Kaikadi vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Indian Spitz is a working dog and has always been used for hunting and tracking small game. It is a popular dog breed in India.

There isn't too much information on the exact origin of the dog but dog experts tell us the dogs have descended from different Spitz breeds and wild wolves, and that they date back thousands of years.

People often mix them up with the Pomeranian, but they're different, being introduced in India by the British. The British began breeding them from a stock of German Spitz's and years of breeding produced the ideal dog type which could cope with the tempestuous weather conditions in India.

They aren't recognized by any major kennel clubs but the Kennel Club of India is working to establish the Indian Spitz as a separate breed.

The Kaikadi or Kai Kadi is a terrier dog, hailing from India. Not much is available on the history of the dog, but today you won't easily find original Kai Kadi in India. This is because they have essentially been mixed with stray dogs of India as well as Pariah.

It is for this reason that the dog isn't recognized as a standardized breed by any of the leading kennel clubs.

The Indian Spitz is an attractive, fluffy looking dog breed thought to have been domesticated thousands of years ago.

The dog comes in two sizes – the smaller- and larger size. The Smaller Indian Spitz stands at between 20 - 25 cm and weighs between 5 – 7kg while the Greater Indian Spitz stands at 35-45cm and weighs between 12 – 20kg.

The dog has a long-haired coat, with the hair on the head being shorter than the rest of the body. The color of the coat can be white, brown or black and white.

Temperament:

The Indian Spitz is an easy-going dog which adapts to all kinds of living conditions in India. They therefore adapt easily to life in the city or in the countryside.

The Indian Spitz is a social, friendly dog who is loyal towards his human family, showing his joy at being with them with high-pitched barking. He gets on well with children in the home and because he isn't aggressive, he gets on well with pets in the home too.

He is intelligent which means that he is able to be trained and socialized, turning him into an obedient pet who takes his job as guardian and protector seriously.

These dog have always been used for hunting, guarding and herding in India and today he makes a good watchdog, watching over his human family.

It's not a large dog though and he stands at roughly 35 to 45cm in height and weighs 17 to 21kg. He is lean and muscular, looking similar to the Italian Greyhound or Whippet.

He has a short smooth coat and the color can be patterned white, tan and black. The head is long and thin, as are the legs, and his tail is long and thin too. The floppy ears stand erect when alert.

Temperament:

The Kaikadi is an affectionate, alert, energetic dog. He won't do well in a city environment with a tiny garden as he requires a large garden to run in.

He is a dog that will need to be trained and socialized if you want him to be obedient and to get on well with children in the home as well as pets.

He can be a fairly quiet, docile dog inside but outside when there is a game to be had, he becomes lively and animated. They are quite sensitive, so while they get on well with children in the home, he won’t respond well to large families with lots of rowdy, undisciplined children as it makes him anxious.

Playful, feisty, intelligent, loving and loyal, the Indian Spitz is full of character and just loves being in a loving family home.

Easy to train, he becomes a wonderfully obedient canine friend who loves nothing more than to spend time with you, especially when it is outdoors going for a walk or playing ball.

He is an entertaining little dog too, and anyone wishing to buy a dog like this won't regret it as he brings in a joyful dimension to any home.

Your Kai Kadi loves running and playing outside, after all he has always been a hunting dog. He will love to spend time with you outside playing.

The Kaikadi is a low maintenance dog too. Provide your Kaikadi with everything that makes a dog happy and in exchange you’ll get yourself a loyal, loving pet who wants to be your friend.

These feisty little dogs can reach 14 years of age if looked after well.

Your Indian Spitz will need to see a vet when he is 6 weeks of age for his first vaccinations and also whenever he is sick.

He is a dog breed that doesn't get sick very easily, but still it is wise to know about some of the more common dog diseases that could plague your little pet, and these are among others, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cancer and vision- and dental problems.

Dental Disease:

It is important to be keeping an eye on your dog's oral health. Infected teeth can have a bad impact on his health and can actually contribute to heart- and kidney disease for instance.

One of the major causes of dental disease in dogs is none other than diet. Always try to feed your pet the best quality food there is. Certainly if you feel your pet isn't getting the best food, try a probiotic supplement as this can create a healthy bacterial environment in your dog’s mouth.

Check your pet's mouth regularly so you can attend to any dental problem before it gets out of hand.

When you’ve got a Kai Kadi, make sure you understand some of the health risks that come along. This is a healthy dog breed so you’re not likely to have much going wrong with him, but you need to know that he can get sick and then you need to have the name of a good vet for medical treatment -

Hypoglycemia:

A sudden drop in blood sugar, which is many times brought on by stress, can make your dog lethargic and even have slight tremors in the face. It could be a hypoglycemic attack. See the vet immediately.

Pancreatitis:

The pancreatitis can become inflamed and your dog could be vomiting, have diarrhea and have abdominal pain. There are quite a few things that can cause pancreatitis such as obesity, infection as well as stress.

Diet:

These dogs have been used to a diet of milk and rice, but if possible it can be beneficial to the dog to include some cooked chicken and vegetables too. Raw meat is also important, but it is expensive, so just adding it in from time to time can still be beneficial. Water which is cool and clean should be available to the dog day and night, non-stop.

Grooming:

Your Spitz dog will simply require a brush twice a week to keep it clean and vibrant and free from loose hairs. While brushing him, make a point of checking him for fleas and ticks as well.

Exercise:

This is a busy little dog that wants to involved in everything you're busy with. He will love to join you in your long walks each day or if you take him to the park, he will love the chance to run off his leash.

Owning a dog is a responsibility, requiring you to look after a living being just like you would any family member of yours, otherwise why get a dog in the first place?

You may want a dog for watchdog purposes, but as a living creature, it is important to develop a relationship with your pet and to show him that you love and appreciate him.

There are many things to do to ensure you have a healthy, happy 4-legged canine member in your household

Make sure he has fresh, cool water available to him around the clock.

Provide him with a warm, dry place to sleep.

Provide him with wholesome food to maintain health. There are many excellent commercially manufactured foods on the market. Buy one according to the size and energy levels of your pet. Try to sometimes add cooked home-made food into his kibble such as cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables as well as some raw meat from time to time. This diet is guaranteed to keep your pet mentally and physically well.

Check your pets nails, ears and eyes regularly. He should be checked for fleas and ticks when you brush him twice a week. Have him examined by a veterinarian as soon as you suspect something is amiss with him. Keep him up to date with his vaccinations.

The Kaikadi is an energetic dog so make sure that you provide him with the opportunity to be exercised. Take him on walks or hikes, play ball and rope games with him and go swimming with him to ensure he remains lean and muscular.

Have him trained and socialized as it takes off the rough-edges of a dog.