Kunming Wolfdog

The Kunming Wolfdog is a Chinese working breed developed for the military and police — German Shepherd in outline, with a documented programme behind it.

History

It was created in China from the 1950s at a breeding facility near Kunming, using German Shepherds and local working dogs, for military, police and search work. Despite the name, its wolf ancestry is disputed and probably slight; the breed is best understood as a Chinese working shepherd.

Temperament

The breed is known for being alert, confident and strongly bonded to its handler, with the drive and trainability its service role demanded. It is watchful with strangers and needs a job.

Care and training

It needs substantial exercise and mental work, and structured training from puppyhood. The double coat sheds heavily and needs regular brushing.

Health

Known tendencies are those of the shepherd breeds behind it, hip and elbow dysplasia among them. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.