Kunming Dog vs Bluetick Beagle - Breed Comparison

Known also as the Kunming Wolfdog, the Kunming Dog is similar in looks to the German Shepherd Dog, but the coat is recognizably shorter.

It’s an attractive looking wolf-like dog which comes from China. It isn’t quite clear which dog breeds were used in the gene pool for these Kunming wolfdogs. You can see though that the German Shepherd as well as other wolfdog-crosses have played a part in the breed's origin.

The dog was created in the early 1950s for military- and guard dog purposes. In 1988, the Chinese Public Security Bureau officially recognized the Kunming Dog as a breed. Today, the dog is still used in military and police services.

Among the hound group of dogs, there are some ancient breeds. The history of the Beagle and the Bluetick Beagle more specifically is fairly uncertain as breeds as we know them today didn't really develop until the 19th century. It was in the mid-1800s the Reverend Phillip Honeywood established Beagles in Essex, England and American breeders started importing Beagles from England to improve the looks of their own dogs. The breed was developed from a number of breeds and possibly the Bluetick Coonhound had some input into the markings of the Bluetick Beagle.

Today the American Kennel Club recognizes many colors and color combinations in Beagles. with white, tan and black being the more common color. Beagles can also sport ‘markings’ such as blue and red freckles or ticks. If there are black ticks, it can be referred to as blue-ticked.

The Kunming is a large dog, athletic and muscular, standing at 60 – 68cm and weighing 30 – 38kg. They are dogs which fall under the Spitz type category.

The dog has a coat which is considered seasonal - double layered in the cooler months and shedding to a shorter coat in the hotter months. The thick coat can be a light tan color to white and he has a black saddle pattern, giving the dog an overall black and tan combination.

The bushy tail is long and its carried down and low except when the dog is excited and alert, then it lifts its tail. The ears are erect like that of the German Shepherd or Wolf.

Temperament:

He isn’t the best breed for a first time owner as he is very strong willed and can tend to become aggressive. It is why he has been used to perform tasks in the military.

These dogs are known for their alertness, and to keep him mentally balanced and amicable, he will need a strong, firm owner who is also fair, patient and consistent. Bored and frustrated, a Kunming can become unpredictable and a first time dog owner might not be able to cope with such an independent, strong-willed, determined, confident dog.

He is also energetic and intelligent, making a great family dog as he is loyal, loving and devoted. His intelligence allows him to learn easily too. Training and socialization will be required if you want him to be obedient.

He is adaptable and can adjust to life in the city or the countryside, but essentially he is better suited to a home with large grounds as he is a dog which is full of energy.

Lean, Compact and Muscular

The Bluetick Beagle is a small sized hunting dog. As part of the Hound group of dogs, he has an excellent sense of smell. He has always been used as a hunting dog, and it is why this particular dog is a popular choice for law enforcement agencies – it’s that keen sense of smell.

He is lean and compact with muscular legs, a broad head, fairly long floppy ears and a broad chest. His coat is short-haired and smooth and its the short blue coloration in his coat sets the Bluetick Beagle apart from the regular Beagle.

Temperament

The Blue Tick Beagle can have a bit of a stubborn streak, but be that as it may, he still responds well to training and socialization. Alert, he has an amicable nature, and this is what makes this breed such a great family pet He’ll get on well with children in the house as well as with other pets.

The Blue Tick Beagle isn’t an aggressive dog breed. He is lively and playful and full of energy and will require you taking him on walks, runs in the park and lots of games at home.

He loves the companionship of his human family and can’t just be left in the back yard on his own for long periods of time. He can suffer with separation anxiety and also become bored and then he starts with long, mournful howls.

Your attractive Kunming dog is an energetic, lively dog who is going to require a good deal of exercise as he was developed to be a working dog.

They are loving towards their human families and even well behaved with other dogs in the family. He will however need socialization and training from a firm, fair, consistent owner.

Provide him with a loving environment, lots of exercise, wholesome food, a warm, dry place to sleep and lots of mental and physical stimulation, and you’ll have a wonderful, contended pet and companion.

