35-50 lbs
17-19"
Thailand
Some dogs aren’t really suitable for first-time parents and that’s the case with the Thai Bangkaew dog — this breed’s fierce intelligence combined with stubbornness requires an experienced hand to keep them in line.
However, if you think you’re up to the task, this Spitz-type dog will be a loyal and rewarding companion for parents willing to put the time and effort into training and socialization.
In this introduction to the Thai Bangkaew dog, you’ll learn…
They’re thought to be a mix between an Asiatic Jackal and a domestic dog
The breed is considered to be pretty healthy, although eye conditions are a minor concern
This is a dog that can be wary of strangers and other dogs
A Thai Bangkaew needs up to 90 minutes of exercise a day
The Thai Bangkaew is a relatively new breed, only emerging within the last century. Outside of Thailand, they’re infrequently spotted and haven’t even had breed standards set by the American Kennel Club (AKC), though they were accepted in the Foundation Stock Service as recently as July 2023.
This Thai dog is a lot more popular in their birth country, with their propensity to be constantly alert and a little territorial making them great watchdogs — it’s these traits that also make them difficult to train. However, they can be brought into line under the authority of the right parent and make for loyal and loving companions.
Despite harking from tropical climes, the Thai Bangkaew dog sports a thick double coat and a rather majestic plume tail, both of which require grooming to keep them presentable. In addition to regular brushing, prospective parents need to ensure they can commit to exercising these energetic dogs for up to an hour and a half a day.
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The Thai Bangkeaw is one of those breeds that holds clues to its history within its name. Not only is it a Thai breed, but it’s likely to have originated from the village of Bangkaew in the Bang Rakam district of the country.
When exactly this happened is a little less clear-cut. One of the most commonly told stories traces the breed back to a local monastery. A local abbot was said to have taken in a pregnant dog that had been previously mated with an Asiatic Jackal Dog and looked after her until she gave birth to a litter of four puppies.
It’s believed that these puppies went on to breed with local herding dogs. Over the ensuing decades, the Thai Bangkaew dog began to emerge as a distinctive variety and halfway through the twentieth century, a selective breeding program was enacted to refine the breed.
The Thai Bangkaew is one of the most popular Thai dog breeds, but is a rare sight elsewhere in the world. The International Canine Federation drew up standards for the breed in 2011.
One of the defining features of the Thai Bangkaew dog is their dense, medium-length coat, complete with a soft undercoat that helps with water repellency. At one end of the dog, there’s a mane-like ruff around the neck, while there’s a plume-shaped tail on the other side.
This majestic coat comes in a range of colorways, with the most common combination being as follows: white, gray and white, red and white, black and white, white and tan, and brown and white.
The breed has a well-proportioned body with a wide, deep chest, and a muscular chest and neck. The head is square with two pointed ears carried high up on its head giving the impression of alertness.
The eyes are normally brown in color and of average size, while the jaw has a scissor bite.
The Thai Bangkaew is similar to a few other dog breeds, especially those from the Spitz family. So, if you’re considering bringing this Thai dog breed into your home, you may also be interested in:
Although the Thai Bangkaew dog’s thick coat is part of their appeal, it does require a fair amount of maintenance. Daily brushing is recommended to prevent the fur from becoming matted. This is especially important during the dog’s shedding periods.
They don’t need to be bathed frequently, as overbathing can interfere with the natural oil balance and lead to the coat developing a greasy appearance. Once every six to eight weeks is fine, however.
As a breed prone to ear infections, it’s important to check and clean their ears regularly. Parents should also stay on top of brushing their teeth and trimming their claws.
There’s another big thing that the Thai Bangkaew dog needs and that’s exercise — and lots of it. We’re talking up to 90 minutes’ activity a day and 12 miles of walking a week.
Having a home with a large yard is borderline essential if you’re planning to introduce this Thai dog into your life — trust us when we say that the last thing you’ll want is an unstimulated Thai Bangkaew dog with masses of pent-up energy.
Call it strong genes or hybrid vigor, but the Thai Bangkaew dog is generally considered to be a healthy breed with few of the genetic problems that plague other dogs.
There are two things parents need to be wary of, however. The first is Otitis Externa, which is a technical term for the infection of the outer ear. This can usually be successfully treated and averted through the practice of good ear hygiene — this means regular cleaning and drying after exercise.
Incidents of eye disease have also been noted as a minor concern in the Thai Bangkaew dog. Some of these can be fairly mild and treatable — Cataracts, for example — but others can’t be cured (e.g. Progressive Retinal Atrophy). The only thing a parent can do is to try and prevent accidents from happening by making sure their dog’s immediate living environment is safe.
If your dog does fall ill at any point in their life, it’s best to treat it as soon as possible — the regular tests and screenings included in a wellness plan are handy in catching diseases at a vitally early stage
As an especially energetic dog, the Thai Bangkaew dog has a big appetite and parents should look to satisfy this with top-quality dog food. That means high protein levels for energy and muscle growth, plus plenty of vitamins and minerals.
The breed has no specific dietary needs, but it’s best to avoid recipes that have a high proportion of carbohydrates or filler ingredients — these increase the risk of your dog putting on weight.
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We won’t sugarcoat it — the Thai Bangkaew can be a challenging breed. Not only can they be suspicious of strangers and other dogs, but this Thai dog can be stubborn when it comes to learning commands.
However, parents with a bit of canine experience and a wealth of patience will be able to tame a Thai Bangkaew dog. After a successful socialization period, some of the breed’s more positive attributes will shine through — this includes loyalty, intelligence and playfulness. Their constant alertness is prized by some parents who want a watchdog; it’s a breed that sees its role as protecting its family.
While it can thrive in families, the Thai Bangkaew tends to fare better with older children rather than young or small ones, to avoid cases of aggression.
Written by Joe Holyoake
Published: 08/30/2006, edited: 02/21/2024
More articles by Joe Holyoake
I have a pet dog. Someone told me that my dog is a Thailand Bangkaew Dog breed. I just want to confirm. I have photos, but I'll attach it when you reply to this in my email. Thank you.
Two bitches from same litter. They want to kill each other, now that they’re adults. Quite literally. We work with it by keeping them apart and they each have their own dog mate. So we have two pairs of dogs. They’re all de-sexed. We’ve learned to live with it and they all have good healthy happy lives. But wow it would be lovely to have all four getting along.
I am looking for a good watch dog as well as a good loving pet very protective of its home for east by south east thailand. Ubon Ratchathani Thailand
