Badugi, the forgotten small dog of South Korea
Badugi are small to medium size long hair dogs native to the Korean Peninsula. The name Badugi comes from the Chinese board game of the same name. In English, we know it as Go. Badugi basically translates to black and white, which matches the coat pattern of these small dogs.
While larger breeds such as the Jindo, Pungsan, and Sapsali have all gained national recognition, the tiny Badugi dogs, despite their widespread popularity have mostly been ignored.
So far there has been no official recognition of the breed, so Badugi are what they are, that is an adorable, little dual color dogs, typically black and white but some are brown and white.
Most have long shaggy coats. Not quite as hairy as a Sapsali, but certainly hairy enough. With the correct training and home environment, I know they will make excellent lap dogs.
I have gotten to know quite a few Badugi while in Korea and in my experience they are curious playful little dogs. One Badugi use to wait for me in the rice paddies wanting to play with my standard poodle Lora. Although, she was a little shy and will always panic when Lora got too excited.
Other Badugi’s in my neighborhood were a bit more barky and will rash out to defend their home. Although, I have never seen one start a fight. They are just protecting their home and usually join in with the Jindos trying to scare away any invaders.
