Yorkillon vs Kuri - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Kurī, also known as Guri or Peroor New Zealand Native Dog, is the Maori name for this dog which was introduced to New Zealand by the Maoris when they migrated from East Polynesia around 1280 AD.

They were in fact Polynesian dogs which died out in New Zealand. The Māoris would use the dog as a food source and the skins would be used to make some form of clothing. The bones were used to make items such as necklaces and fish hooks.

Not surprising then that the dog became extinct in New Zealand, with the last known Kuri specimens being found in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

The Yorkillon is a bighearted cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Papillon. They are small dogs with huge attitudes and big ears. They are known to be sassy and get into trouble. They are playful, affectionate and intelligent. They were initially developed in the US sometime about 20-30 years ago. Not recognized by the American Kennel Club as they are considered designer dogs or mixed breeds

The Kuri is extinct now but it was a small to medium sized dog with a thick set neck. He stood between 25 and 46cm and weighed about 13 to 15 kilograms.

He had thick medium-length rough textured hair, small head, erect ears, short legs and a bushy tail. The color of their weatherproof coats varied and some were black, some white or cream and some were a mix of colors and patterns.

An interesting feature about them is that they didn’t bark but instead they howled. They were good at hunting birds.

Temperament:

The Kuri wasn’t considered the brightest breed, but he would have benefited from some training and socialization as this just makes a dog a better pet in every sense – more obedient and better behaved in all situations.

Some Kuris were friendly and able to bond with their human owners, while others were independent and somewhat aloof. Their size would have allowed them to be kept in the city or the country as they weren’t particularly energetic dogs, not requiring much ground to run around in.

The Yorkillon is a small dog that can look like a Yorkie or a Papillon but most due have large ears like the Papillon. Both parent breeds have long hair and short legs. There is still a lot of first generation breeding, but most are now products of multigenerational breeding. This means that every puppy can look different and no two are likely to look the same.

It appears as though some Kuris were kept as pets and that they were able to develop loving relationships with their owners.

We don’t know too much about the extinct Kuri, but scientists are now studying and analyzing the hairs of the dog to find out more about it, and specifically why the Maori dog disappeared some time in the 19th century without a trace.

They will also be analyzing Kuri bones salvaged by archaeologists and which were found on rubbish heaps. These bones can be tested to see whether the diet of the Kuri changed much between the days of Maori settlements and the arrival of the European settlers.

1.Children friendliness yes but be careful the children do not hurt the small dogs. This is particularly true regarding the risk of tracheal collapse. 2.Special talents – loves to do tricks 3.Adaptability – can live anywhere in an apartment as well as a home, but he would prefer to have a fenced yard to run in. 4.Learning ability – extremely smart and very obedient

Dental Disease:

Some Kuri dogs scavenged while others were pets and ate well. The lifestyle they led would have determined their health. In those days they would have suffered with dental disease, common in adult dogs. Left untreated, dental disease can lead to dental tartar buildup with gum inflammation and tooth loss.

Dental disease can also lead to other organ diseases. These days brushing your dog’s teeth with canine toothpaste and toothbrush can help to ward off dental disease.

Ear infections:

Those Kuris that weren’t pets, tried to survive scavenging, and their homeless situation could well have led to ear infections – caused from a wax- and dirt buildup within the ear. He would have been frantic trying to scratch his ears. In modern times, if your dog showed signs of an ear infection, you would need to get him to the vet.

There are not a lot of hereditary health issues but there are some issues they can be prone to: • Patellar Luxation – slipped knee caps can lead to lameness. • Epilepsy – can be treated with medication. • Diabetes – can be treated with medication • Legg Calve Perthes Disease – blood disorder affecting hind leg bones. • Heart defects • Tracheal collapse • Hip dysplasia – can cause lameness.

Grooming:

The Kuri will have required regular grooming which means a brushing down twice a week. Brushing would have been useful to prevent loose hairs from shedding with the dog. He would have had to have his ears and eyes checked too to avoid infections. Brushing him would have given his owner the chance to check him over for fleas and ticks too.

Exercise:

As the Kuri wasn’t an overly energetic dog, a walk a day would have kept him content and fit.

Diet:

The Kuri was a dog that essentially formed part of someone else’s diet. Those that managed to escape being a meal for someone no doubt had to scavenge for food. Because they were used to help people catch birds, they themselves were used to catching birds for themselves.

As a small to medium sized dog, if you were to keep such a dog as a pet you would have given him a cup or two of dried kibble a day and tried to vary his diet by including some home-cooked food and raw meat.

1.Feeding the puppy Feed a high quality toy puppy food 3-4 meals per day a total of ¼ cup for the day. 2.Feeding the adult Feed a high quality toy puppy food 1-2 meals per day a total of ½ cup for the day. 3.Points for Good Health – No inherited issues. 4. Games and Exercises – These are high energy dogs as both parent breeds are such. They need to run, love having a fenced yard, 15-20 minute walks per day.