Telomian vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Hawaiian Poi Dog is originated from Indonesia but Telomian is originated from Malaysia. Hawaiian Poi Dog may grow 10 cm / 3 inches shorter than Telomian. Both Hawaiian Poi Dog and Telomian are having almost same weight. Hawaiian Poi Dog may live 6 years less than Telomian. Hawaiian Poi Dog may have less litter size than Telomian. Hawaiian Poi Dog requires Low Maintenance. But Telomian requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Working dog
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Indonesia
Malaysia
Height Male:
36 - 38 cm
14 - 15 inches
38 - 48 cm
14 - 19 inches
Height Female:
34 - 36 cm
13 - 15 inches
28 - 38 cm
11 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
7 - 15 kg
15 - 34 pounds
8 - 13 kg
17 - 29 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 13 kg
13 - 29 pounds
6 - 11 kg
13 - 25 pounds
Life Span:
5 - 8 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
5 - 8
Size:
Small
Small
Other Names:
Native Hawaiian Dog, and Hawaiian Islanders’ Dog., Poi Dog, Ilio, Hawaiian Dog
Telo ,, Anjing Kampung, Village dog
Colors Available:
any color with white markings, brown mostly
tan & white and black & white, shade of sable with white black mask.
Coat:
short and fine
Short, smooth
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Playful, Stubborn
Alert, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Protective, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

The Hawaiian Poi Dog was a descendent of the dogs brought to the Islands by the Polynesian. These Polynesian dogs were themselves descendants of the kuri dog of New Zealand. These kuri dogs were originally from Indonesia. The Hawaiian Poi dog is now extinct but at one time was considered the spiritual protector of Hawaiian children and also used as food by hungry Native Hawaiians.

The dog was called poi which was the word for a food staple mad from the root of Taro and used to put weight on the dogs before they were eaten. Meat was not fed to the dogs because it was too scarce. There was no large mammals to hunt and so the breed was never given a standard. The Poi dog seen by European explorers were short legged, pot bellied canines that lived with the hogs in the towns. Because of what they ate, the dogs were not highly intelligent but were stubborn and hard to train. Because the dogs were not suited for much beyond food and a spiritual charm, they became extinct when the traditional religion was no longer practiced and eating dogs was no longer acceptable. The breed pretty much disappeared by the early 20th century. Very few images of the dogs remain except for ancient petroglyphs.

There was an attempt by the Honolulu Zoo in the late 1960’s to redevelop the breed using local dogs to determine a standard. Then the local dogs were bred as close to the standard as possible. In the third generation one dog was born with the traits of a Poi dog. There was not much more success with this and then the Polynesian ship travel between Tahiti and Hawaii was recreated and a dog taken along.

Today’s mixed breed dogs in Hawaii are called Poi dogs but also have the stubbornness, unique appearance and ability to eat anything it is given like the original Poi. The dogs are small, and should not be confused with the original Poi dogs.

telomianThe Telomian, out of Malaysia is rare and the only dog bred in Malaysia that lives outside the country. The breed was originally called Village dog or Anjing Kampung in Malay. The Telo is still considered one of the rarest dogs in the world. They are considered as a possible missing link between the Australian Dingo and the African Basenji.

They were bred to kill vermin by indigenous people, the Orang Asli of Malasia. They have an amazing ability to climb bred into them because these indigenous people lived in stilt houses. Even as they kept the Theomian to hunt vermian, the Orang Asli believed dogs were evil spirits who would eventually turn on them.

In 1963, Dr. Orville Elliot, an anthropologist from the West, discovered the breed and named them the Telomian for the Telom River they lived near. He took a pair to the United States and by 1970 there was a Telomian Dog Club in the U.S. By 1973 another pair had been imported and it is thought that all the Telomians who live in the United States today are descendants of these two pairs.

Like the New Guinea Singing Dog and the Basenji, the Telo do not bark but rather have a unique howl. Being bred from wild dogs, the Telo is not fully domesticate and puppies need a lot of socialization. The Telomian is on the Dog Registry of America Inc and America’s Pet Registry but is not recognized by any pedigree registry.

