Big Dogs and Little Cities

Here's the shortened question:

My boyfriend and I wish to relocate to Korea next summer for a year, probably in August but I will be visiting in May. However, we have that large dog obstacle - only for us, we have two. Our dogs are Kooley and Nahla. One is a purebred Siberian Husky (a rescue) and the other is a Husky/Yellow Lab mix. They weigh 50-60 lbs each.

 I am writing you for advice, any creative ideas you might have, etc. about bringing these guys with me to Korea. To be honest, at this point I am almost to the point of desperation because after reading a lot of stuff online it is totally discouraging. Your podcast about big dogs and bringing them to Korea is literally one of the only things that has given me hope.

What I was thinking about was working with a realtor to find us a place that allowed 2 larger dogs. Honestly, this is my only last idea on what to do . . . Another thought I had was to maybe find an expat that was leaving Korea that already had two larger dogs and a place we could take over . . .

Big dog questions never seem to end. The general idea that most expats give is that Korea is an awful place for big dogs because 1) some Koreans react poorly to any dog that doesn't look like it should be punted and 2) the fact that nearly all Koreans have dogs that I will at some point punt. That's partly true and normally I would just refer you to my other posts and podcast on big dogs in Korea, but it occurred to me that many of the problems facing expats with big dogs could be avoided if the expats themselves were a little more flexible.

I'm not suggesting that the questioner is being inflexible. In fact, it's just the opposite which is why I'll suggest moving to a small, rural city or bridged island. In the city, you're going to face extreme reactions to your dog. Just last night, my wife and I were walking my 10 month-old lab mix (who is about 30lbs tops) and the reactions certainly ran the gamut. Some were happy to see him, others stopped and walked the other direction and one even commented that "That dog looks like trouble." I'm used to it though and totally settled in Gangnam. I have no choice, but potential teachers do have a choice.

From my experience, older men and most older women seem to be a little more accustomed to big dogs. We could chalk that up to history or hometowns, but it's safe to assume the older the people, the better the reaction. Moving to a smaller town or island will not only give your dog more space, it will ensure you that all the obnoxious early twenty-somethings-in-their-UGG-boots-pathetically-trying-to-look-cute-by-acting-terrified-of-an-obviously-safe-and-domesticated-dog will certainly be lower in numbers. After all, they have to study in Seoul.

If you're coming with your boyfriend, make sure that your place is big enough for both of you. There are plenty of "couples positions" posted on Dave's and other sites, so you should be able to find a gig that offers a decently sized apartment.

My advice is to find some rural gigs (they can pay quite well), ignore the negative expat buzz and keep looking. I think if you involve a realtor, you're going to end up being charged for something you shouldn't be. There isn't a pet deposit in most apartments. You've just gotta pay if your dogs destroy it. Your potential school will be the one that makes the final call on your dogs. Be upfront with them and if they accept, then you're gold. If not, move onto to the next listing.

You've got plenty of time.