MyDogBreeds
Kunming Dog is originated from China but Brittany is originated from France. Kunming Dog may grow 16 cm / 7 inches higher than Brittany. Kunming Dog may weigh 18 kg / 40 pounds more than Brittany. Both Kunming Dog and Brittany has almost same life span. Kunming Dog may have less litter size than Brittany. Kunming Dog requires Moderate maintenance. But Brittany requires Low maintenance
Known also as the Kunming Wolfdog, the Kunming Dog is similar in looks to the German Shepherd Dog, but the coat is recognizably shorter.
It’s an attractive looking wolf-like dog which comes from China. It isn’t quite clear which dog breeds were used in the gene pool for these Kunming wolfdogs. You can see though that the German Shepherd as well as other wolfdog-crosses have played a part in the breed's origin.
The dog was created in the early 1950s for military- and guard dog purposes. In 1988, the Chinese Public Security Bureau officially recognized the Kunming Dog as a breed. Today, the dog is still used in military and police services.
One of the most intense bird dog breeds in existence is the Brittany, bred for hunt. The breed used to be called the Brittany Spaniel, but since the breed is closer to a setter or pointer, that moniker has been dropped. The Brittany is named for the French Province in which they were originally developed. Sometime from the 17th to the 19th centuries, the breed was developed. Images of a very similar dog can be found on 17th century paintings and tapestries. However, the first written description comes from 1850 by a Reverend Davies, describing a hunting episode. The breed was recognized officially in the early part of the 20th century and made a splash at the 1900 Paris Dog Show.
The first official standards were written in about 1907 and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1934.The Brittany is expected to point to and then retrieve birds and other small ground game. Because the Brittany both points and retrieves they are known in the U.K. as a Hunt, Point and Retrieve breed or an HPR, and they have more Dual Champions than the rest of the AKC Sporting group.
There are actually two types of Brittanys in the minds of many breeders. There is the “French” Brittany and the “American” Brittany. When the breed arrived in the United States in 1931 they became immensely popular in a short period of time. In 1942 American Breeders began the American Brittany Club, rewriting the French standard to fit the dog they knew. Today there are definitely difference between the two sub-sets that can easily be seen. The French dog is smaller than the American dog. The American dog is a runner pacing ahead of the hunter while the French dog works more closely with their human companions. Another visible difference is that the French accept black spotted Brittanys, while in the United States a black spotted coat is considered a fault. Both sub-sets are known for their willingness to follow human directions, their eagerness for the hunt, and their agility and speed.
Unfortunately, the European wars took their toll on this breed as they did on many others. Following the second World War, their numbers in Europe were drastically reduced. The French had stop breeding them altogether during the war. It was in this depleted gene pool that the French agreed to accept the black spotted Brittany. Along with the U.S., Canada also does not recognize the black spotted Brittany.
The Kunming is a large dog, athletic and muscular, standing at 60 – 68cm and weighing 30 – 38kg. They are dogs which fall under the Spitz type category.
The dog has a coat which is considered seasonal - double layered in the cooler months and shedding to a shorter coat in the hotter months. The thick coat can be a light tan color to white and he has a black saddle pattern, giving the dog an overall black and tan combination.
The bushy tail is long and its carried down and low except when the dog is excited and alert, then it lifts its tail. The ears are erect like that of the German Shepherd or Wolf.
He isn’t the best breed for a first time owner as he is very strong willed and can tend to become aggressive. It is why he has been used to perform tasks in the military.
These dogs are known for their alertness, and to keep him mentally balanced and amicable, he will need a strong, firm owner who is also fair, patient and consistent. Bored and frustrated, a Kunming can become unpredictable and a first time dog owner might not be able to cope with such an independent, strong-willed, determined, confident dog.
He is also energetic and intelligent, making a great family dog as he is loyal, loving and devoted. His intelligence allows him to learn easily too. Training and socialization will be required if you want him to be obedient.
He is adaptable and can adjust to life in the city or the countryside, but essentially he is better suited to a home with large grounds as he is a dog which is full of energy.
The Brittany is much like other hunting dogs – pointers and retrievers – in size and stature. He is solid and strong but not heavy. He is compact with an average size head and floppy ears, docked tails or short natural tails, and expressively intelligent looking eyes. He is athletic, energetic, and alert. He has a long, elastic and free gait. The French dog is smaller and the dog with black spots is accepted. The American Brittany is larger and only a tri-color of orange, liver and white is acceptable.
Your attractive Kunming dog is an energetic, lively dog who is going to require a good deal of exercise as he was developed to be a working dog.
They are loving towards their human families and even well behaved with other dogs in the family. He will however need socialization and training from a firm, fair, consistent owner.
Provide him with a loving environment, lots of exercise, wholesome food, a warm, dry place to sleep and lots of mental and physical stimulation, and you’ll have a wonderful, contended pet and companion.
The Brittany is particularly trainable and friendly. They love to play and are sweet-natured. They don’t due well with harsh correction though and a stern look will cause them to wither. Socialize them young or they can become shy around strangers. They are loyal and family oriented. They can easily become attached to their humans.
Your Kunming can reach 12 to 14 years of age if he is loved, fed correctly and adequately exercised. Just as with any dog, he can be susceptible to some of the common dog illnesses. These include the likes of hip dysplasia, bloat, epilepsy, eye problems, ear infections, intestinal parasites, heart disease and skin problems.
Worms are a chronic problem in dogs and the thing is, they can infect humans too. If you don’t treat worms in your dog, it can lead to your pet becoming seriously ill. You may notice loss of appetite, a dull, thinning coat, anemia and diarrhea.
The vet will be able to offer a treatment that can help with eradicating hook-, round- and tapeworms.
This may sound like a mild dog disease but it can cause a lot of misery for your pet. You’ll notice your pet licking, scratching and biting at raw, red spots on his skin. With bacterial- or yeast infections, your pet can battle with itchiness, pain and discomfort. Luckily your vet can recommend treatments to effectively alleviate symptoms.
The breed is a hardy one and Brittanys are mostly healthy dogs. In Europe 1 in 5 dogs dies of old age and that age is usually 14 or 15 years. They do have a few issues that they may be susceptible to. These would include:
Grooming for the thick coat should be done regularly. The dog sheds quite a bit and seasonally and you'll want to brush him twice a week to rid the coat of those loose hairs.
The Kunming Dog is high energy and will therefore suit a family who is active and sporty. He is the kind of dog that you can include in all your activities – walks, hikes, running next to you when you go cycling and swimming.
This is an active dog and you want the best food for him, packed with vitamins and minerals to keep him lively and energetic. Instead of giving him one large meal a day that he gulps down quickly, split his food into 2 smaller meals.
Your dog’s age, his breed and his energy levels will direct you as to how to feed him.
Remember, that although commercially manufactured dog foods need to comply with certain standards, it doesn't guarantee their goodness. It may not be digestible for your pet. If you want to use one of these foods, choose the best there is and try to mix in some wholesome home-made food from time to time.
Cooked chicken, brown rice or pasta and some raw or cooked vegetables can be excellent for him as well as adding in some raw meat occasionally.
Don’t overfeed your Brittany. Keep him at hunting weight by feeding a half a cup up to 2 cups per day depending on the size of your dog and activity levels. Serve this in two meals not one.
Ears – prone to infections – make sure that you check them and wipe them out routinely to prevent infections.
Hip Dysplasia – bones don’t fit well into joints – this can be genetic or otherwise, causing lameness and arthritis. If severe it can require surgery to correct.
Epilepsy – mild or serious seizures are possible. This can be genetic/hereditary but is set off by an infectious disease of the brain, head injury, poison, tumor, or metabolic disorder. There is no cure, but medication can be very effective.
Hypothyroidism – Low levels of thyroid hormone – can cause drooping eyelids, obesity, lethargy, mental difficulties or irregular heat cycles or all of this. Medication is available as it is for humans but must be taken daily for the rest of the dog’s life
Canine Discoid Lupus Erythematosus – autoimmune disease that is rare in dogs. Cats and humans can also have it. It is a skin disease and does not become the more serious and deadly Systemic Lupus. The Discoid version of this disease causes loss of pigmentation and a scaling on the nose which can then progress to the skin around the ears, eyes and genitals. There could be ulcerated lesions and tissue death in more severe cases. Sun exposure can make the condition worse.
The Brittany is a hunting dog that acts like a pointer but will retrieve fowl and birds in the water or on land. If you don’t hunt, the Brittany can still be your family dog. They need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. They need a job if they are not going to hunt and expect them to be distracted by every bird they see. Try flyball, agility, FAST CAT, field trials and dock diving. They are very task oriented and have boundless energy. They excel at obedience and confirmation as well.