions in place when it comes to exporting the dogs from South Korea, top lines are quite limited around the world.

Nevertheless, you will likely still be able to find Jindo puppies for sale wherever you live, but keep in mind that you will likely need to spend quite a bit of money in order to purchase a healthy pedigree pup. Prices usually begin at around $1300 but can go up to more than $2500 depending on the pedigree and breed lines.

How to Look for a Reputable Breeder?

There are so many backyard breeders out there that breed for profit rather than for improving the overall breed. These are breeders that you should definitely stay away from.

So, how do you find a reputable breeder?

Well, since the Jindo dog is a recognized Kennel Club breed, the Kennel Club will be able to put you in contact with good breeders. You can sometimes find this information on the Kennel Club website, or give them a phone if you would like to discuss your options further.

Save a Life and Adopt a Pup!

For many people, the initial cost of a Jindo pup can be off-putting, but there are actually several Jindo dogs available at shelters all over the country.

Rather than spending a couple of thousand on a pup, you will likely be able to rescue a Jindo dog for just a few hundred dollars.

Plus, in addition to the money you will be saving, you will also be saving a life, and your new dog will definitely be so grateful for this!

5 Tips for Dog Lovers Own a Precious Jindo Puppies!

Considering getting a Jindo puppy?

Here are five tips to help make your journey a bit easier:

1. Socializing – Jindo dogs are naturally quite suspicious and protective, meaning that they need to be socialized from an early age. This applies to being socialized around humans as well as other animals
2. Training – although they learn quickly, Jindo dogs are quite sensitive and do not respond well to violence or aggressive forms of training. For a Jindo pup to thrive, make sure that you keep training sessions as positive as possible
3. Destruction – due to their high intelligence, Jindo dogs can become quite destructive when left on their own, especially when they are still a puppy. You will need plenty of patience, as well as ideas on how to keep your pup mentally stimulated when you are not around
4. Off-Lead – due to their strong hunting instincts, many owners have problems letting their Jindo dog run off the lead. They can quickly end up taking off after the scent of another animal, leaving you to chase after them. Make sure that you are 100% confident in your dog’s ability to stay by your side before letting a Jindo dog off the lead
5. Energy Levels – although this dog is classed as a Non-Sporting Breed, these dogs still have extremely high energy levels. Multiple walks are usually needed in a day in order to give a Jindo the amount of exercise required

A Loyal and Courageous Friend, these Doggos remain by your side through thick and thin!

While most dog breeds tend to be quite loyal, Jindo dogs take this above and beyond.

Their loyalty to their owner is extremely fierce, with this being a breed that will always remain by your side.

While Jindo dogs may not be as common as some of the other breeds out there, this is still a breed well worth considering if you are looking for an intelligent and loyal companion. A certain amount of experience is needed in order to raise a happy and well-balanced Jindo, but there is plenty of professional help out there if you find yourself struggling.

Common Questions

Does the Jindo dog breed have any serious health issues?

What sort of energy levels does this dog have?

All product and Company names are Trademarks™ or Registered® trademarks of their respective holders.

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase CertaPet.com may earn a commission. Keep in mind that we link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission we receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

About Post Author

Kathryn Anderson

Senior Marketing Associate and pet care advocate who loves to develop new content across all platforms for pet owners everywhere.