Pungsan Dog Names, Poongsan Dog Names

The Pungsan -- also spelled Poongsan -- is a striking white hunting dog from the mountains of Pungsan county in what is now Ryanggang Province, in the far north of the Korean peninsula. One of North Korea's national treasures, it was bred for generations to hunt large game across the cold northern highlands, and it is renowned for a fearlessness that has grown into legend -- stories tell of Pungsan dogs facing wild boar and even tigers.

The breed is also famous far beyond hunting, as a living symbol of peace between the two Koreas. In 2000, North Korea presented two Pungsan dogs to South Korean President Kim Dae-jung at the first inter-Korean summit, and in 2018 the North's leader Kim Jong-un gave a pair, named Gomi and Songgang, to President Moon Jae-in. The two dogs later had a litter of puppies, and the gift became one of the warmest images of a hopeful moment.

Physically the Pungsan is a medium-to-large spitz built for the cold: a thick, pure-white double coat, small pricked ears, a tail curled over the back, and a hardy, muscular frame, with males standing around fifty-five to sixty centimetres. Brave, tireless and fiercely loyal, it makes both a determined hunter and a devoted companion. Names can honour its snow-white coat, its bold hunting spirit, or its role as a gift of peace. The white coat suits Snow, Frost, Blizzard, Ivory, Polar, Cloud, Casper, Nanook, Winter, and Yuki; its hunting courage suits Hunter, Scout, Ranger, Hawk, Timber, Storm, and Bear; and its peace symbolism is honoured by Peace, Unity, Harmony, Hope, and Spirit.

Explore our full collection of Pungsan dog names below. Filter by gender, save your favourites, and find a name as white, brave, and storied as your Poongsan.