Jindo dogs celebrated with special day

A Jindo dog

Jindo County in South Jeolla Province has dedicated May 3 as Jindo Dog Day and a festival will be held in honor of the bright and loyal canines.

The celebration is designed to mark the 50th anniversary of the designation of the Jindo dog as Korea’s natural treasure No. 53. Falling on the fifth month and third day, it matches the treasure number.

The four-day festival will take place until May 6 at a Jindo dog themed park and aims to promote tourism in the region. It is also making efforts to raise local and international attention for the national treasure.

Along with preserving and fostering the breed, the festival can create new opportunities for the dogs.

On the first day, the festival organizers will hold a contest to select the best Jindo dog. For the past 20 years, the contest has been held at the end of October.

The program will include agility-testing games and a trick competition for the dogs and a Jindo troupe will perform a special show.

Since the festival overlaps with Children’s Day on May 5, the county is planning additional activities, including pottery, drawing, puzzles, photo-taking, face painting and sledding.

To demonstrate the Jindo’s skills a race will also be organized.

Its capabilities were recognized last October when four trained Jindo dogs raced alongside greyhounds at the Yeongam races.

An official said, “Jindo racing will help us attract more tourists and find a new opportunity for the county.”

With the debut of the park, Jindo breeding facilities are also scheduled to open.

Jindo Island, which is famous for the Jindo dog, is the third largest island, just off the southwest coast of Korea. <Korea Times/Alexander Tehoon Ahn>

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