Pungsan: unique dogs from North Korea that can defeat a tiger

During the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea, he was given two dogs of the Pungsan breed. We are talking about representatives ofone of the rarest breeds in the world, which is almost unknown outside the DPRK. These dogs are considered a national treasure and have been used by North Korean hunters since ancient times to catch large predators. Pungsan dogs are strong and resilient, and also have an extremely developed hunting instinct. In addition to this, they are very loyal to their owners and are considered not just pets, but “fellow travelers, life partners.” There are a lot of interesting things to tell about this rare and unusual breed of dog, the representatives of which cannot be found anywhere.

Pungsan: unique dogs from North Korea that can defeat a tiger. Dogs of the Pungsan breed. Source: kcna.kp. Photo.

Dogs of the Pungsan breed. Source: kcna.kp

Pungsan dog breed from North Korea

According to legend, the Pungsan is a mixed breed of dog that descended from North Korean wolves. No one knows exactly when they first appeared, but it is believed that they have been used for hunting since the Joseon Dynasty. The Joseon Dynasty ruled Korea from 1392 to 1897, meaning that Pungsan dogs have been around for over 500 years. North Koreans believe that Pungsan dogs are the ancestors of the Akita and Shiba breeds.

Pungsan dog breed from North Korea. All Pungsan dogs are white. Source: rg.ru. Photo.

All Pungsan dogs are painted white. Source: rg.ru

Some of the rarest dogs in the world

Pungsan dogs can grow to a large size, usually standing 60 centimeters tall and weighing up to 25 kilograms. They have a strong, muscular build with thick white fur. These dogs need their luxurious fur to withstand the cold winters of North Korea. Temperatures there vary depending on the region: on average, the thermometer shows -7 degrees Celsius in winter, but in mountainous areas there are frosts of -20 degrees. Considering that Pungsan are used for hunting, they really need protection from the cold.

One of the rarest dogs in the world. Pungsan dogs are well adapted to the cold. Source: 101dogbreeds.com. Photo.

Pungsan dogs are well adapted to the cold. Source: 101dogbreeds.com

Pungsan Dog Personalityis that they are always ready to protect their owner. They are wary of all strangers, so they are not only excellent hunters, but also excellent watchdogs. Some individuals can ignore strangers until they violate the boundaries. In general, everything depends on education, which the owners need to pay a lot of attention to.

One of the rarest dogs in the world. The character of any dog ​​largely depends on its upbringing. Source: 101dogbreeds.com. Photo.

The character of any dog ​​largely depends on its upbringing. Source: 101dogbreeds.com

Very developed muscles, increased endurance and hunting instinct allow the Pungsang to defeat even terrible predators like the Amur tiger. This species of tiger is considered the largest representative of the cat family, whose body length reaches 3 meters and weight – 300 kilograms. These predators have powerful paws with sharp claws, which is why they can be called one of the most dangerous predators on Earth. Their diet consists of large animals such as wild boars and deer. To defeat such a tiger, you need to be a very strong and brave animal, which is what Pungsan dogs are.

Some of the rarest dogs in the world. It's hard to believe that dogs can defeat an Amur tiger, but it's true. Source: kp.ru. Photo.

It's hard to believe that dogs can defeat an Amur tiger, but it's true. Source: kp.ru

Read also: 5 Real Mutant Animals That Were Created by People

Proper Dog Training

Although most Pungsan dogs live exclusively in North Korea, there are a few breeders of this breed in South Korea and the United States. Due to the need for extensive training, these dogs are not recommended for beginners.

By nature, Pungsan are hunters, so they love to chew something since childhood, so they need to buy toys. Due to their thick coat, they require regular brushing, especially during shedding. Like other large dogs, they are susceptible to a number of diseases related to their body size. For example, they often have problems with the hip and elbow joints. They may also have problems with their eyes and ears.

Proper education of dogs. Pungsan dog puppy. Source: 101dogbreeds.com. Photo.

Pungsan dog puppy. Source: 101dogbreeds.com

Pungsan dogs are very energetic, so they can’t just lie around the house. They need to be released into open spaces every day and given the opportunity to run and play to their heart's content. Due to their tendency to obesity, these dogs must undergo regular physical activity to keep their body in good shape.

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With proper care, the lifespan of Pungsan dogs is about 15 years. Lancashire Heelers hold the record for life expectancy. In the average, they live 15.4 years, and after them Tibetan spaniels and miniature dachshunds are considered long-livers. If you are interested in this topic, we highly recommend reading our article “Which dog breeds have the longest life expectancy.”


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