Dog care tips · October 2026

Holiday Plans in Korea? Small-Dog Care Around Seollal, Chuseok & Year-End in Seoul

Korea's big holidays are some of the best times to travel — a few days off in a row, and the whole country seems to be on the move. If you live in Seoul with a small dog, though, every holiday trip starts with the same question: who will look after my dog? This guide walks expats through planning small-dog care around Korea's major holidays, so the arrangements are sorted long before you pack your suitcase.

Know the busy dates

A few periods fill up faster than any other time of year:

• Seollal (설날, Lunar New Year) — a three-day national holiday that falls in late January or February. The date changes every year with the lunar calendar.
• Chuseok (추석, Korean harvest festival) — another three-day holiday, usually in September or early October. Like Seollal, it moves each year.
• Christmas and New Year — not as long, but many people combine them with annual leave for a trip abroad or a winter getaway.
• Long weekends — when a public holiday lands next to a weekend (and sometimes when a substitute holiday is added), many people travel at once.

Around Seollal and Chuseok, millions of people head to their hometowns. Train tickets sell out quickly, highways are slow, and flights cost more. Dog hotels and pet sitters see the same rush — so the earlier you plan, the more choice you will have.

Choose the right kind of care

Not every dog needs the same setup. Think about how long you will be away and how your dog handles new places.

• A day trip or a long day out? Hourly day care may be enough — your dog plays and rests while you are busy, and goes home with you in the evening.
• Away overnight or for several days? A dog hotel (boarding) gives your dog a safe place to sleep, with people checking on them throughout the day.
• Two dogs? Ask whether they can share a room. Many dogs settle in much faster with their housemate beside them.

Small-dog care at Mungdolphin in Gangnam

At Mungdolphin (멍돌핀) in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam, we have been caring for small dogs since 2022 (now in our 5th year). We only look after small dogs under 10 kg, which keeps the atmosphere calm for little ones.

Dog hotel

• Small room ₩40,000 (≈ US$30) · medium room ₩50,000 (≈ US$38)
• Family room for up to 2 dogs: ₩60,000 (≈ US$45) for dogs under 5 kg, ₩80,000 (≈ US$60) for dogs 5 kg and over
• Reservation and prepayment required · one dog per room (except the family room) · no dogs over 10 kg

Play room (hourly day care)

• Open daily 9:00–21:30 (weekends from 10:00)
• Under 5 kg: ₩3,000 (≈ US$2.30) per hour, ₩30,000 (≈ US$23) for a full day
• 5–10 kg: ₩4,000 (≈ US$3) per hour, ₩40,000 (≈ US$30) for a full day (over 4 hours counts as a full day)

The café is open every day of the week. Around Seollal and Chuseok, please text us before you plan around specific times, and book hotel nights as early as you can. For more detail on each service, see Staying in Seoul with Your Dog: Daycare, Dog Hotel & Grooming in Gangnam, or check the full price list.

How booking works

• Use the app: the Mungdolphin app (English supported) lets you book with a price estimate. Members also receive photo and video updates of their dog during the stay — a lovely thing to open on a holiday morning far from home. It is free on the App Store for iPhone; on Android, open the link and choose "Add to Home Screen". New members get ₩2,000 (≈ US$1.50) off once per family.
• Or send a text: message +82 10-2449-5545 with your dog's name, breed, weight and your dates. Texting is usually the easiest way for non-Korean speakers.

Do a short trial visit first

A new place, new smells and new people can be a lot for a small dog, especially when their favorite human suddenly disappears for four days. A week or two before the holiday, try a short visit to the play room. Your dog gets to know the space while you are still nearby, and you can see how they get along with other dogs. Many owners find the first real overnight goes much more smoothly after that.

A packing list for your dog

Holiday health tips

During Seollal and Chuseok, many smaller businesses close or shorten their hours, and that can include local vet clinics. Before the holiday, look up a 24-hour animal hospital near your home and save its address, and make sure your dog's regular medication will not run out while you are away.

Holiday tables are also full of foods that are not safe for dogs — grapes, chocolate, onions, garlic, and fatty or heavily seasoned dishes. If you are celebrating with Korean friends or family, a polite reminder not to share leftovers with your dog can save a stressful trip to the vet.

Drop-off and pick-up

• Subway: Sinnonhyeon Station (Line 9) is about a 7-minute walk; Nonhyeon Station (Line 7) about 10 minutes.
• Car: the Nonhyeon Elementary School public parking lot is right in front (open 24 hours, ₩300 per 5 minutes).
• Taxi: with luggage and a dog carrier, this is often easiest — show the driver this address 👇

Not traveling, but staying in Seoul with a new small dog? Our winter care guide for small dogs has tips for the cold months ahead.