Pungsan
Also called Phungsan, Pungsangae, Poongsan, Korean Phungsan
From North Korea, from the Kaema highlands around the former Phungsan County in Ryanggang Province.1
At a glance the quick version
Wikipedia gives 20-30 kg for the breed without splitting by sex.
Coat and looks how to spot one
thick double coat
A hardy spitz-like hunting dog with thick, fine yet strong fur suited to a cold mountain climate, a curled tail and ears that start folded in puppies and stand upright as they grow.2
Personality what they are like
Calm and good-natured at home, rarely barking or squabbling without reason, yet remarkably persistent and courageous when hunting. It is loyal to its people and gets on well with other dogs.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Built for cold weather and copes poorly with heat, so in warm weather it needs shade and a cool place to rest.2
Home where they are happiest
Adapted to harsh, cold mountain climates.2
Company who they like around
Works well in a pack and mixes easily with other dogs.2
The story where it all began
The Pungsan was traditionally a hunting dog of Korea's northern mountains. Japanese colonial authorities listed it as a natural monument in 1942, and North Korea later made it a national monument and, in 2014, its national dog.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
At the 2000 inter-Korean summit Kim Jong-il gave two Pungsan dogs to South Korea's President Kim Dae-jung; they later had 15 puppies at Seoul Zoo.1
- 2
In 2018 two more Pungsan dogs, Songkang and Gomi, were gifted to President Moon Jae-in, and Gomi had six puppies soon after.1
- 3
An old legend claims that three Pungsan dogs together could catch a tiger.1
- 4
The breed starred in a 2010 North Korean animated film, 'Story of the Pungsan Dog'.1
Recognised by the official bits
- Major kennel clubs
- Not recognised by any major kennel club, per Wikipedia.1
- North Korea
- National monument since April 1956 and national dog since 2014, per Wikipedia; Korean Wikipedia lists it as Natural Monument No. 368.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Pungsan. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Pungsan dog - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, origin, recognition, size, temperament, history, facts
- 풍산개 - Korean Wikipedia ko.wikipedia.orgused for coat, colours, temperament, habitat, history
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.