Share of households owning a pet South Korea 2023, by pet type

Dogs were the most popular type of pet among the approximately six million pet-owning households in South Korea in 2023. Cats came in a distant second. There were around 500 thousand dogs registered with the authorities the previous year. Dog registrations became possible in 2008, but they became obligatory only in 2014.

Pet dogs in Korea

Maltese dogs were the most popular breed with Koreans, accounting for nearly a quarter of all dogs, according to a 2021 report. Poodles and Pomeranians were also popular. Generally small and cute dogs are more popular in Korea, where people often live in apartments without their own lawns or other open areas more suitable for larger breeds. It is not unusual for dog owners to not to walk their smaller dogs. Around half of the dog owners got their dogs for from friends or acquaintances.

Korean pet industry

The pet industry in South Korea is a growing industry, worth an estimated around 3.8 trillion South Korean won in 2021 and expected to grow further to six trillion won by 2027. Whilst dogs are the most popular pet, cats, fish and other pets have also stimulated industry growth. On average, around 30 percent of Korean pet owners spend up over two hundred thousand won every month on pet-related costs. Accordingly, pet food imports have grown over the last decades.