New Delhi: With Russian and North Korean relations growing stronger, Russian President Vladimir Putin was recently seen with two Pungsan dogs that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gifted. Kim and Putin admired the dogs tied to a fence decorated with roses. Do you know the speciality of these dogs and the history behind them? Let us explore this in this article.
Pungsan Dog: Background
Pungsan are hunting dogs. They are a North Korean breed known for their ability to hunt down very large animals, including tigers, in the mountainous regions of Korea.
Pungsan dogs hold a significant place in history. They are one of the oldest dog breeds, and their history can be traced back to the Joseon Dynasty. This dynasty, which spanned from 1300 to the 1800s, was a pivotal period in Korean history, and the presence of Pungsan dogs during this time is a testament to their enduring legacy.
The name is derived from Pungsun, a mountainous region in North Korea.
Different spellings or names like Phungsan, Korean Phungsan or Poongsan dogs are also known to them.
Pungsan were bred in the Kaema highlands (now North Korea) and were traditionally used as hunting dogs. They are a rare dog breed and are sometimes smuggled over the North Korea-China border. In April 1956, the dog was made a national monument of North Korea, and in 2014, it was declared the national dog of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presents a pair of Pungsan dogs to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (Photo credit: PTI)
Pungsan Dog: Interesting facts to know about the North Korean breed
Appearance: Height, weight and look
The height of a male Pungsan is 60–65 cm (24–26 in), and for females, it is 50–60 cm (20–24 in). The weight is around 20–30 kg (44–66 lb). They are medium—to large-sized and have a thick, creamy white coat.
Pungsan in North America
Pungsuns can be found rarely outside North Korea. Few breeders exist in North America, and people must wait long to get a Pungsun puppy. However, if one gets these white, fox-like dogs, it is all worth the effort.
Affable and Affectionate
Pungsans are generous and affectionate dogs, at least to their family and master. They are initially wary of strangers from their days as working dogs and can ignore everyone else. Pungsans are different from other dog breeds; if an owner wants a dog to help them make friends at a dog park, these North Korean dogs are not the right breed. They do not care for anyone except their immediate family. They are not just loyal and loving to their master but also are good with children when socialised early enough.
Aggressive
Pungsans are not particularly good with other dogs. They are very territorial and can become aggressive if they perceive that their domain or family is compromised. Because of this aspect of their personality, they do best in a one-dog household.
Not well-suited to city or apartment
Pungsans are not well suited to living in any city or apartment as they hunt and work tirelessly in the frigid mountains of North Korea. They are happiest in a suburban or a rural home, where they can have plenty of space to run.
Avid Chewers
They are also avid chewers and must be provided with appropriate things to chew, or they will find something on their own.
Good Pets
Pungsans can make good pets for experienced dog owners and those looking for a protective and intelligent family dog.
Gifting Pungsan Dogs to other countries
This is not the first time North Korea has gifted these wolf-looking dogs to Russia; earlier, it had also gifted them twice to South Korea.
During the 2000 inter-Korean summit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il gave two Pungsan dogs to South Korean President Kim Dae-jung. In return, the South Korean President gave two Jindo dogs to Kim Jong-il.
In 2018, at the Pyongyang summit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un gave South Korean President Moon Jae-in two Pungsan dogs. The male was named Songkang, and the female was named Gomi.
Pungsan Dogs stand out with their medium to large size and distinctive creamy white coats. Their loyalty to their masters, friendly nature with children, and unique hunting abilities fascinate them. Let’s delve deeper into the world of this North Korean breed. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
