The Korean Mastiff temperament is loyal, gentle and calm. Korean Mastiffs are also known as Korean Dosa Mastiffs and they are truly gentle giants. These dogs are huge!
They are also exceedingly rare and expensive. They originated in Korea and they are very uncommon outside of their country of origin.
If you decide to add one to your family, it will be challenging to find one. It will also be challenging to afford the price tag!
In this article, we will discuss the components of the Korean Dosa Mastiff temperament to see if this might be the right breed for you.
We will also discuss tips for caring for your Korean Mastiff including training, grooming and veterinary care.
Finally, we will delve into the rarity of this breed and how you might go about finding one to bring into your family.
Getting to Know the Korean Mastiff Temperament
If you bring home a Korean Dosa Mastiff, what should you expect in terms of Korean Mastiff behaviors?
Continue reading below to learn more about the traits of the Korean Mastiff temperament.
It is important to keep in mind that all dogs have individual personalities, so your Korean Dosa Mastiff might display all of the characteristics listed below.
However, this section will give you a better sense of what to expect in terms of the typical Korean Dosa Mastiff temperament.
Gentle Giant
The Korean Dosa Mastiff is often described as a true gentle giant.
Even though these dogs are gigantic, they are very loving and sweet with their families.
Korean Mastiffs can even be great pets for families with kids. As with all dogs, proper socialization and supervision with kids are a must.
The children should also be taught to be kind and respectful to the dog.
Some parents think it is cute to allow small children to ride on or lay on large dogs. However, this is not a good practice. The dog or the child could get injured.
Supervise all interactions between kids and dogs (of all breeds and sizes) to make sure that everyone stays safe.
Moderate to Low Energy
If you are looking for a couch potato, the Korean Dosa Mastiff could be the perfect pet for you.
Of course, your Korean Mastiff will need some daily exercise, but not a ton.
This is not a high-energy dog.
Your Korean Mastiff will be perfectly happy with a few walks and an occasional game of fetch.
The Korean Mastiff does not need anywhere near as much exercise as other working or herding breeds such as the Border Collie or Australian Shepherd.
Loyal and Affectionate to Family
The Korean Mastiff temperament is loyal and affectionate towards family and friends.
Korean Mastiffs bond closely with their “people.”
These dogs want to feel like they are part of the family. They are not happy being put out in the yard. Even though they seem big and sturdy, they are happiest in the house with their family.
If you bring one home, make sure you can provide it with the attention and interaction that it craves.
Can Be Protective
The Korean Dosa Mastiff temperament can be protective towards intruders.
Like most Mastiff breeds, the Korean Dosa Mastiff was created in part to be a watchdog.
Your Mastiff will likely alert you to strangers that are approaching your property.
These dogs have a big, booming bark. Even though Korean Mastiffs are usually docile, they definitely look and sound intimidating!
Prepare for Drool!
Korean Dosa Mastiffs have large jowls so be prepared for drool!
If you are not comfortable dealing with a little dog drool, the Korean Dosa Mastiff is probably not the ideal dog for you.
True Mastiff lovers do not mind the drool. To them, it is a fair tradeoff for such a great dog.
Korean Dosa Mastiff History: Where did the Korean Mastiff Originate?
There is not a lot of written history about the Korean Dosa Mastiff.
We believe that the breed originated in Korea in the 1800s.
The Korean Mastiff was likely created by combining native Korean dogs with a variety of large working breeds possibly including the Dogue De Bourdeaux and other Mastiff variations.
The Korean Dosa Mastiff is the largest of the Korean breeds.
This breed is rare even within its country of origin. It is almost completely unknown outside of its native land.
Korean Mastiff Size and Appearance
The Korean Mastiff is one of the largest breeds on the planet! These dogs are absolutely massive.
The male Korean Mastiff weight can exceed 175 lbs! Females are typically a bit smaller.
The Korean Mastiff height can reach 30 inches at the withers.
This breed has a typical Mastiff build—very large, heavy and wrinkly.
In fact, the face of the Korean Dosa Mastiff is covered with deep skin folds. This is one of its most distinctive features.
Korean Mastiff colors can come in chocolate brown, red or mahogany.
Their tails and ears should be natural—not docked or cropped.
Korean Mastiff Grooming and Shedding
How do you groom such a massive dog?
Luckily, Korean Dosa Mastiffs do not require an excessive amount of grooming.
You can do most of the grooming yourself with frequent bathing and brushing.
The biggest task is cleaning out their skin folds—especially around their faces. It is important to do this because it helps prevent skin infections.
You should also brush their teeth and trim their toenails from time to time. If trimming the toenails is too daunting, you can pay to have this done at most vet clinics or grooming salons.
Does the Korean Dosa Mastiff Shed?
Yes, the Korean Mastiff does shed, although it is not excessive.
You can keep the dog fur at bay with frequent brushing and vacuuming.
However, you should be prepared for some shedding because you will not be able to eradicate it completely.
Is the Korean Dosa Mastiff Hypoallergenic?
The Korean Mastiff is not considered hypoallergenic. If you are looking for a hypoallergenic pet, check out this article for more information.
Korean Mastiff Training
How can you train your Korean Mastiff?
The best course of action is to get your new pet enrolled in an obedience class at the earliest opportunity.
