The Korean Jindo Dog, named for the coastal island to which it is native, was designated by the Government of South Korea in 1962 as the 53rd ‘Natural Treasure’ and was  further safeguarded under the Cultural Properties Protection Act.Jindos are beloved and renowned for their unwavering loyalty and devotion to their masters, something that was borne out by “Baekgu, a Jindo who, after being sold to a new owner 160 miles away from his original home, returned 7 months later, exhausted but ecstatic to be once again with his original owner. He remained at his owner’s side until he passed away, and was later memorialized in the village with a tombstone, a bronze statue and a stone monument inscribed with “Growing children should learn from the loyal white dog.” In Korea, these dogs are called Jindo-kae or Jindo-kyon (Kae or Kyon are Korean words for dog).

Image: Photo of SunMi shared with consent by the owner and photographer, Natasha Brown