Korean Job Discussion Forums

[DomAndJenny]

Hello,

I made a post similar to this in the Job Discussion forum but I figured that I should move it over here to ask more dog related questions.

I am moving to Korea in February with my fiancee and we are bringing our 50lb staffordshire bull terrier mix. We have a job and apartment lined up that is pet-friendly (tolerant?). We are also aware of the new regulations to get her in to the country that start December, 2011 and she is all squared away with tests, micro-chipping, etc.

What I am wondering about is what is dog ownership like once we arrive in Korea. We are going to be living in or around Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. I have a few questions:

Is it possible to travel with a dog? Like on a train or subway or taxi? She is crate trained so I have no problems taking her anywhere in her crate when she is traveling, which is pretty standard here. I know that straight up walking a dog on a leash onto the subway would be a little much to ask for, but can anyone share any experiences travelling with a pet (possibly a larger pet, I know it is a little easier to get away with a little dog)?

Are there any boarding kennels or veterinarians that one would recommend?

Any general comments about living with a dog? Like, is it much harder than living with a dog in Canada or respective countries? Keeping in mind that we do not have a fenced in yard for her here, we take her out on a leash to do her business whenever necessary and have to travel to open fields or walk her on streets in Canada for exercise, so I am accustomed to that.

Anyway, any input at all is greatly appreciated!

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

Here is a link to the pet sitting network on facebook. It's much better than using a kennel.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/petsittingnetwork/

[warmachinenkorea]

You're not gonna get on the subway with a dog this size, some taxi's might pick you up but don't count on it. I wouldn't count on the train. The best thing to do is buy a car.

When you find a good vet stay with them. Quality food will be a little expensive but it's worth it. Most vets will board dogs for a small fee. The bigger the dog the bigger the fee. However many vets here are not accustomed to large dogs and they don't do well handling them.

Koreans will be aprehensive about a big dog and probably avoid you. Get ready to have your neighbors complain even though your apartment says it allows pets. My wife and I volunteer at the shelter in Daegu and have had many people that adopted have their landlord back off of their "dogs are ok" agreement a month after they move in.

Good for not leaving the dog behind.

[DomAndJenny]

Thanks guys! That pet sitting group is such a great idea!

Also, thank you for the advice warmachine, that is very helpful. We probably won't be getting a car, but there is a vet within walking distance of our apartment so hopefully they will be good.

Has anyone flown with their dogs checked in cargo before? Any advice for this? We have traveled with her before, but she was in a crate on a ferry as opposed to a plane. It was 36 hours due to high winds and she came out unscathed, but she had a couple of pee breaks (like 4). But we have not done the plane business before.

[trying2getthere]

Yes, good for you for not leaving her at home. But you should know that what warmachine said is true. Most Korean are going to practically run in the opposite direction of your "BIG" dog. Don't expect to get a cab, or make friends in your building. I have two 6lb yorkies, which everyone I know comments on how big they are. They are terrified of them.

I wish you all the best, and certainly don't want to discourage you, but it is a different world here when it comes to dogs, especially large dogs.

[fermentation]

[NYC_Gal 2.0]

I know it's twisted, but I absolutely LOVE when grown people run away from my 5 kg dog in his Mickey Mouse coat. Seriously?

[northway]

[cazzy3]

i brought my 60lb Belgian Malinois from the states via cargo and here are some things to remember:
*it's going to cost close to $1000 and it must be a direct flight. I'm pretty sure no carriers allow for transfers.
*the guy that was in charge at the customs office at Incheon was AWESOME!! He helped me with all the forms and minimize costs/taxes (pure breeds can have a luxury tax assessed).
*it may be difficult to get your dog from the airport cargo area to your apartment. thankfully, i had a friend with a big enough car to put the dog and the crate.

As for living: I've lived on the east coast where my dog could run free on the beach, but now live in an urban area. Obviously, my dog and I miss the former, but there are plenty of parks to walk your dog. Off the leash exercise will be harder to find.

A lot of people don't like having dogs inside an apartment and thinks it's really dirty. Therefore, it's likely some neighbors will complain and even lie about things. I lived in one apartment where the neighbors called my landlord saying my dog was barking while I was at work and his hair was getting into their place, etc. Be prepared for some unreasonable people regarding dogs. In fact, I had one woman tell me I couldn't bring my dog to the park because it was scary!

Anyway, good luck. Cheers.

[Skippy]

Any time you come to Korea - any kind of baggage is going to effect you. The bigger the baggage the more hassles. From girlfriends to pets to kids. General advice is if you are going to come to Korea- leave it behind. I am not saying you can not have pets or bring/raise a kid here. Just being a newbie it will be very very difficult. Sometimes you need to be here a year and a lot more settled before those are doable.

