Korean Job Discussion Forums

[green769]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had any advice about moving my huksies to Korea or where to find a place to live . . . or if anyone knew anyone that was leaving this August who has a medium-size dog friendly place to live.

I know it is not common at all to have larger sized dogs inside but I just wanted to get your guys' perspective. I am not interested in giving up my dogs either . . .

I plan to make the move in August 2010 but am visiting this May/June.

[mmstyle]

Well, there are a few people that have large size dogs. They will cost a lot to get here. I am not sure about quarantine coming here (depending on where you are from, they may have to go through an intensive quarantine when you go home).

As for the practicalities. Many Koreans are very afraid of dogs. Something to be aware of. They are getting more and more accepted. You're not coming over as a teacher, right?

I recommend that you live outside of Seoul so that you can have many more opportunities to get your dogs good exercise. In Seoul it can be really tough. Others may have differing opinions. I am someone who would love to have a dog, but have never owned one in Korea. Those who have may be able to tell you that I am wrong. My husband and I would love to have one, but I refuse to do it here because I don't think it would be a good life for a dog. Please take this as my two cents, not a judgment. Good luck.

[RufusW]

How would huskies deal with 30 degree weather?

[Zulethe]

^um, you mean 30 below? They'll do fine.

As one from Alaska and very fond of the breed, I'm sure you already know the answer to the question but you love your dogs so much that you want to hear a different answer.

Preaching to the choir but huskies need a lot of room. Being stuck in a small apartment all day is going to drive them nuts. Along with the fact that if you are in a big city, it will be difficult to find the open space they need to stretch their paws.

Now if you're willing to live in a rural area, that's different. Then you could get a house with a yard, etc...

Depends on what you put first: your well being or that of your dogs.

By the way, if you do bring them you could probably breed them and make a fortune. I've never seen a husky in Korea.

[Morgen]

If you do a quick search (try using Google and add site:eslcafe.com/korea after your query, instead of this site's crap search function) you'll find a few threads on why Korea is a very difficult life for large dogs. I don't recommend it. There's also a helpful forum at animalrescuekorea.org.

[crisdean]

[hapigokelli]

I think he meant 30 degree weather celsius. Hot as hell.

In any case, same answer. It's just not fair to the dogs.

[oskinny1]

[aaron.southkorea]

Bringing them here from the States wasn't at all difficult (no quarantine if you do everything correctly). I can provide you with some pet immigration advice/info if you want. Otherwise, I can't imagine having a big dog in any large city in Korea.

[warmachinenkorea]

Quarantine is simple here. Make sure their rabies shot is 30 days old and they have an international health certificate. Then there should be no quarantine.

How will you travel to and from the airport? I've had bus drivers and taxi drivers ask me to put my 3 kg dog in the trunk or under the bus for a 3-4 hour ride. Some people are really ignorant about animals. Anyway there is a girl in my town who is renting a house with a pretty large fenced area. She is gonna try to bring her large dogs soon. Unless you have alot of time and space your dogs will suffer.

There are many large dogs here in Korea that live there life in a 4x4 pen or on a 3 ft chain.

[cdninkorea]

I've met people with big dogs in Seoul, and they say the dogs can have a good life if you make it priority to exercise them very regularly. One girl I spoke to with a husky-sized dog said the dog gets three walks a day, alternated by her and her live-in boyfriend. Another guy with a Golden Retriever said he takes the dog to an isolated part of Namsan park everyday so he can run around a lot.

But be warned OP: unless you move to the country and have a yard, having big dogs here will be a major time committment.

[Aelric]

The crowd will run in abject fear of dogs like that. My co-teacher screamed mercilessly for her life when she saw a beagle puppy across the street from us. The younger generation can deal with toy breeds, but nothing bigger than a poodle. Those huskies will get no love.

[mmstyle]

I have actually seen some Huskies and a golden retriever being walked in my part of Seoul. I just can't imagine how much people must pay for a dog appropriate (large) apartment..or alternately (and sadly) how cramped their living space must be.

I asked where he is coming from because countries like Aus are really paranoid about animals coming back (no rabies), so the quarantine is TOUGH.

[green769]

I am not worried about how big the apartment is. Right now we live in an apartment a little bigger than a studio - with a kitchen and bathroom. As someone mentioned earlier, the key is exercising them enough to drain their energy. Dogs naturally live in small dens, our husky crawls under the futon and that is a really tight space! I am mainly concerned of finding a place where they would be welcome . . . but I know a lot of Koreans are afraid.

Today there was a picture in the Korean Herald of 3 medium size dogs walking Mount Nam in Seoul . . . http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2010/03/18/201003180085.asp

Thanks for your input, though. Much appreciated. I think I will have to explore when I visit in May.

[ChilgokBlackHole]