Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bijjy]

About 7 months ago I made a post about getting a puppy here in Korea. Many people advised not to, and I ended up not getting one. I got a fish instead, which is really cute, and I trained it to nip my finger, but that's another story.

So I may be interested in staying here another year, though I wasn't originally planning to. But the main reason I wouldn't is because I miss my dog. She is old and due to die in a few years (if her lifespan is like a regular dog's). I love her to bits.

She is medium-sized - like a small german shepard. My question is.. how are vet services, grooming salons and doggy daycares in Korea? Do they even exist? In the land of bosin-tang and dog meat markets, I wonder if I can even find a place to take care of her in the event I travel.

Has anyone here kept a medium sized dog in a highrise apartment? Since she is old, she sleeps a lot, and I would be home lots to take her on many walks.

Has anyone experienced bringing a medium-sized dog on the plane (and on the KTX/ in a cab) to a city like Daegu... and is there anything else I should be thinking of? Bringing her here would mean a lot to me.....

Woof!

[Ya-ta Boy]

It's difficult enough to teach an old dog new tricks, much less a new language. How do you think she will do in her Korean language lessons?

[quilter]

Bijjy,

We just brought our medium sized boxer over. So far we have had no problems. We also live in a high rise apartment, and the only strange thing has been how some of the people who encounter her react. It's like they are stumbling upon a two headed alien. There is an English speaking vet around the corner from us, and so far taxis have not been a problem. The taxi driver I spoke with said having a dog in the car would not be a problem for most taxis. I am not sure about pet hotels or kennels etc.

Peace,

[inspector gadget]

Don't do it,

Some how some way it will end up as dog soup before you finish you your contract.

Can you imagine how much a restaurant owner could charge if he asvertised "western dog soup".

Be carefull with your beloved pet!!!!!!!!!!

[ucfvgirl]

I have recently adopted a puppy off of Dave's site and I am so glad that I did. Having a dog here has made me more active and has given me something to do in the evenings. I live in Bundang and I have found an English speaking vet very close to my house. I had my dog neutered and the vet was extremely kind towards the dog and myself. We don't live in a high rise, but we do live in an apartment and I have not received any complaints about noise, as of yet. (had him for about a month). I walk him every morning and every night the minute I walk through the door.

I too have experienced the strange looks. He is Jindo and Akita cross so I am not sure why people look at him, considering he is a Korean dog. Koreans do not take well to medium/large size dogs. They are used to having small 'toy' dogs and to be honest, I find those kinds of dogs much more aggressive and yappy than bigger dogs. There have been so many instances where women have 'jumped' away from my dog when we are walking and he is on a leash. I just laugh.

I think that if you thinking about staying here another year, you may wish to have your dog sent here. It's hard on the animals to be seperated from their owners for so long. I am planning to go home for three weeks in the summer and I am bringing "INDY" with me. He would not be happy staying here without me.

[bijjy]

oops double post

[bijjy]

Thank you so much for the responses! I am starting to think this might actually be possible!

What about travelling.. did you give your dogs sedatives for the long flight to Korea? How did you get them from the airport to your house? My dog is pretty heavy.. maybe 60 lbs.. so I don't know if I can carry her in a dog carrier by myself. Plus suitcases!

[quilter]

From everything I have read on the net, it isn't a good idea to sedate your dog. All the experts say altitude and sedation don't mix, especially in older dogs. Our dog weighs about 22kg and my wife came all the way from Colombia with two huge suitcases. She said it wasn't a big problem transporting her through the airport etc as there were always staff around to help. Once she arrived at the airport we took a taxi van into the city. It cost us about 90,000 won.

Don't listen to the nay sayers. If you love your dog and want it here, then go for it!

[huffdaddy]