The Phungsan hound is a native kind of the Korea that is well known to and acquainted with the Korean people since long ago.
The Phungsan hound is native to the region of Kim Hyong Gwon County (Phungsan County in the past), Ryanggang Province and its name was derived from the name of the region.
It is clever and agile and full of fight.
In particular, Phungsan hound trained for hunting watches closely and follows its master well in the mountainous area. It is most ferocious against a game among the hounds.
It looks dashing and, with strong hind legs, is a good runner even on steep mountainsides. It always keeps its head high on the lookout.
Eyes are rather small and their eye apples are black or grey. Blood vessels are distinctive in eyeball area and eyes are bright.
It has comparatively small straight ears bent forward or sideway.
Its neck is thick, short and well-framed.
The she-dog has a slightly dropped belly, but the male’s is taut for quick movement.
It has its tail held high in a loop on its hips.
The fur is mostly white, but sometimes yellowish brown.
The male is 55 cm tall and weighs 24-25 kg (28 kg at the most), and the she-dog is 53 cm tall and 22-23kg (27kg at the most). The male is 57 cm long and 61cm round its chest, and the she-dog is 55 cm long and 59 cm round.
It has a litter of 5-6 puppies after 60 days of pregnancy and gives suck to the young for 45-50 days.
Its pure breed is being maintained by the method of pure propagation.
The dog is strongly resistant to diseases and cold and eat very well, and so it can be bred in rough conditions.
The Phungsan hound is well known to the world as it is the excellent one that is very brave, ferocious, clever and full of vitality.
It is also regarded as a faithful dog as it, though gentle in its nature. It has strong fighting spirit and courage of biting the other to death without concession if it or its master is being attacked.
A story that the Phungsan hound bit a tiger that was as big as a calf to death and the legendary story that it died after saving his master who was sleeping in the flames are being conveyed up to today.
The Korean people love the Phungsan hound since long ago as its appearance is stouthearted and its disposition is similar to the Korean nation.
The Phungsan hound that was in danger of extinct due to the obliteration policy of the Japanese imperialists in the past, has been recorded as a state natural monument thanks to the ardent love of the great leaders who treasured all belonged to the Korean nation and added more brilliance to them. The Phungsan hound, as the national dog, is well protected and multiplied under the deep concern of the state.
