Mixed is originated from United States but Kuri is originated from French Polynesia. Mixed may grow 64 cm / 26 inches higher than Kuri. Mixed may weigh 97 kg / 214 pounds more than Kuri. Mixed may live 6 years more than Kuri. Mixed may have more litter size than Kuri. Mixed requires Moderate maintenance. But Kuri requires Low maintenance
Many people are inclined to think that mixed breed or cross-breed dogs, also known as mutts or mongrels or designer dogs are just pavement specials. They think they look nothing much better than junkyard mutts.
This may be so, but not always, and these mixed breed dogs always seem to have hearts of gold. A Mixed breed is a dog that has parent’s who aren’t registered and who come from different breeds. In other words the parents aren’t of the same breed.
Guessing a cross breed’s ancestry can be difficult as these mixed-breeds have more genetic variation than pure breeds. They've been around since ancient times. The dogs originate in different countries and they all have different coats, different sizes and different temperaments.
It is sad but true – there are literally millions of mixed dogs worldwide, some of which never know what it is to live with- and be lovingly cared for by a human being.
Kurī, also known as Guri or Peroor New Zealand Native Dog, is the Maori name for this dog which was introduced to New Zealand by the Maoris when they migrated from East Polynesia around 1280 AD.
They were in fact Polynesian dogs which died out in New Zealand. The Māoris would use the dog as a food source and the skins would be used to make some form of clothing. The bones were used to make items such as necklaces and fish hooks.
Not surprising then that the dog became extinct in New Zealand, with the last known Kuri specimens being found in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
Sometimes Mixed dog breeds come about from two dogs meeting on the streets and mating or it could be two pure-breeds accidentally mating, resulting in a mixed breed.
The mixed breed dog puppy could inherit looks from just the one purebred parent so that he grows up looking like a pure-breed. With a cross breed the standard for breeding isn’t the same for purebreds where the appearance and temperament is more or less the same.
A mixed breed dog doesn’t have these standards to conform to and they are as varied and unique as the colors in the rainbow. It’s not possible to know what a mixed breed dog’s puppies will look like. A typical example of a mixed breed is a Labradoodle. People love the temperament of the Labrador but they want the low shedding qualities of the Poodle as well.
Mixed breed dogs can be small or large and that means different litter sizes. If you don’t want your Mixed dog breed becoming a parent, you can spay or neuter your dog.
There are many people who avoid choosing a ridiculously high priced pure breed puppy and they prefer to choose a mixed breed. This is partly because these mixed breed dogs are healthy, resilient and nearly always a good match for you and your family.
The Kuri is extinct now but it was a small to medium sized dog with a thick set neck. He stood between 25 and 46cm and weighed about 13 to 15 kilograms.
He had thick medium-length rough textured hair, small head, erect ears, short legs and a bushy tail. The color of their weatherproof coats varied and some were black, some white or cream and some were a mix of colors and patterns.
An interesting feature about them is that they didn’t bark but instead they howled. They were good at hunting birds.
The Kuri wasn’t considered the brightest breed, but he would have benefited from some training and socialization as this just makes a dog a better pet in every sense – more obedient and better behaved in all situations.
Some Kuris were friendly and able to bond with their human owners, while others were independent and somewhat aloof. Their size would have allowed them to be kept in the city or the country as they weren’t particularly energetic dogs, not requiring much ground to run around in.
Doesn’t matter what your Mixed breed dog looks like – he is a unique individual and you can never really predict what kind of a character he will turn out to be.
He might inherit a bit of placid behavior from one parent and a bit of clownish behavior from the other. It’s what makes them so special.
Ask most dog lovers who have owned a mixed breed and you will usually hear them say that they wouldn’t trade their amazing loyal and devoted pet for all the money in the world.
It appears as though some Kuris were kept as pets and that they were able to develop loving relationships with their owners.
We don’t know too much about the extinct Kuri, but scientists are now studying and analyzing the hairs of the dog to find out more about it, and specifically why the Maori dog disappeared some time in the 19th century without a trace.
They will also be analyzing Kuri bones salvaged by archaeologists and which were found on rubbish heaps. These bones can be tested to see whether the diet of the Kuri changed much between the days of Maori settlements and the arrival of the European settlers.
All dogs, whether pure breeds or mixed breeds, need to be excellently cared for. When you consider the unconditional love your dog gives you, you want to ensure that you’re kind and loving towards him.
Every dog can be prone to common dog illnesses and there are some genetic predispositions for dogs with certain breeds within them.
All dogs can battle with problem teeth, but it appears to be more rife with smaller dogs. Dental disease starts with tartar build-up and when it isn’t removed from the teeth it progresses towards infection of the gums and teeth.
What you need to know is that not caring for the teeth can mean your pet losing his teeth but also putting your dog in danger of joint disease and problems with the kidneys and heart.
Obesity is a huge factor in small- and large dogs and can pave the way for other diseases with your pet. Being obese can shorten the life of your pet because it contributes to heart disease, digestive disorders, back pain and joint problems.
Fleas, ticks, mites and worms can play havoc with the health of your pet. Some of these parasites can then be transmitted from your pet to you. Parasites can cause pain, weight loss and even death for your pet so it is important to be vigilant in these matters.
Bloat, when the stomach twists and fills with gas as well as cancer and heart disease are just some of the more common diseases to look out for.
Some Kuri dogs scavenged while others were pets and ate well. The lifestyle they led would have determined their health. In those days they would have suffered with dental disease, common in adult dogs. Left untreated, dental disease can lead to dental tartar buildup with gum inflammation and tooth loss.
Dental disease can also lead to other organ diseases. These days brushing your dog’s teeth with canine toothpaste and toothbrush can help to ward off dental disease.
Those Kuris that weren’t pets, tried to survive scavenging, and their homeless situation could well have led to ear infections – caused from a wax- and dirt buildup within the ear. He would have been frantic trying to scratch his ears. In modern times, if your dog showed signs of an ear infection, you would need to get him to the vet.
Good nutritious food, exercise, grooming, a dry place to sleep, taking your pet to the vet when he is sick as well as plenty of love and attention will ensure your Mixed dog breed’s health and happiness.
Keep die diet of your pet simple and consistent to avoid digestive problems. Quality commercially manufactured food is a good choice. Boiled chicken, brown rice and cooked or raw vegetables will be excellent added into your dog’s kibble from time to time. Add in some raw meat occasionally as it is good for warding off skin diseases.
Exercise your pet regularly, but don’t overdo it with young dogs as it can lead to joint problems later on in life.
The Kuri will have required regular grooming which means a brushing down twice a week. Brushing would have been useful to prevent loose hairs from shedding with the dog. He would have had to have his ears and eyes checked too to avoid infections. Brushing him would have given his owner the chance to check him over for fleas and ticks too.
As the Kuri wasn’t an overly energetic dog, a walk a day would have kept him content and fit.
The Kuri was a dog that essentially formed part of someone else’s diet. Those that managed to escape being a meal for someone no doubt had to scavenge for food. Because they were used to help people catch birds, they themselves were used to catching birds for themselves.
As a small to medium sized dog, if you were to keep such a dog as a pet you would have given him a cup or two of dried kibble a day and tried to vary his diet by including some home-cooked food and raw meat.