Updated 7/13/2004:

I adopted Sol a neutered male Jindo possibly Jindo Mixed age-at the time one year and eight months from the ASPCA in New York in late May of 2004. 

When my boyfriend and I were looking for a quiet and laid back pet that wouldn't mind living in an apartment in the city. The sheltercare worker told us about Sol, how he's the sweetest dog there. I was really excited until he said he was a jindo. I had lived with a little white jindo before and I swear that puppy was the devil. This little guy tore everything up, barked constantly and was very demanding. Of course this was also the first puppy we ever had so we just didn't know what to do. If I had learned more about the temperment of a Jindo dog I think I would've been more understanding. But the experience made me dislike Jindos until i met Sol. 

When we visited the dogs available Sol struck me the most becasue of his calm and poised manner admist all the histerical barking and dogs pacing in thier cages. He was sitting upright in the center of his cage with his head held up like he was some sort of prince. He looked at us unphased like he had too much pride to waste his time on us strangers. We were told he'd been at the shelter for 6 months because of this aloofness torwards strangers, and that he was neglected by his previous owner and almost resulted in is death from starvation and caused the death of his puppies which he didnt eat. (its actually on an episode of animal precinct). We decided why not adopt him? He's in need of a home and a second chance. We figured as long as he wasnt a barker and people aggressive i was happy to take him.

Now we've had him for almost 2 months. When we first got him he didnt respond to his name for 3 weeks not becasue he didnt know it but becasue he felt we were strangers, didnt like to be petted, he refused to sleep near us and instead went and slept on the welcome mat by the entrance door. He was understandably, depressed- sighing loudly and often, aloof and mistrustful of people. Probably thought his stay was temporary. It took him a more weeks to shine up to us but now he's showing his real side and he is a very sweet, well mannered, affectionate, clever, and a considerate dog. He rarely barks without reason, was housebroken immediately, isnt demanding other than for walks bc he sleeps all the time when he's indoors,  and he is quite the skilled hunter. 

To not make the same mistake with my last dog I researched and read all about the breed. When i let him know not to touch a plate of food, I don't need to repeat myself and he won't come near any of it even if i leave the room. Now he follows me around constantly, responds only when I call to him and no one else, and he likes to sleep on the bed- if i kick him off he'll sleep on the floor next to me instead of on his bed in the living room. He greets us enthusiastically at the door, licks our faces in the morning and loves having his stomach rubbed my us. He is very compliant, and gentle with children but can be stubborn and likes to have his own way sometimes. He is like some other dog breeds a bit dog aggressive and will growl when near another dog but he's never growled or snapped at us even when we to bathed him the first day we brought him home.

We love this dog and spoil him often with liver snacks, grooming, fancy dog harness, tags, collars, leashes and toys. I think he knows he's a special dog. My boyfriend makes fun of the fact that I cook more for the dog than I do for him. I read and heard that unless you raise a jindo from a pup, they'll always love their original owner but I don't think thats true. I think once they decide to accept you as their new family, dogs that come from abused or neglected homes can love you as strongly becasue haven't made a connection with a person before and even dogs given up from good homes will try harder with their new handlers in fear of being abandoned again. I think It might take a couple of more months for Sol to realize that he's going to be with us for the rest of his days and that he'll never be abandoned and mistreated again. I'd have never expected that I'd be this big of a dog person. To me Sol is more than just a dog- he's my adored companion and I'm lucky to have him.

-J.K. in New York
 
 
 

 *Sol appeared on the Animal Precinct, Episode 401: Unprotected Guard Dog.  The episode was televised in September 2004.