The dog, indigenous to Korea, rose to fame as plucky, intelligent and viable.

According to a person concerned, various species of animals inhabited in the mountainous northern areas of Korea in the Middle Ages. Among those animals were dogs which later turned into the progenitor of the present-day Phungsan dog.

Phungsan is the name of a remote mountainous area, and it was the home of the dog. It is believed that the geographical condition has made the species of dog keep its blood pure.

One can distinguish the dog by its thick hind legs. Its eyes are smaller than other species of dogs, with black and grey apples.

The Phungsan dog has good appetite with strong resistance to coldness and diseases.

It is listed as one of the national heritages.