Description

As previously mentioned the Poi dog is somewhat unusual in size and shape due to what they ate. They looked somewhat like the native dogs of Polynesia and New Zealand. They have short legs, long bodies, somewhat obese and a very flat head. He had a short smooth coat, in any color or any pattern. They were however mostly brown and they might or might not have white markings.

telomian puppy - descriptionThis is a somewhat unique looking breed. They are small dogs, sturdy, athletic dogs with short coat, a square body and a long back. Their coat is smooth and sable and the ticking is white. They often have black masks and purple tongues. They are about 15-18 inches in height and weigh about 18-28 pounds. Their head is well proportioned and they have erect ears, almond shaped eyes and deep chests.

The Telo is still so undomesticated that the female only comes into estrus once a year in September to October. They have great command of their paws and can use them more like cats or racoons. They climb with them and hold toys, objects or food in them. This is related to their need to climb since homes were built on stilts in the jungles of Malaysia.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

The Hawaiian Poi dog was very friendly and good with children

Special talents

The Poi was considered a good luck charm and a spiritual protector of children

Adaptability

Given what they faced in life, the Poi dog was very adaptable, living anywhere on the islands and eating anything it could find.

Learning ability

Due to their poor diet, the Hawaiian Poi dog was seriously lacking in intelligence and learning ability.

1Childrn friendliness - yes but high energy

telomian dog - characteristics2.Special talents – climbing ability, use of their paws, able to hunt their own food.

3.Adaptability – they are not big so you would think apartment living would be ok but because of their energy and prey drive they really need a place to run.

4.Learning ability - Very intelligent, needs stimulation, and mental games

Health Problems

Probably due to its diet, the Poi dog had several problems to their health. Their poor diet led to a sluggishness both in movement and intelligence. Its development was hampered by a lack of protein. Malnutrition and serious over inbreeding caused a weakness and poor oral hygiene. Due to this lack of teeth and chewing the bones in the dogs heads became flat. The Poi had breathing issues and overall lethargy.

telomian puppies - health problemsThis is a somewhat unique looking breed. They are small dogs, sturdy, athletic dogs with short coat, a square body and a long back. Their coat is smooth and sable and the ticking is white. They often have black masks and purple tongues. They are about 15-18 inches in height and weigh about 18-28 pounds. Their head is well proportioned and they have erect ears, almond shaped eyes and deep chests.

The Telo is still so undomesticated that the female only comes into estrus once a year in September to October. They have great command of their paws and can use them more like cats or racoons. They climb with them and hold toys, objects or food in them. This is related to their need to climb since homes were built on stilts in the jungles of Malaysia.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

With meat being rare in Hawaii, none was available for the dogs. They were fed Poi – from the Taro plant roots. Puppies were fed 2-3 times a day.

Feeding the adult

The adult dog was fed once or twice a day the same as Poi puppies were fed.

Points for Good Health

The Hawaiian Poi dog basically has not good health points.

Games and Exercises

The Poi dog did not need and did not get much exercise, leading to its demise.

telomian dogs - caringThis is an isolated, rare breed with very few known genetic health issues. They tend to be very healthy and athletic if well cared for and fed properly. The only issues they are known to have throughout the breed are hip and elbow dysplasia. Both of these issues we know can lead to arthritis and or lameness. Individual dogs may face other challenges such as allergies and obesity, but as a breed they are extremely healthy, much as the dingo and other wild dogs remain healthy.

Don’t overfeed them and watch what they might eat or try to eat when outside. They are used to feeding themselves in the wild and the domesticated dogs retain that prey drive and desire to eat what they catch.

Comparison with other breeds

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  26. Telomian vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Telomian vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Telomian vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Telomian vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Telomian vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Telomian vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Telomian vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Telomian vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Telomian vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Telomian vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Telomian vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Telomian vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Telomian vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Telomian vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Telomian vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Telomian vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Telomian vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Telomian vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Telomian vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Telomian vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Telomian vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Telomian vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Telomian vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Telomian vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Telomian vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison