Korean Jindo Names, Jindo Dog Names

The Korean Jindo -- in its homeland the Jindo-gae -- is the national dog of Korea, native to Jindo Island off the country's southwest coast. Long isolated on the island, it bred true over centuries into one of the purest of all spitz-type dogs, and Korea treasures it accordingly: the Jindo has been protected as the nation's Natural Monument No. 53 since 1962. It was among the first Korean breeds to win international notice, recognised by the United Kennel Club in 1998 and granted full recognition by the FCI in 2005.

This is a medium-sized double-coated spitz, agile and squarely built, with small upright ears, almond eyes and a thick tail carried in a curl or sickle over the back. Most dogs stand around forty-five to fifty-three centimetres at the shoulder. The breed comes in six traditional colours, each with its own Korean name: white (baekgu), red-fawn (hwanggu, the colour most people picture first), black, black-and-tan, wolf-grey, and a brindle or tiger pattern (hogu). The weatherproof coat sheds heavily twice a year.

The Jindo is famous above all for its devotion. It bonds intensely with one family and is celebrated in Korea for an extraordinary homing instinct, the subject of well-loved stories of dogs finding their way back to their owners across great distances. Bred to hunt deer, boar, rabbit and badger, it is bold, independent and clever. Names can honour its red-fawn or white coat, its Korean roots, or its legendary loyalty. The hwanggu coat suits Ginger, Rusty, Copper, Honey, Goldie, Sandy, Foxy, and Cinnamon; a white Jindo wears Snow, Frost, Ivory, Pearl, Ghost, and Yuki; its faithful heart is well served by Buddy, Faith, Loyal, Lucky, and Echo; and an East-Asian-inspired pick such as Jin or Suki nods to its homeland.

Explore our full collection of Korean Jindo dog names below. Filter by gender, save your favourites, and find a name as loyal, clever, and unmistakably Korean as your Jindo-gae.