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Breed Characteristics
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Telomian
| Other Names | Telomaihound, Telomian Dog |
| Country of Origin | Malaysia |
| Weight | 18 - 30 lbs. (8 - 13.5 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 15 - 19 in. (38 - 48.5 kg) |
| Coat | Short and smooth |
| Colour | They come in any shade of sable, with white and ticking. A black mask is not unusual. Like the chow chow, the breed has a blue tongue. |
| Litter Size | 3 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 12 - 15 years |
| Origin & History | Telomians were originally bred as vermin-controlling hunting dogs by the Orang Asli indigenous people of Malaysia. Telomians developed an unusual climbing ability, as the Orang Asli built their houses on stilts in order to avoid contact with dangerous animals on the ground. Certain cynologists have proposed that the telomian may be the missing link between the Basenji and the dingo. Although the Malayan natives kept dogs, they considered them to be nonetheless unlucky, and treacherous animals which longed for the deaths of their master. To see a feral dog was considered doubly unfortunate, as such animals were considered to be evil spirits. They were officially discovered by the West in 1963 by anthropologist Dr Orville Elliot, who named the breed after the Telom River where he first found them. A pair of dogs was brought to the United States, with a Telomian Dog Club being established in 1970. A second pair of telomians was imported to the US in 1973 and it is believed that all Telomians in the West descend from these two domesticated pairs. |
| Personality | Telomians are charming, intelligent, and loyal to their owners. They are suspicious of strangers and therefor make good guard dogs. Energetic and active, Telomians love to play and run, needing to work of energy, chasing games are appealing to them. They can get along well with other pets if socialized properly. |
Care Requirements
| Health | There are no known breed-specific health concerns. |
| Grooming | This dog does not require a large amount of grooming. Their smooth short-haired coat is easy to look after. Owners will simply want to make sure the coat is brushed on a consistent basis. These dogs should only be given baths when they need it. A wipe down with a damp towel should suffice for the bathing aspect, (although you should bathe it with mild soap only if or when necessary; you should also dry shampoo it occasionally), however a rubber, wire, or hard bristled brush would work best for the brushing aspect. The shedding patterns of these dogs are not known. Be sure to check the ears carefully for signs of infection. The nails should also be trimmed, (particularly to avoid nail-born infections). |
| Exercise | This is a dog that needs extensive amounts of exercise. Without it, the dog could become problematic for its owners. It should be taken on walks daily, and this dog is great for healthy people who love to jog and hike. |
| Other Considerations | While it can live in an apartment, it may perform better in a small yard. It is important for owners to make sure this dog is never unleashed in an unsecured area, as it may run off in the direction of the first interesting scent it picks up. It is important for owners to make sure these dogs are given lots of space to move around in. |