If you get your Korean Mastiff as a puppy, be sure to sign up for puppy preschool (puppy socialization class).
This is the best way for your puppy to become socialized with other dogs. Since your Korean Dosa Mastiff is going to grow over 100 lbs., it is absolutely critical that your dog be friendly and polite with other canines.
If you adopt your Mastiff as an adult, you can still enroll in a group obedience class. You may also want to work one-on-one with a private trainer if you have any specific training needs.
Make sure you find a trainer that uses force-free, positive reinforcement training methods. Avoid trainers that use punishment or pain (including pinch collars or shock collars). Your Korean Dosa Mastiff might seem tough, but these types of aversive methods can easily damage the fragile relationship between you and your new dog.
Korean Dosa Mastiffs are smart and they enjoy mental stimulation such as obedience training. They also love other types of mental enrichment such as interactive toys and food puzzles.
If you are really ambitious, you can even get into canine sports with your Korean Mastiff such as nosework, weight pull, or carting.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
Staying Healthy: Korean Dosa Mastiff Health Issues
All breeds are prone to certain health conditions and the Korean Dosa Mastiff is no exception. In fact, giant breeds are especially prone to health problems due to their large size.
Talk with your veterinarian about the following Korean Mastiff health issues so you can be prepared if they arise:
- Bloat
- Hip Dysplasia
- Cherry Eye and other Eye Issues
- Demodectic Mange and other Skin Issues
- Cancer
- Heart Conditions
- Arthritis
Like all dogs, your Korean Dosa Mastiff should visit a veterinarian at least once per year for an annual checkup.
The yearly checkup should include vaccinations, deworming, a heartworm test, a fecal test, and a physical exam.
As your dog grows older, you might also want to start yearly bloodwork such as a senior blood panel. Your dog will also need occasional dental cleanings as it gets older.
Make sure your Korean Dosa Mastiff stays up to date on flea prevention, tick prevention, and heartworm prevention at all times. Talk with your vet about the best products for your Korean Mastiff.
Also, talk with your vet about the right time to get your pet spayed or neutered.
Since Korean Mastiffs can be prone to pricey vet bills, especially as they get older, you might want to explore the option of pet health insurance.
Make sure to feed your Korean Mastiff a high-quality dog food. Avoid filler ingredients such as corn or animal by-products. It is best to feed your Korean Mastiff multiple small meals throughout the day to avoid the life-threatening medical emergency called Bloat.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Note: Our Health is #1 Priority. It should be no different for your dog. But you need to help him. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. This handy guide will help you recognize the symptoms of the health problems above. Get the knowledge to stay ahead of these terrible issues that can rob your lovely dog from vigor and life. Help your friend make it to 14 yrs+ without pain and suffering.
What is the Lifespan of a Korean Mastiff?
The Korean Mastiff's life expectancy is sadly not that long. Giant breeds simply do not live as long as most other dogs. The typical Korean Mastiff lifespan is between 6 and 12 years.
Korean Mastiff Price: How Much is a Korean Mastiff?
The Korean Mastiff dog breed is one of the most expensive breeds in the dog kingdom.
In fact, a (very wealthy) dog lover in India recently paid over $300,000 to purchase and import two Korean Mastiff puppies from a breeder in China.
Obviously, the exorbitant price is going to be a prohibiting factor for most normal dog lovers when it comes to acquiring this breed.
Most average people simply cannot pay that much money for a Korean Mastiff puppy or any kind of puppy.
At this time, there do not appear to be any reputable Korean Mastiff breeders within the United States.
That means, if you are going to acquire a Korean Mastiff for sale from a breeder, you will probably have to travel internationally. Again, this is simply not possible for the average person.
If you do end up traveling abroad to acquire a Korean Mastiff puppy from a breeder, make sure you do careful research to make sure the breeding operation is ethical and humane. Beware of internet scams! Do not trust Korean Mastiff breeders who want to conduct all business over the internet. Make sure you visit the breeder in person and see the puppy before you pay the money.
Korean Mastiff Rescue and Adoption
If purchasing a Korean Mastiff from a breeder is out of the question for most people, is it possible to find a Korean Mastiff for adoption?
Since the breed is so rare, it is unlikely that you will find one up for adoption at your local animal shelter or humane society in the United States.
You can try working with a Mastiff rescue group.
Even if they do not have any Korean Mastiffs, they may be able to match you with another variety of Mastiff or Mastiff mix that will be a good fit for your home.
For example, shelters and rescues often have other types of Mastiffs that are looking for new homes such as the English Mastiff, Bull Mastiff, and sometimes even a Neapolitan Mastiff.
Rather than spending so much money on an exotic purebred puppy, consider adopting one of these Mastiffs or Mastiff mixes waiting for a home.
Acquiring a pet through adoption is rewarding and much more affordable.
Adoption fees are generally between $75 and $300 depending on the organization. The adoption fee usually covers basic vetting such as spay/neuter, vaccines and microchip, which saves you money as well.
You can also search for adoptable mastiffs online through Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com or Getyourpet.com.
We hope this article has been helpful in introducing you to the fascinating Korean Mastiff! If you want to learn more about Korean Mastiff temperament, try reaching out to owners and breeders to get more information about this unique breed.
Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs (and cats) throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry.