Kuri Dog Breed Information, Images, Characteristics, Health

Basic Information - Kuri for Sale

Group:
Miscellaneous dogs
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French Polynesia
Height Male:
25 - 46 cm9 - 19 inches
Height Female:
25 - 46 cm9 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
13 - 15 kg28 - 34 pounds
Weight Female:
13 - 15 kg28 - 34 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 8
Size:
Medium
Other Names:
Peroor New Zealand Native Dog, Guri
Colors Available:
White, brown, tan, cream, black - solids and different patterns
Coat:
Medium length, rough
Shedding:
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes

History - Kuri for Sale

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.

Description - Kuri for Sale

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.

Characteristics - Kuri for Sale

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.

Health Problems - Kuri for Sale

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.

Caring The Pet - Kuri for Sale

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Kuri vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Kuri vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Kuri vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Kuri vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Kuri vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Kuri vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Kuri vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Kuri vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Kuri vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Kuri vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Kuri vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Kuri vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Kuri vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Kuri vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Kuri vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Kuri vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Kuri vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Kuri vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Kuri vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Kuri vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Kuri vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Kuri vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Kuri vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Kuri vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Kuri vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Kuri vs Aussie Poo - Breed Comparison
  27. Kuri vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  28. Kuri vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  29. Kuri vs Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie - Breed Comparison
  30. Kuri vs Aussie Doodles - Breed Comparison
  31. Kuri vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  32. Kuri vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  33. Kuri vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  34. Kuri vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  35. Kuri vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  36. Kuri vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  37. Kuri vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  38. Kuri vs Alopekis - Breed Comparison
  39. Kuri vs Alpine Dachsbracke - Breed Comparison
  40. Kuri vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  41. Kuri vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  42. Kuri vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Kuri vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Kuri vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  45. Kuri vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Kuri vs American Cocker Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  47. Kuri vs American English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  48. Kuri vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison
  49. Kuri vs American Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  50. Kuri vs Bakharwal Dog - Breed Comparison