You need to really understand some things. ONE Korean apartments are small. Maybe you will be lucky and your school will give you a bigger place but even then it is going to be small. Do you understand when I say small. Many bathrooms come with no bathtub. You shower in the middle of the bathroom. Your room is going to be living room, kitchen, bedroom together. shrunk to the size of a large bedroom.

Second apartment neigbours can be angels or demons. More likely the latter. People can find themselves being trying to defend themselves against someones complaint of you playing guitar at 6pm. (Never mind their kids running back and forth screaming at 1:00am is fine.) Throw in the general some Korean attitude and dislike of big dogs, you are going to draw complaints, even if they are completely unfounded.

I am a little skeptical of the pet friendly apartment. I think the apartment owner might be thinking or saying small or medium sized dogs are ok! When they see your big dog, I can see a flip right then a there. Be prepared for last minute hassles. Landlord says dogs are fine and then sees your dog - bang - no apartment. Sorry your employer is not going to find you another place. he would rather you give away your dog. Or even just fire you.

Do your benefits out ways the negatives. If you have a good qualifications like a teaching cert, then a school might put up the problems the dog will be. Can they pay you less. Are they getting a nice package deal with you and fiancee? Still if you cost them more money and hassles, the more likely your will be left on the street with no apartment and flight ticket home. Or god forbid left at the airport as the boss will be back in five minutes.

Which will be easier to deal with, hire some one who is already in Korea, who is young and single. Who can live in one room studio apartment.

Or does we want to hire a couple. Fly them over. Who are going to to complain when they find out we stuffed them in the above one room. Lets throw in a big dog!

Get all your ducks in a row. Which looks like you are doing. Still have some savings ready if things go haywire. Find some body who can take the dog if minds are changed.

As to your questions. Seoul is a big and spread out city - lots of vets - all over the place. You might have to ask when you come over and find that near you. Yes there are kennels. Travelling - bus and subway will be pretty much out. Train is doable but complicated with crates and putting in baggage car. Busses I would suspect being told to put underneath the luggage area. Taxis a toss up. I would suspect you might have to be willing to pay extra.

My advice is leave your dog at home. When things are settled down - get him sent over.

[Modernist]

Wow, a 50lb Staffordshire mix? I mean, I know they can be quite sweet and all but I think Koreans are going to generally freak out at that kind of dog. This is a Shih Tzu/Pekingnese/poodle kind of country. Big fighting dogs like yours [yes, I KNOW but that's how Koreans are going to see her] are NOT common and I highly doubt they will be welcomed.

Not all bigger dogs are created equal. A big slobbering Lab or Golden mix is one thing, a pit bull is another.

I very commonly see little tiny dogs being carried around like infants. Koreans won't blanch at that, but no way is a pit bull getting on a subway. 7 of 10 cabs will object. I'd bet 40 to 50% of bus drivers will refuse, crate or not.

Have you shown a picture of your dog to the perspective boss and landlord? Do they know EXACTLY what she is? Have you seen a picture of the pet-tolerant apartment? Do you know it will be big enough for 3, and not a tiny 1-room like Skippy is talking about [and what I have too]?

There aren't nearly as many parks or open spaces in Seoul, as you'd be used to. I've never seen anything like a dog park where you could let her off leash. If you went out to the countryside you could find something I imagine, but you'd really need a car for that.

Good on not leaving her, but it will be harder than you think. Kids will run away, many people on the street will avoid you, people in your building will complain. I hope it works out. I miss my little Shih Tzu/Bichon mix, so I know how you want to make it happen.

[Skippy]

Double check that your airline will take your dog. Some airlines do not handle certain dogs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull#Air_carrier_restrictions

Plus never mind your dog might be considered a good meal and stolen.

Another consideration but likely too late. Is look for a job in the countryside or small towns. Schools might put up with more and even work to get you a bigger place. Maybe...

[jacksthirty]

I love staffordshires (and mixes). I want to be first to volunteer to dogsit for you when you go on vacation.

[ajosshi]

[DomAndJenny]

Thank you all for your responses. I have been given a lot of thinking to do. Before I send out all of my E-2 documents I emailed the school and spelled it out again and requested which airline to fly with. The person who interviewed me is Canadian and knows the breed of dog and her size. They are hiring us as a couple, we both have B.Ed's and teacher certification, as well as teaching experience in Canada. We are in a decent position on our part.

If they agree on the airline, we will suck it up and just go for it. If worse comes to worse, we have to get back on a plane and fly home. I don't think it would come to that, or else we wouldn't fly halfway across the planet. Also, while this will be very unfortunate, there are worse fates.

jacksthirty, I may take you up on that!

I will update to let you know how this pans out I guess!