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Characteristics, History, and Health
Kunming Dog
The Kunming Wolfdog, also known as the Kunming Dog or Yunnan Wolfdog, was first developed in the 1950s in China. The breed was initially created for military purposes, primarily as working or guard dogs. It is named after Kunming, the capital city of the Yunnan province in southwestern China, where the breed's development took place. During the breed's development, it was crossbred with the German Shepherd, contributing to the physical appearance and behavioral traits it shares with this popular breed. However, as the exact specifics of the breed's lineage are uncertain, it's speculated that other breeds might also have been used in its development.
Main Info
- Origin
- China
- Alternate Names
- Kumming Wolfdog, Chinese Wolfdog
- Life Expectancy
- 10-12 years
- Average Male Height
- 25-27 inches
- Average Female Height
- 25-27 inches
- Average Male Weight
- 66-84 pounds
- Average Female Weight
- 66-84 pounds
- Coat Length
- Short
- Coat Type
- Double, Smooth
- Coat Colors
- Black, Light Straw, Deep Rust
- Coat Pattern
- Tan/Rust Markings, White Markings
Genetic Predispositions and Health
The Kunming Dog can suffer from blood disorders, heart conditions, and eye ailments such as progressive retinal atrophy. They may also be prone to diabetes, degenerative myelopathy, epilepsy, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disk disease, osteochondritis dissecans, panosteitis, skin allergies, and von Willebrand Disease. Kunming Dogs are susceptible to bloat, also known as gastric dilation volvulus (GDV). This is a life-threatening condition that can come on suddenly, so it’s important to know the warning signs and get an affected dog immediate veterinary care.
Personality and Behavior
Kunming Wolfdogs are known for their intelligence, bravery, and strong work ethic, traits they likely inherited from their German Shepherd ancestors. They are trainable, obedient, and versatile, able to adapt to various tasks and environments.
They are also known for being very loyal and protective of their families, making them good guard dogs. However, they can be wary of strangers, so socialization from a young age is crucial.
While they can make good family pets in the right environments, these dogs are not suitable for everyone. They need a lot of mental and physical stimulation, and without this, they can become bored and potentially destructive.
Fun Facts
The Kunming Wolfdog was one of the main dog breeds used by the Chinese during the Vietnam War for tasks like search and rescue, tracking, and as sentry dogs.
Despite their name, Kunming Wolfdogs don't actually have wolf ancestry - the 'wolfdog' part of their name likely comes from their wolf-like appearance.
The Kunming Wolfdog is a popular breed for use in the police and military in China, but they're relatively unknown outside of their home country.
The breed was officially recognized by the Chinese Public Security Bureau in 1988.
References
https://kidadl.com/animal-facts/kunming-wolfdog-facts https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/kunmingdog.htm
https://dogell.com/en/dog-breed/kunming-wolfdog
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