History
The exact origin of Kunming Wolfdog is cloudy, but some experts assume that it is a cross between German Shepherds and wolfdog which developed in the 1950s and Yunnan military service used it.
A bunch of 10 dogs was brought to Kunming from the military K9 training program in 1953. However, sources do not mention the breed name. These dogs were not sufficient for the immediate requirement, therefore, 50 appropriate domestic dogs were recruited from Kunming, capital of Yunnan. Additionally, 40 dogs similar to others were added from Guiyang city in Guizhou province. Best 20 amongst these 90civil dogs were trained and selected. Finally, the 10 ‘wolf dogs’ from Beijing, 20 domestic dogs who were trained and 10’shephered’ dogs which were exported from Germany formed the breeding stock and developed Kunming Dog.
It got recognition as a breed by the Chinese Public Security Bureau in 1988. Presently, these dogs are useful for the Chinese Police and military, they have also become popular as excellent guard dogs and watchdogs. But they are not used as pets widely, despite the fact that they make ideal pets.
Temperament & Personality
Kunming dog is approachable and easy going pet who loves to perform a variety of tasks. They are shy of strangers and inform their owners if they found any suspicious activity inside its territory. They are not an ideal companion for kids, but with proper training and socialization from early days they can stay peacefully with children, but their interactions needs supervision. If they grow up with other dogs and pets, they can get along with them.
Exercise
Kunming Wolfdog is energetic and curious, plenty of exercise and activity can suffice their needs. Take the pet for long and brisk walks or jogs. Owners can also allow them to jog while riding a bicycle. Mental stimulation can be in the form of agility and obedience training or offering them puzzle toys.
Grooming
They do not require laborious grooming, but brushing their coat twice to thrice a week with a bristle brush will help to remove loose hairs from its coat. They shed seasonally and during its shedding season brush them regularly to prevent mats and to tangle. Bathe them when necessary with a vet prescribed shampoo.
Other grooming levels include brushing their teeth twice a week to avoid development of tartar and oral problems. They grow nails faster which can crack if not appropriately trimmed and hinder regular activities like walking, run, etc. However, cutting them twice a month will serve the purpose.
Kunming Wolfdogs are not prone to ear infections, but without proper cleaning water, dirt and wax can accumulate and cause infection. Hence, clean their ears with Vet prescribed ear solution to prevent infections and pain. Clean their corner of the eyes with a damp cloth to remove tear stains.
Health Problems
These dogs are not prone to genetic health but suffer from parvovirus, rabies, heartworms, distemper, tick-borne diseases and fleas. However, some occasional tests like cataracts, blood tests, X-ray, complete body check-up, and random vet checks can keep them healthy and reduce risk.
Training
Kunming desire to learn, but their stubborn and lively disposition makes it a challenge to train them.
Introduce leash and collar when they are four weeks old. When they do some positive activity like playing or eating, slip the leash and the collar and go for a short walk in the backyard, corner of the house, living room, garden, etc. Owners should always stay in front to resolve the pack of the leader issue. After they get familiar with the leash take for long walks outside the house.
Socializing them at an early age is also crucial to polish their skills. Gradually expose them to the outer world by taking them to busy places and introducing them to different situations. Command training is essential to polish their skills and enhance the relationship between the dog and the owner.
Opt for positive training methods like praises and treats, it will allow them to learn things quickly. Also, make sessions short and varied to prevent boredom.
Feeding
They do well on a high-quality dry dog which has beef, chicken, fish, and turkey as active ingredients. Owners can also keep them on a homemade diet with vegetables, bones, meat, fruits or raw foods. But it is important to visit a dietician or a vet before opting for the food. It is advisable to make the diet depending upon the dog’s size, age, and activity level. Some dogs tend to obese and also suffer from bloating, the owners should check their weight level and calorie consumption. If they gain weight minimize table scraps, treats, etc.
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