Korean Job Discussion Forums

allan of asia · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Location: Here, there, everywhere

OP I admire your forward thinking but the number of people who have dogs and live in apartments is sad, big or small dogs - the size of apartments here is so small it is IMHO just plain selfish of people to have dogs in Korea unless you do like the OP wants, one of those houses with a yard. - you are out all day leaving them inside and probably barking out of loneliness driving your neighbours crazy too. My old upstairs neighbour had a dog that whined in excess of 12 hours a day and I reported her to the Gu office for anti social behaviour...

I do see a lot of people with bigger dogs in Haebangcheon but I have no idea what they do with them - places are bigger there and maybe the people round there are more "flexible" - I am no animal lover and would never have a dog or cat i my house as I think its quite frankly unhygienic to have pets in your home. However OP I commend thinking of the conditions for any dogs before you get them, too many of the expats in Korea DONT THINK BEYOND THE YEAR they are here and then have to rehome or dump their pets...either of which is unsettling for the animal.

byrddogs · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Location: Shanghai

thunderbird · Joined: 18 Aug 2009

oh man koreans r afraid of big dogs, like really big dogs or even something like a shep, if u have a big dog u can bring him over but expect some scares n some coments

Nismo · Joined: 31 Aug 2005

Koreans have an irrational fear of SMALL dogs, too. I think it's funny. I don't know if I'm offending them, but there have been a few times where I see the overdramatic reaction of, "무서워!!!!!!!" and I just can't help but crack up at the person as they cower at a tiny yorkshire terrier walking on a leash in the park. It's not a "foreigner" thing to laugh, either - My wife laughs just as much. I mean really, it's absolutely ridiculous.

But, to be honest, my impression is that Korean dog owners don't do a very good job. My two very gentle daughters love dogs, and either the owners don't trust my very docile children to appropriately pet their animals, or the owners are scared that the dogs have a bad temperament. From all outward appearances (as judged by someone who has a natural affinity to canines), the dogs and my children would have a very nice interaction. There is no indication on either side that my children or the dogs are scared, and if they were I would keep my girls clear. I guess Korean dog owners have a just as irrational fear of children! Hah!

rkc76sf · Joined: 02 Nov 2008

seoulsucker · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 1:46 am Post subject:

The wife and I have two large dogs (70-80 lbs. each) and while it is challenging, our schedules, their training, and the natural temperament of the breed make it work and they're healthy, happy dogs.

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Died By Bear · Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 10:07 pm Post subject:

Don't let the size of the apartments and the naysayers get you down...

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you.

This is the principle difference between a dog and a man. - Mark Twain

DomAndJenny · Joined: 21 Nov 2011

OP, my fiance and I moved here 3 months ago with our large dog in tow. She is an boxer mix and it has its perks and its restrictions. We have had her for almost 3 years and did not think when we first got her that we would be moving so far away. I brought her from Canada, which was stressful leading up to the trip but the actual travel part was fine because of our preparation, if you plan to leave with her.

She is fine in the apartment, she was raised in apartments. She needs 60 mins of good exercise a day, which when you are looking to get a dog, in my opinion, an excuse to go out for a walk everyday or twice a day is part of the decision and the fun of owning a dog. She gets a little cabin fever if she isn't walked for a couple of days, but it was the same way in Canada. There have been a couple mornings where we get up at 5:30 am, head down to a river nearby and throw the ball to her in the field. She loves to get that kind of exercise. Would our lives be easier without having to worry about the dog? Yes. But the answer to that question is the same no matter what country you are living in I think. At the end of the day, she is happy and comfortable. We get mixed reactions, some people are afraid, many don't care and some are very interested. She has a few friends in the building that stop and say hello to her.

We have not gone out on an overnight trip yet because of the dog. We might rent a car sometime to get out of the city and take her. We have found a vet that will board her, and have had people offer to look after her. I am just nervous to leave her. I don't know if that is me being over protective or not. That has been a major drawback so far.

If the dog is well trained, well adjusted and well exercised it can live quite happily in an apartment regardless of size. So to sum up, the dog is happy, we are happy to have her because we love her but she does come with her restrictions, more so because of her size. We need to be back to take to the bathroom, walk her, or just hang out with her for so long everyday. But then again, if we did not want to do these things we wouldn't have gotten a dog. We had the same restrictions in Canada.

All that being said, it would probably be way way easier if we had a small dog, like a dacshund.

kmwg19 · Joined: 02 Feb 2012

OP I have a Golden here and we live in a rural area in a small apartment. We are soon moving to Seoul though. Reactions are mixed - excited to meet her, calm and kind, or crazy screaming scared. She converts many scared people or people who don't like her much as she is so calm and quiet. You will have no problems that you can't tackle so long as you have the conviction to work on it. I created a post on my blog about our pup actually on having a dog in Korea. I cover everything from what to expect to where to buy things. I hope you find it helpful. Part 2 might pertain more to you: http://gooseinkorea.blogspot.com/2011/10/having-big-dog-in-korea-part-2-ensuring.html

Finally, I hope that you adopt here in Korea. There's many animals in need of a good home and adoption screeners will help and guide you through all things. Please check animalrescuekorea.org for all the available dogs here. And best of luck in your search for a pup!

seoulsucker · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 1:00 am Post subject:

kmwg19 · Joined: 02 Feb 2012

Oh here's one more post that may help ^^ http://gooseinkorea.blogspot.com/2012/05/common-reactions-to-lucy.html

I also say never leave your dog outside alone - tied up while you go in someplace OR even in a yard. A friend of mine who was here for some time had a Great Dane and left her in the yard and kids threw rocks over the fence at her : ( She wasn't injured, but could have been! Also you wouldn't want your pup to be stolen or get out/away so better safe than sorry - hope this also helps!