Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Summary
The Jindo is one of the oldest indigenous breeds of the Korean Peninsula, naturally formed on Jindo Island. The region’s isolation helped preserve the purity of bloodlines, stable temperament, and functional working type. For centuries, these dogs were used to guard homes, protect property, and accompany people, which shaped their exceptional alertness, loyalty, and independence. The Jindo was valued for endurance, strong orientation skills, and the ability to work without constant human supervision. In the 20th century, the breed received the status of a national treasure of Korea and began to spread beyond the country while remaining rare and highly esteemed.
General Appearance
The Jindo is a medium-sized dog of well-balanced, dry yet muscular build, with a clean outline and clear sexual dimorphism. The format approaches square, with straight, harmonious body lines, a strong back, and stable limbs. The head is wedge-shaped, the ears small, erect, and wide-set. The tail is curved or ring-shaped, set high. Movement is free, energetic, with good drive and proper coordination. The overall type combines natural expressiveness, confidence, and working qualities, reflecting the breed’s indigenous origin.
Important Proportions
The Jindo belongs to breeds with proportions approaching a square format: height at the withers is nearly equal to body length, providing stability and agility. Muzzle length is about half the length of the head, forming a harmonious wedge-shaped profile. Chest depth reaches about half the height at the withers, giving good capacity and endurance. Neck length corresponds to head length, ensuring proper carriage and a balanced silhouette. The tail is set high, visually balancing the body. Limb proportions support a stable stance and free movement, highlighting the natural working type of the breed.
Behavior and Temperament
The Jindo is known for exceptional loyalty to a single owner, pronounced guarding instinct, and independent decision-making. The dog is attentive, balanced, and quick to respond to changes in its surroundings but not prone to unjustified aggression. In everyday life, it shows neatness, cleanliness, and high intelligence, which facilitates training when approached correctly. It is cautious with strangers, maintaining distance, yet demonstrates stable behavior when properly socialized. The Jindo has strong territorial and family-guarding instincts, high endurance, and confidence, remaining a reliable companion with proper upbringing.
Head
The Jindo’s head is dry, wedge-shaped, harmonious with the body, emphasizing the breed’s natural type. The skull is of medium width, flat or slightly convex, gradually tapering toward the muzzle. The stop is moderate, without a sharp break. The muzzle is proportional, strong, slightly narrowing toward the nose, with a straight bridge. Lips are thin and tight. The nose is always dark, preferably black. Scissor bite, with large, strong teeth. Expression is attentive, calm but alert, reflecting the breed’s guarding nature.
Facial Region
The muzzle is even, dry, sufficiently full without excessive heaviness. Cheeks are moderately defined, not coarse. Lips are thin, dry, not pendulous and do not distort the head’s outline. Nose large, dark, well pigmented; nostrils open. Bite correct, teeth close-fitting. Chin strong but not protruding. Whiskers moderate, not creating excess volume. The facial region forms clear lines characteristic of indigenous Eastern breeds, preserving natural balance and expression.
Eyes
Eyes are relatively small, almond-shaped, set slightly obliquely, giving a typical Eastern expression. Color ranges from dark brown to almost black, deep and uniform. The gaze is attentive, thoughtful, often alert, reflecting the breed’s independent character. Eyelids are dry, tight, well pigmented, without sagging or irregular contours. Eyes must not be round or protruding. Correct shape and placement highlight focus and working purpose, maintaining head harmony.
Ears
Ears are erect, triangular, small to medium-sized, with pointed tips, set high and directed forward. The base is broad, ensuring stable, lively carriage. Cartilage is firm; ears must not be soft, dropped, or splayed outward. In motion, ears retain their position, reacting only slightly to sound. Their shape and orientation emphasize alertness and independence, making the head’s outline clear and expressive. Ears complement the Jindo’s overall type without heaviness or coarseness.
Neck
The Jindo’s neck is of medium length, strong, dry, and well muscled, blending smoothly into the withers. The topline of the neck is slightly arched, emphasizing natural composure. Carriage is moderately high, providing confident expression and improved visibility. The skin is tight, without dewlap or folds. The neck must be long enough for free head movement yet not excessively stretched, preserving balance. Proper neck structure contributes to a harmonious silhouette and reflects the breed’s working origin.
Body
The Jindo has a strong, compact, well-balanced body with a straight and stable topline. Withers moderately pronounced, transitioning smoothly into a short, firm back. Loin strong, slightly arched, without heaviness. Croup moderately sloped, well muscled. Chest deep, reaching about half the height at the withers; ribs moderately sprung, not barrel-shaped. Undercarriage slightly tucked up, emphasizing the dry, working type. The body must express strength, endurance, and confidence, maintaining proportions typical of an indigenous breed.
