Teaching English in Korea with a dog is possible — people do it. But employer-provided housing and pet policies create real complications that need to be sorted out before you accept any offer. A medium-to-large dog (12+ kg) raises the stakes further. Here is how to approach it.
The Core Problem: School-Provided Housing
Most hagwon and EPIK positions include housing as part of the package. This sounds convenient, but it creates a problem for dog owners: the apartment is arranged by the school or landlord, and pets — especially larger dogs — are frequently prohibited by the building or the lease agreement.
The school does not own the apartment. They rent it on your behalf, usually from a landlord who may have a no-pets clause. Even if the school is sympathetic, they may not be able to override the landlord’s terms.
Assuming pets are allowed without explicitly confirming it is the most common mistake. Do not sign a contract until you know exactly what the housing situation allows.
Request a Housing Allowance Instead
The cleanest solution for dog owners is to negotiate a housing allowance rather than school-provided accommodation. This puts you in control of finding a pet-friendly rental. You pay the rent directly, choose the apartment, and deal with the landlord yourself.
Not all schools offer this, and hagwons in particular may push back. But it is a reasonable request, especially for teachers with relevant experience. Frame it as a preference for independent living rather than leading with the dog.
When to Disclose the Dog
Timing matters. Disclose too early and you risk being passed over before anyone has evaluated your actual qualifications. Disclose too late and the school may feel misled.
The recommended approach from experienced teachers in Korea: mention the dog after you have a verbal offer — when it is clear they want you — but before the contract is signed. At that point, use clear, direct language:
“I want to confirm before we sign — I will be relocating with one quiet, house-trained dog weighing approximately 12 kg. Can the provided housing legally accommodate a pet, or could we discuss a housing allowance instead?”
This gives the school time to check with the landlord and gives you an exit if the answer is no.
Finding Pet-Friendly Housing Independently
If you go the housing allowance route, pet-friendly rentals in Korea do exist but require more searching. Key points:
- Search terms: 반려동물 가능 (pets allowed) or 애완동물 가능
- Platforms: Zigbang, Dabang, and Naver Jjoksae (직방, 다방, 네이버 부동산)
- Buildings with foreign management or newer construction in expat-heavy areas (Itaewon, Hongdae, Mapo, certain Gangnam areas) tend to be more flexible
- Expect to pay a pet deposit or cleaning fee on top of standard costs
- Larger dogs face more restrictions than small dogs — your 12 kg Goldendoodle will be harder to place than a toy breed
Pet Import Requirements: Start Separately and Early
Getting your dog to Korea is a separate process from finding a job. Key requirements include:
- ISO-compliant microchip
- Rabies vaccination (timing relative to the rabies titer test matters)
- Rabies antibody titer test and waiting period
- APQA (Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency) documentation from Korea
- Health certificate from a licensed vet in your home country
- Airline confirmation for live animal transport
Contact Korea’s APQA and your airline’s live animal desk well before your departure date. Processing timelines and country-specific requirements vary significantly.
Questions to Ask Any School Before Accepting
- Is the provided housing in an apartment building or a house?
- Does the lease allow pets? Can you confirm this in writing with the landlord?
- Is a housing allowance an option instead of provided accommodation?
- If pets are allowed, is there a pet deposit or cleaning fee I would be responsible for?