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Kunming Dog |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
China | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
Chinese Kunming Dog |
A brief presentation of the Kunming Dog |
| The Kunming Dog is an established breed of wolfhound native to China. They have been trained as military assistance dogs to perform a variety of tasks such as mine detection. Some are also trained as fire and rescue dogs. Today, they are often kept as family companions by many pet owners in China. |
History of the Kunming Dog |
| The exact origin of the Kunming Dog is cloudy, but some experts presume that it is a cross between German Shepherds and Wolfhounds that developed in the 1950s and was used by the Yunnan military service. A group of 10 dogs was brought to Kunming from the K9 military training program in 1953. However, the sources do not mention the name of the breed. These dogs were not sufficient to meet immediate needs. Consequently, 50 suitable domestic dogs were recruited in Kunming, capital of Yunnan. In addition, 40 dogs similar to the others were added in Guiyang, Guizhou province. The best 20 of these 90 civilian dogs were trained and selected. Finally, the 10 Beijing Wolfdogs, 20 trained domestic dogs and 10 bred dogs exported from Germany formed the breeding stock and developed the Kunming Dog. It was recognized as a breed by China's Public Security Bureau in 1988. Today, these dogs are used by the Chinese police and army. They have also become popular as excellent guard dogs. But they are not widely used as pets, despite the fact that they are ideal pets. |
Appearance of the Kunming Dog |
| Kunming Dogs are generally medium-sized dogs. Their height ranges from 64 to 68 centimeters and their weight from 30 to 38 kilos. The Kunming Dog's head and body are similar in appearance to those of the German Shepherd, except that they are higher in the back. They have a seasonal coat that becomes a double layer from late autumn to early winter, but eventually loses to a shorter layer in late spring. The tail is long, like their German Shepherd cousins. Kunming Dogs sometimes raise their tails high when excited, but they often carry them lower behind their backs, like their wolf ancestors. Coats are marked with a black saddle and muzzle, with other colors ranging from light straw to deep rust. |
Temperament of the Kunming Dog |
| The Kunming Dog is an approachable, easy-going pet that enjoys performing a variety of tasks. They fear strangers and will inform their owners if they discover any suspicious activity on its territory. They are not an ideal companion for children, but with proper training and socialization from the start, they can remain at peace with children, but their interactions require supervision. If they grow up with other dogs and pets, they can get along with them. |
Needs and activities of the Kunming Dog |
| The Kunming Dog is energetic and inquisitive, so plenty of exercise and activities can suffice for their needs. Take them for long, brisk walks or jogs. Owners can also allow them to jog by riding a bike. Mental stimulation can take the form of agility and obedience training, or offer them toys. The Kunming wants to learn, but their stubborn, lively disposition makes training difficult. Start using the leash and collar at four weeks. When they're doing something positive like playing or eating, slip on the leash and collar and take a short walk in the yard, corner of the house, living room, garden, etc. Owners should always stay in front to solve the problem and the leader's question. Once they've become familiar with the leash, go for long walks outside the house. Socializing them at an early age is also crucial to perfecting their skills. Gradually expose them to the outside world by taking them to lively places and familiarizing them with different situations. Command training is essential to perfect their skills and improve the relationship between dog and owner. Opt for positive training methods like praise and treats, as this will help them learn things quickly. Also, keep sessions short and varied to avoid boredom. |
Maintenance of the Kunming Dog |
| They don't require laborious grooming, but brushing their coat two to three times a week with a soft bristle brush will help remove loose hair from its coat. They shed seasonally and, during the shedding season, brush them regularly to avoid mats and tangles. Bathe them if necessary with a shampoo prescribed by the vet. Other levels of grooming include brushing teeth twice a week to prevent the development of tartar and oral problems. Fingernails grow more quickly, which can cause cracks if not trimmed properly and interfere with normal activities such as walking, running and so on. However, cutting them twice a month will help. Kunming Dogs are not prone to ear infections, but without proper cleaning water, dirt and wax can accumulate and cause infection. Therefore, clean their ears with vet-prescribed ear solution to prevent infection and pain. Clean the corners of the eyes with a damp cloth to remove tear stains. |
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