Last January, South Korea’s parliament passed a bill banning the breeding and slaughter of dogs for consumption, ending the controversial practice of eating dog meat. It’s a fitting bill considering that the number of Koreans raising pets is about 15 million, nearly a quarter of the population. South Korea is indeed becoming a more dog-friendly nation, although this primarily applies to small dogs. Life for large dogs in Korea has not changed so much.
Only three out of every 100 adopted dogs are large breeds, according to Adoption Manager Cho Sung-jin from Korean Animal Welfare Association (KAWA) in an interview with ChosunBiz on Mar. 29. KAWA, the largest nonprofit organization for animals in Korea, is dedicated to caring for dogs rescued from breeding centers, puppy mills, and other cruel conditions.
Among these minimal number of adopted large dogs, the majority belong to specific dog breeds. It is considered a miracle when the most prevalent Korean Jindos, large dogs native to the island of Jindo in South Korea, find loving homes.
Cho attributes the lack of interest in large dogs to prevailing preconceptions in Korea. “There still exists a belief that large dogs are best kept outside,” Cho remarked. Historically, dogs in Korea stayed outside, guarding rice paddies, yards, and homes. This old notion persists, particularly concerning large dogs, further hindering their adoption into warm households.
KAWA adoption manager cited the housing conditions in Korea as another significant factor contributing to the low adoption rates of large dogs. “In Korea, most people reside in apartments. If you have a large dog in an apartment, many people judge and point fingers at you,” the manager explained. The perception that large dogs pose a danger persists among people.
The disinterest towards big dogs is also evident in everyday life. There is a growing trend of restaurants, cafes, and even swimming pools allowing pets, but unfortunately, this often excludes large dogs. Recently, Starbucks gained attention by opening pet-friendly branches in Korea. Yet, only dogs under 50 centimeters and 25 kg are allowed inside the cafe. “Many dog-friendly stores do not offer services for large dogs simply because of their size,” Cho remarked. Such prevailing discriminatory practices, starting from major franchise establishments and extending to private stores, often prevent even those who desire to raise large dogs from doing so.
One may wonder about the fate of large dogs left unadopted in shelter. Unfortunately, many of them spend their entire lives in shelters. “Even if large dogs are adopted by families residing in single-family houses, dogs are often raised outdoors,” Cho remarked. Expensive breeds like retrievers are exceptions. The most “unwanted dogs” Korean Jindos are typically adopted by families abroad through international adoption.
International adoptions may be the best option for unwanted large dogs in Korea, but the numbers are limited to 30-60 dogs a year, which is only about three to four dogs per month. The process of adoption is no walk in the park. First, dogs must undergo several months of training, learning to remain calm in a kennel during flights and to socialize with other dogs, babies, and cats. Only after completing this extensive training can they qualify for evaluation and potential adoption abroad. However, sometimes, an extended period of training and rehabilitation is required, especially for many large breeds originating from slaughterhouses, as they often carry trauma and wariness from people.
The difficulty in monitoring their conditions further complicates overseas adoption. Many overseas dog owners prioritize privacy, making it challenging to track the well-being of adopted dogs. “If we cannot adequately monitor the adopted dogs, We cannot send them for adoption,” Cho said.
To improve the adoption rate of large dogs in Korea, KAWA manager stressed the importance of fostering greater acceptance of big dogs, saying, “We need to create better living conditions for large dogs.”
However, Cho emphasized that dispelling biased ideas about large dogs is the most crucial step toward transitioning into a large dog-friendly nation.
“I hope people do not determine where dogs can live based on their size. After all, they are all our beloved companions.”
☛ The Korean Animal Welfare Association (KAWA) is the largest nonprofit organization for animals in Korea. The group advocates the renovation of animal protection laws, encourages the rescue and adoption of abused animals, and conducts research and investigation of animal welfare. To learn more about international adoption at KAWA, visit https://www.animals.or.kr/
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