Tail
The Jindo’s tail is set high, medium in length, thick at the base and tapering toward the end. Naturally carried curled into a ring or semi-ring above the back but should not lie tightly against the body. Variations of tight curling are permissible, but the tail must not be straight or low carried. The base musculature is strong, ensuring stability in motion. The tail highlights confidence and expressiveness of the silhouette, forming the breed’s characteristic Eastern profile.
Description of Exterior
Forequarters
Forequarters are straight, dry, well-set, with strong bone and developed but not coarse musculature. Shoulder blades moderately long, well laid back, close-fitting, forming the correct angle for cushioning and free stride. Shoulders well articulated; the scapulohumeral angle pronounced, ensuring proper forward reach. Elbows directed straight back, tight to the body without turning in or out. Forearms straight, vertical, of sufficient length. Pasterns slightly sloping, resilient, not weak. The limbs give an impression of strength and stability while maintaining lightness and working balance.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are powerful, well muscled, with pronounced angulation providing strong drive and stability. Thighs long, dry, with firm musculature. Stifles well defined, neither turned nor straightened. Lower thighs moderate in length, directed backward, shaping a harmonious rear profile. Hocks short, vertical, stable, neither long nor soft. Limb placement parallel, neither close-set nor turned out. Hindquarters should convey power and controlled energy, preserving the breed’s working type and body balance.
Gait and Movement
Movement is free, energetic, even, with good coordination and natural agility. The walk is straight and confident, without excessive reach. The trot is light, springy, with pronounced drive from the rear and stable reach in the front. The topline remains firm and level, without sway or sagging. Movement must reflect endurance and the breed’s working nature—quick changes of pace, precise directional response, collected and controlled. Poor coordination, narrow gait, or cow-hocked movement is unacceptable. Correct movement highlights harmony of proportions and functionality.
Coat
The Jindo has a double coat, dense and protective against adverse weather. Guard hair is straight, harsh, of medium length, fitting closely to form clean body lines. Undercoat is thick, soft, short, varying in density seasonally for thermoregulation. Hair on neck, withers, and tail is slightly longer, emphasizing natural type. The coat must not be wavy, curly, overly soft, or excessively long—such traits contradict working style. Coat quality is a key breed feature and reflects indigenous origin.
Acceptable Colors
Traditional indigenous colors are recognized: white, fawn, red, brindle, grey, and black. All shades must be even and clean without non-typical markings. Slight variations in intensity are natural. Undercoat is generally lighter. Masks may occur in some colors but must not distort type. Piebald patterns, irregular markings, or strong contrasting patches are undesirable. Natural harmony of color highlights the ancient and functional character of the breed.
Size
The Jindo is a medium-sized dog with clear sexual dimorphism. Height at the withers for males is typically 48–55 cm; for females, 45–52 cm. The body is strong, compact, following a square format. Weight ranges from 15–25 kg depending on sex and build. The dog must appear dry, muscular, and balanced, without heaviness or leanness. Proportions of height and weight should emphasize working qualities, endurance, and natural harmony. Deviations affecting functionality are undesirable.
Faults
Faults include any deviation from breed type that does not critically impair function but disrupts harmony. Weak bone, insufficient musculature, elongated or shortened format, soft topline, or flat withers weaken overall appearance. Slight doming of skull, coarse cheeks, steep croup, insufficient chest depth, or weak ligaments are also undesirable. Loose eyelids, insufficient nose or lip pigmentation, uncertain movement, pigeon-toeing, narrow front or rear position are faults evaluated by degree.
Disqualifying Faults
Disqualifying features are those that fundamentally violate breed type or function. These include unwarranted aggression, panic, or extreme fearfulness. Undershot or overshot bite, missing multiple key teeth, severe jaw deformities are unacceptable. Light, round, or protruding eyes, strong depigmentation of eyelids or nose, non-erect or soft ears exclude a dog from breeding. Straight, low-set, or uncurled tail is a serious fault. Albinism, non-standard spotted colors, severe anatomical defects, or any signs of crossbreeding result in disqualification.
Important Notes
The Jindo is a national breed of South Korea under strict preservation programs. Evaluation must consider natural origin and working purpose. Seasonal coat changes due to shedding should not be penalized. Sexual dimorphism must be clearly expressed: males stronger, females lighter and more refined. Early socialization and proper training are essential for full development of temperament. Any artificial modification of appearance, pigment alteration, or tail correction is prohibited.
Conclusion
The Jindo is an ancient indigenous breed preserving natural purity, strong constitution, and outstanding working qualities. Balanced, composed, and independent, it combines loyalty, endurance, strong guarding instincts, and the ability to work without constant human supervision. The exterior forms a harmonious, compact silhouette with correct proportions and clear lines, emphasizing Eastern type. The breed requires responsible handling, socialization, and training, remaining a reliable partner and guardian. Preservation of breed type is vital to maintaining the historical heritage and functionality of the Jindo.
