Kanni vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Kanni is originated from India but Hawaiian Poi Dog is originated from Indonesia. Kanni may grow 29 cm / 12 inches higher than Hawaiian Poi Dog. Kanni may weigh 7 kg / 16 pounds more than Hawaiian Poi Dog. Kanni may live 8 years more than Hawaiian Poi Dog. Kanni may have more litter size than Hawaiian Poi Dog. Both Kanni and Hawaiian Poi Dog requires Low maintenance.

History

kanni - historyThe Kanni dog is a rare South Indian Sighthound. It is also known as the Maiden's Beastmaster and this is because it is known to be protector and defender of its owner's property.

During ancient times, the dog was used for hunting but today it is essentially kept as a pet and it is registered with the Kennel Club of India.

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.

Description

kanni puppy - descriptionThese dogs are tall, slim and deep chested, coming in two-color combinations, but it is the black and tan variety that is the true Kanni. There is also a cream variety. There are other color variations and each color has a unique name connected to it. The coat of the Kanni is short and smooth.

They are medium sized dogs standing at 62 to 67cm at the withers and weighing in the region of 18 – 22kg. When you first look at these dogs you might think of them as being similar to a Greyhound in looks. This is also because of their lean, muscular looks.

The eyes are a golden color, the nose black and the ears are a medium size and floppy with the long tail being semi-curved.

Temperament:

The Kanni has always been a hunting dog so he is used to being sharp, strong-willed, independent and alert as well as having some aggressive tendencies. It is also quite a reserved dog but he shows love and loyalty to his owner. He is independent and easy to train. It is a good thing to have him trained and socialized so that he is obedient to the simple commands you give him.

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.

Characteristics

kanni dog - characteristicsThe Kanni looks much like your regular Doberman Pinscher but he has long tail and floppy ears. He is slim and agile but also powerful being able to have bursts of speed. It is why he requires a large place to run and play in, being better suited to a home with a large garden or farm.

He is a playful, quiet dog but he has quite a bark on him and is known to be a good watchdog because of this. He is a protective dog too, devoted and loyal and making a splendid family pet.

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.

Health Problems

kanni puppies - health problemsNot much is known about inherited health problems in this breed, and he can live up to a ripe old age of 16. It seems a pretty healthy dog, but still it helps to be aware of some of the more common dog illnesses that your pet can succumb to.

For first time dog owners it can be difficult knowing what health problems our beloved pets could suffer from. Every dog breed has certain diseases to which they are more prone to, but these are some common issues that most of our 4-legged friends will face -

Diarrhea:

This is a common dog health problem in India with the Kanni. There are so many things that disagree with their digestion. Most dogs may not want to eat their next meal, but when he is lethargic, he is hot and is vomiting, it is time to get your pet to the vet. This is because diarrhea causes rapid dehydration in dogs. To avoid diarrhea, steer clear of certain foods such as milk and dairy products as well as old, spoiled fatty foods. With diarrhea your dog must always have access to fresh, cool water.

Ear Infections:

This is a common dog disease, and ear infections can be painful and frustrating for your pet. He’ll scratch at his ear, shake his head and the inside of the ear may be red with a discharge. Check his ears for redness and try to keep them free from wax build up and dust.

Cleaning the ear is quite simple, and if you’re not sure how, the vet can do it quickly and effectively. Usually some dog ear cleaning solution on some cotton wool can do the trick. Ear infections are common in dogs like the Kanni with floppy ears.

Ticks and Fleas:

It is essential to control fleas on your dog from word go. Fleas thrive in warm temperature and humidity and your pet will scratch, bite and lick at the spot. When you brush your pet, look through his fur for fleas and tell you vet about it if you discover ticks and fleas. A topical ointment could nip the problem in the bud. You may want to consider a flea collar for your pet.

Worms:

Tapeworms, hookworms and roundworms for instance are commonly found in dogs, and even for healthy dogs, deworming tablets should be given from time to time. If your dog has worms, you’ll notice lethargy, loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. It may be time to get your pet to the vet.

