Pungsan breed: North Korea’s Little-Known National Treasure

One of the world's rarest breeds is highly esteemed in its homeland, but outside of its native land, little is known about it.

The Pungsan is a larger-sized, muscular, and athletic breed, easily recognizable by its distinctive white coat. It bears resemblance to its southern relative, the Korean Jindo, but is larger and more robust. Originally utilized as a hunting dog in the mountainous regions of North Korea, its appearance is adapted to harsh weather conditions.

History

The Pungsan, or Poongsan, is one of the three ancient Korean dog breeds, alongside the Sapsali and the Jindo. Among the trio, it is the rarest, scarcely known outside of its native region. Despite its centuries-old heritage, no international kennel club has yet recognized it.

The Pungsan was developed around the 16th century in the mountainous regions of North Korea. Due to very limited historical records, its origins are largely speculative. Some experts suggest that its ancestors were Siberian Laika dogs, while others believe they were bred from a mix of mastiffs and herding dogs. Some even speculate that wolf lineage might be present in the breed, although this is not genetically proven. What is certain is that this brave dog was primarily used for hunting – aiding in the pursuit of wild boars and even tigers.

Today, the breed is considered a national treasure of North Korea, and to preserve its purity, the country has banned the export of these animals abroad. An exception was made when the leader of North Korea presented a pair of Pungsan dogs as a peace gift to the President of South Korea, who reciprocated the gesture with two Jindo puppies.

11월 9일에 태어난 ‘곰이’의 새끼들입니다. 엄마개와 여섯 새끼들 모두 아주 건강합니다. 사진은 오늘 오후에 문재인 대통령과 김정숙 여사가 관저 앞마당에서 곰이와 새끼들을 살피는 모습입니다. pic.twitter.com/pkP6KpgRZJ

– 문재인정부 청와대 (@TheBlueHouseKR) November 25, 2018

Breed standard

The Pungsan possesses all the characteristic features typical of spitz-type breeds: dense fur, wedge-shaped face, erect ears, and a tail curled over its back. Eyes are dark and almond-shaped. Its robust and well-balanced body is strong and muscular, enabling agile movement and excellent endurance.

The breed’s double-layered coat is pure white and so thick that a Pungsan can comfortably sleep in the snow without catching a cold. Depending on gender, the breed typically stands 55-60 centimeters tall and weighs between 20-30 kilograms.

Character

The Pungsan is primarily known for its loyalty and courage. It remains devoted to its owner throughout its life and doesn’t shy away from challenges when it comes to protecting its territory and family. Despite its independent nature, it enjoys human company and craves companionship. It’s genuinely affectionate towards those it knows and accepts, but can be reserved around strangers.

When it comes to protection, the Pungsan will do everything to keep intruders at bay. Initially, it will alert with loud barking to indicate the presence of unwanted individuals, but if this doesn’t deter them, it may potentially become aggressive under pressure.

Early socialization and proper training are particularly important for this breed. Without them, the Pungsan can become unpredictable and hostile. During training, a firm-handed owner is needed as the breed tends towards dominance. It will push boundaries until it’s stopped, and it’s not uncommon for it to be stubborn. However, it’s a very intelligent dog that can be a great companion when raised in the right hands.

Ideal environment

Due to its strongly developed hunting instinct, the Pungsan is not ideal for households with other smaller animals. With proper socialization, it can get along well with dogs of similar size, but it generally prefers to be the sole pet.

The breed requires a lot of exercise to stay in good shape. It can easily get bored, so it’s important to provide the necessary amount of physical and mental stimulation. Without these, behavioral problems such as chewing or digging may arise.

Although its thick coat allows it to adapt well to outdoor environments, it shouldn’t be kept outside all the time; it highly values time spent with the family. Because of its thick fur, it’s prone to overheating, so it shouldn’t be overexerted during the warmer months.

Care

The Pungsan sheds twice a year, and it sheds a considerable amount of fur. During these times, daily brushing is particularly important, but regular grooming is essential regardless. Bathing is only necessary if it gets exceptionally dirty; fundamentally, it’s a notably clean dog, reputedly never having a doggy odor.

Health

The expected lifespan of the breed is 13-14 years, and health problems are generally rare. However, like any breed, some individuals may experience minor or major health issues. Due to its larger size, it’s essential to be vigilant for symptoms of hip dysplasia, bloat, and gastric torsion.