Overview
The Kunming Dog is a wolf-like working dog from the high plateau city of Kunming in Yunnan, China. It was shaped to serve as a dependable partner for police, customs and the armed forces.
Today it works in tracking, detection of drugs and explosives, security, and search and rescue. It is the only Chinese working breed with international recognition.
History
In the 1950s, Yunnan police chose about twenty local wolf-like dogs and began breeding and training them, with German Shepherd blood adding to the mix. These founders, in wolf black, straw yellow and black-backed coats, gave rise to the breed's three main strains.
A long, systematic breeding programme run by the Kunming Police Dog Base followed. The breed was formally named in 1988 and gained international recognition in 2007. It has even been cloned for police service.
Appearance
A tall, athletic, wolf-like dog. Males commonly stand 60 to 75 cm at the shoulder and females are a little smaller at around 60 to 65 cm.
Two colour patterns are recognised: the wolf black type, with black and yellow spread across the body, and the back black type, with a black saddle and yellow on the belly and legs.
Temperament
Bold, focused and highly driven, the Kunming Dog is bred to work. It is intelligent, quick to learn and strongly bonded to its handler, with a watchful, protective nature.
It needs purpose and firm, fair leadership. Without work or stimulation it may become restless or over-guarding.
Care and exercise
This is a dog for experienced, active owners. It needs plenty of daily exercise, mental work such as scent games or obedience training, and early, thorough socialisation.
Coat care is simple: regular brushing, with extra attention during seasonal shedding.