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.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

kanni dogs - caringThe Kanni is a low maintenance dog with his short coat. You can give him a good brush twice a week, check that his nails don't grow too long and also check his ears inside and out. Ticks and fleas are rife in hot weather and you want to give your dog a thorough check for these. You should also be checking your dog's teeth and brushing them 2 or 3 times a week. Dental problems can cause havoc with your dog's health.

Exercise:

As a hunting breed, the Kanni is used to running so his needs for a good amount of exercise are quite high. While they do make good family pets, they hanker after wide open spaces and being busy. If you own one of these dogs, make sure that you exercise him often because otherwise he becomes frustrated and unhappy.

This dog has always been used to village life where he is free to roam wide open spaces. He is much more suited to country life than to city life, and as a pet, you will need to ensure that he receives a good amount of exercise.

Take him for walks, and if he's been socialized and trained, take him to the park and allow him off his leash to run.

Diet:

The dog has always been fed traditional food such as porridge and milk but we know better now that dogs need protein too as well as a diet rich in vitamins and minerals to ensure his health.

You can feed him a top quality commercially manufactured dog food and add in some cooked chicken, rice and vegetables from time to time. It is expensive, but if you can, try and add in some raw meat occasionally as well. Your Kanni dog must always have access to fresh, clean water.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Companion dog
Origin:
India
Indonesia
Height Male:
62 - 67 cm
24 - 27 inches
36 - 38 cm
14 - 15 inches
Height Female:
62 - 67 cm
24 - 27 inches
34 - 36 cm
13 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 22 kg
39 - 49 pounds
7 - 15 kg
15 - 34 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 22 kg
39 - 49 pounds
6 - 13 kg
13 - 29 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 16 Years
5 - 8 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
3 - 5
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Maiden's Beastmaster
Native Hawaiian Dog, and Hawaiian Islanders’ Dog., Poi Dog, Ilio, Hawaiian Dog
Colors Available:
Black and tan, cream
any color with white markings, brown mostly
Coat:
Short and smooth
short and fine
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Playful, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Hard
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pharaoh Hound vs Kanni - Breed Comparison
  2. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Kanni - Breed Comparison
  3. Hungarian Vizsla vs Kanni - Breed Comparison
  4. Redbone Coonhound vs Kanni - Breed Comparison
  5. Norwegian Elkhound vs Kanni - Breed Comparison
  6. Santal Hound vs Kanni - Breed Comparison
  7. Podenco Canario vs Kanni - Breed Comparison
  8. Podenco Andaluz vs Kanni - Breed Comparison
  9. Podenco Galego vs Kanni - Breed Comparison
  10. Kanni vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  11. Kanni vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  12. Kanni vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  13. Kanni vs Bluetick Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  14. Kanni vs Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  15. Kanni vs Bavarian Mountain Hound - Breed Comparison
  16. Kanni vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  17. Kanni vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Kanni vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  19. Kanni vs Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie - Breed Comparison
  20. Kanni vs Alpine Dachsbracke - Breed Comparison
  21. Kanni vs Basset Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  22. Kanni vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  23. Kanni vs Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  24. Kanni vs Chippiparai - Breed Comparison
  25. Kanni vs English Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  26. Mal-Shi vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Malti-Pom vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. PekePoo vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Schipperke vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Schweenie vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  31. Lhasapoo vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  32. Meliteo Kinidio vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  34. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Alaskan Klee Kai - Breed Comparison
  35. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  36. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  37. Hawaiian Poi Dog vs Fruggle - Breed Comparison
  38. Prazsky Krysarik vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  39. Pugalier vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  40. Kyi-Leo vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  41. Tsvetnaya Bolonka vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  42. Muggin vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  43. Pomeranian vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Maltese vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  45. Pug vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  46. Maltipoo vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Miniature Schnauzer vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  48. Papillon vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  49. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds