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I first saw
individuals of this breed while judging in Surabari about 12 years
ago, our good friend John Lo showed us two red and white particolour
dogs of spitz type and told us this was the second Thai breed although
not recognised at that time. Since that time the breed has gone
forward with serious dog people taking an interest in this breed and
breeding has flourished and type has become more even! I first judged
Thai Bankaew in Bangkok four years ago and had an entry of 31, the
breed was not recognised but they organised club shows in conjunction
with all breed shows, I found the breed most interesting and while it
reminds me a little of a Icelandic Sheepdogs and Norrbotten Spitz but
being in between both breeds I found that there was no doubt that this
was definitely a “new breed” and not the whims of breeders wanting to
create a new breed! One thing that bothered me a little was that many
were so reserved and would snap just like the Thai Ridgebacks did in
the early days but I am most happy to report that this is NOT the case
now and with the correct socialising the Thai Bankaew is a most
friendly and alert breed and is devoted to its family but also has an
incredible memory for people that it has met and if liked the dogs
shows immediately that “this is a long lost friend”
Why have we
(Paul) added this breed to our website you ask? Well, Paul is
fascinated with this breed, just like he is with the Thai Ridgebacks
and hopefully as soon as the FCI recognise this breed you will see
some at Tintavon and with our friends and we can introduce European
dog fanciers to this charming breed!
The breed
originated in the village of Bankaew in the province of Pitsanoluk,
which is roughly between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The local abbot owned
a black and white bitch and this mated itself to a now extinct wild
dog and so the Bankaew breed started but it was not until 1957 that
selective breeding was started. In the province of Pitsanoluk the
breed is regarded as a local treasure and all over Thailand the breed
is becoming popular and treated with the highest respect and love.
I had the
great honour and privilege to be the first non-Asian judge to judge
the breed at the championship specialty held at the Rose Garden in
conjunction with the Thai KC International show on December 20th
2008. This show was extra prestigious as the “kings trophies” were
awarded to best dog and bitch and as anyone who is acquainted with
Thailand will know that the Royal family especially the beloved king
is held in the highest esteem, so it was trophies that every breeder
or owner wanted to win! I learned afterwards that my BOB was bred and
owned by a breeder from Pitsanoluk, so this was very fitting!
I had the
wonderful opportunity to visit breeders in Pitsanoluk after the show
and to visit the temple in Bankaew where to my thrill and amazement I
saw a statue of the monk with a Thai Bankaew painted on the wall
behind. This was a fantastic moment for me as being involved with
Tibetan breeds we have the enormous country of Tibet as the place of
origin but here I was standing in a little village which is the place
of origin for a breed! I was lucky to visit five breeders and see all
there dogs and lots of puppies all of which had wonderful temperaments
and oh, so cute! Fluffy little things with dark eyes and so
inquisitive and not in the slightest afraid of “farang” (foreigners)
Enjoy the
photos below and if you have any questions about this lovely breed
please do not hesitate to contact us! Remember that nearly all of
Thai Bankaew are NOT kept in air conditioned kennels like the majority
of show dogs in Thailand and this is why some are a little short of
coat or furnishings! |
