tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417613683563024050.post4835339375818710937..comments2024-03-12T01:46:10.572+09:00Comments on Ask the Expat: Things to Consider When Buying a Dog in South KoreaThe Expathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10795876773477053551noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8417613683563024050.post-59036504095426296792009-06-18T06:44:58.862+09:002009-06-18T06:44:58.862+09:00So I told my parents I was going to get a 똥개 (dong...So I told my parents I was going to get a 똥개 (dong-gae) when I move to Korea and they started laughing and asked if I like dog meat.<br /><br />Apparently, the term "똥개 (dong-gae)" came from the fact that starving stray dogs ate human shit. Little kids would shit on the streets and that's all the dogs could find to eat.<br /><br />Back in the days of the Korean War and thereafter there were a lot of stray dogs all over the place. Food was scarce for Koreans, so they were forced to eat these dogs. Typically, the larger breeds since they provided more meat.<br /><br />똥개's can still be found raised and sold as food (like any US livestock) in the more rural areas and is considered the best type of meat. I hear it's very pricey.<br /><br />So when a native stops, points, stares, comments about your 똥개, I don't think it's because of the fact that it's a mutt, but probably because you're walking around food.<br /><br />Imagine someone in the US walking in public with a leash around a chicken, or cow, or pig (ie George Clooney). I would stop and stare, too.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07305236720770640815noreply@blogger.com