Donggyeongi Dog of Gyeongju

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.540

Category

동식물

Designated year

2012

Location

경주시, 경상북도— 경상북도 경주시 용명공단길 138-14 (건천읍)

Coordinates

35.858601, 129.112277Kakao address conversion

The donggyeongi is a breed of a dog that is known to have been raised in the Gyeongju area for many centuries. It appears frequently in many ancient documents such as Donggyeong japgi (Miscellaneous Records of the Eastern Capital) and Jeungbo munheon bigo (Revised and Enlarged Edition of the Comparative Review of Records and Documents), and clay figurines depicting it have been excavated from Silla tombs. The donggyeongi dogs bred in Gyeongju today usually have either a (very) short tail or none at all, a physical characteristic which perfectly matches the descriptions given in ancient documents. In addition, gene analysis has revealed that the donggyeongi is a native Korean breed. Currently, nearly 300 such dogs are being raised under a well-organized protection and management system encompassing history management, disease control, breeding management, and pedigree management.

Location