Your Blue Tick beagle is an active, cheerful dog and he makes a good companion for adult or child. He is fairly adaptable and can happily fit into a home in the city- or country. A Blue Tick Beagle doesn’t want to be left alone day after day, so think about your work commitments before you buy buy your Blue Tick and leave him alone.

Being a hound, although he is gentle and amicable, he can also be stubborn which means he will require some patient training. Because he is a scenthound, he is inclined to catch an aroma and want to go after it, so you’ll need a well fenced garden to keep him in.

Other than that when he is with you, he makes a dedicated and loving companion.

Your Kunming can reach 12 to 14 years of age if he is loved, fed correctly and adequately exercised. Just as with any dog, he can be susceptible to some of the common dog illnesses. These include the likes of hip dysplasia, bloat, epilepsy, eye problems, ear infections, intestinal parasites, heart disease and skin problems.

Intestinal worms:

Worms are a chronic problem in dogs and the thing is, they can infect humans too. If you don’t treat worms in your dog, it can lead to your pet becoming seriously ill. You may notice loss of appetite, a dull, thinning coat, anemia and diarrhea.

The vet will be able to offer a treatment that can help with eradicating hook-, round- and tapeworms.

Skin infections:

This may sound like a mild dog disease but it can cause a lot of misery for your pet. You’ll notice your pet licking, scratching and biting at raw, red spots on his skin. With bacterial- or yeast infections, your pet can battle with itchiness, pain and discomfort. Luckily your vet can recommend treatments to effectively alleviate symptoms.

Beagles are healthy dog breeds, and with good care, can enjoy an average lifespan of between 12-15 years. Like many other dogs, the Blue Tick beagle is more prone to a number of medical conditions, and more so as it ages. It is essentially a hardy breed that won’t require any particular special care, but common dog problems such as hip dysplasia and skin allergies will need to be watched.

Ear Infections

There are always some health concerns with every dog breed that every dog owner needs to be aware of. Dog with floppy ears such as what the Blue Tick Beagle has will always be prone to ear infections. The ears will need to be kept clean but you can’t just go prodding around in a dog’s ear as you could damage the ears. A visit to the veterinarian will clear up any ear problems.

Cherry Eye

This particular condition - prolapse of the gland of the nictitating membrane – is important to clear up quickly as it could lead to more serious problems. The longer the third eyelid gland is problematic, the more irritated and inflamed it becomes.

Grooming for the thick coat should be done regularly. The dog sheds quite a bit and seasonally and you'll want to brush him twice a week to rid the coat of those loose hairs.

Exercising:

The Kunming Dog is high energy and will therefore suit a family who is active and sporty. He is the kind of dog that you can include in all your activities – walks, hikes, running next to you when you go cycling and swimming.

Diet:

This is an active dog and you want the best food for him, packed with vitamins and minerals to keep him lively and energetic. Instead of giving him one large meal a day that he gulps down quickly, split his food into 2 smaller meals.

Your dog’s age, his breed and his energy levels will direct you as to how to feed him.

Remember, that although commercially manufactured dog foods need to comply with certain standards, it doesn't guarantee their goodness. It may not be digestible for your pet. If you want to use one of these foods, choose the best there is and try to mix in some wholesome home-made food from time to time.

Cooked chicken, brown rice or pasta and some raw or cooked vegetables can be excellent for him as well as adding in some raw meat occasionally.

Diet

A good, nutritious diet will help your Blue Tick Beagle steer clear of ill health. He is an energetic breed so will require either home prepared food or commercially manufactured dog food with the right mix of vitamins and minerals to keep his energy levels up.

As mentioned, your BlueTick can be prone to hip dysplasia and skin allergies so a supplement which includes omega 3 is an excellent choice for your dog’s overall health. Make sure to include some raw meat into your dog’s diet and always ensure a constant supply of fresh water.

Grooming

Your Bluetick Beagle isn’t a huge shedder with his short-haired coat, but he will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep his coat in tip-top condition and to remove all those loose hairs. Bathing a dog is never encouraged as it removes the dogs natural oils, but of course there are always exceptions when a dog will require a bath.