The Kintamani dog, also known as “anjing Kintamani” in Indonesian, hails from Bali, an island off the coast of Indonesia. The Kintamani dog breed holds the distinct privilege of being Bali’s only official breed, a favorite among locals and dog owners from other areas of the country.
Other Names include:
- Kintamani-Bali Dog
- Balinese Kintamani
- Balinese Mountain Dog,
- Balinese Dog
- Kinta
The Kintamani dog was officially recognized by the FCI (“Fédération Cynologique Internationale,” which means “International Canine Federation” when translated into English) as recently as 2019.
Kintamani is one of 9 legislative regions within the aisle’s confines, specifically the section the dog is known to have originated- hence the name.
Kintamani-Bali Dog Breed History
Imk0278 at English Wikipedia [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Due to the benefits of genetic research, researchers have found that the breed is a product of local Bali street dogs, whose direct origin is shared with the Australian Dingo and, more distantly, with breeds of Asian origin.
Since Bali is an Island, dogs in Bali have gone largely isolated from being mixed with other dogs over the 3,000 years they’ve been known to occupy the area.
Moreover, Bali banned introducing new breeds to the island in the early 1900s to prevent the spread of rabies, further preventing a thinning of the street dog lineage.
Kintamani Dog Size
When taking the Kintamani dog’s size and weight into consideration, what must be understood is that this is still considered a mixed breed by all but one kennel club. Some of the characteristics of a mixed breed are greater variations in both weight and height.
Though parentage can help determine how large a puppy might grow as an adult, there’s no sure thing. So, if you notice a decent weight and height variance, this is why.
Note: The International Canine Federation has documentation that lists the characteristics of the canine breed, including average heights and weights and preferred heights and weights found here.
Height
An average Kintamanis can grow to stand anywhere between 17″ and -22″ at the shoulder as an adult. Most would consider this to be a small to medium-sized spitz dog.
Here is a rule of thumb to go by when most formal kennel clubs have no recognition or standards for any breed considered to be “mixed” – if a dog is under 2 feet tall, it’s viewed as a medium-sized dog, and the Balinese K9 falls under this category.
Weight
On average, this dog weighs between 28 to 39 pounds, and this is a healthy dog that needs a lot of exercise.
Because of their moderate to high energy levels and requirements for exercise to expel some of this energy, obesity is rarely an issue with this dog. More often than not, their weight is in good proportion with their overall height and length.
Kintamani Dog’s Coat Type and Color
Coat Type
The Kintamani breed has a harsh double coat with medium to long lengthed fur. Under normal conditions, their fur doesn’t require much maintenance and is relatively easy to take care of.
However, they blow their coats twice yearly, so be prepared to brush and clean up during these periods. They are cleaner dogs than others, requiring a bath every month and a half.
Colors
This breed comes in a variety of colors. The most common color is white, black, beige, black and fawn, and brindle.
The Lifespan of the Bali Dog
Fortunately for the Kintamanis, they have a history of having great and healthy genetics. Because of this, they stay in good shape throughout their adult years and into their twilight years.
This native Indonesian dog breed can live up to 14 years old. Though this is an extremely healthy breed, regular vet visits and checkups should be maintained regardless to ensure you get the best health and longest life expectancy for the dog.
Kintamani Dog Temperament
The FCI calls them “watchful, intelligent, alert, gentle, loyal, and easy to train.” That being said, this Indonesian watchdog is still a newly recognized canine. Despite their long history on the island of Bali, little is known about their temperament toward people who reside outside of this region of Indonesia.
How Do You Train a Kintamani Dog?
The Kinta is relatively easy to train due to its intelligence. The only thing that you’d have to contend with is their high energy.
If their high energy levels are considered and worked with in a manner that would complement their training, it will be much easier. They require a lot of daily activities, which should point toward their training throughout their early months and years.
Alternatively, you can give the dog plenty of exercises to burn off that energy and have an easier time training the dog when it’s calmer and more able to focus. Owners still require patience, though- they tend to become distractable.
How Much Does a Kintamani Dog Cost?
Like every pup, puppy pricing will differ from breeder to breeder. This particular dog is rather difficult to find outside Bali, making it rare and expensive but not ridiculously so.
When bought from dog breeders outside Bali, a Kintamani puppy can cost anywhere between $600.00 to $1,500.00. But if you plan on moving to Bali, you can probably pick one up relatively cheaply (certainly cheaper than $1,500).
Did You Know?
- The Kintamani is a very vocal, territorial, and energetic dog and does not do well in tiny homes or apartment settings.
- The Kintamani are excellent swimmers!
- In areas of Indonesia, Kintamani dogs are trained to sniff out narcotics.
Final Thoughts:
There are so many interesting dogs out there that are rarified due to their location, and the Kintamani is one of those dogs.
But unlike others who are teetering on extinction due to their rarity or obscurity, this particular case is thriving in its homeland and surrounding areas.
They’ve not suffered from having jobs taken from them over time, leaving them high and dry like many rare endangered breeds. Ultimately, they succumbed to vibrant and welcoming family life, becoming affectionate, attractive, and loyal companions.
REFERENCES:
“Kintamani (dog).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Dec. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kintamani_(dog).
