Development Guidelines for Thai Spitz, Thai Bang Kaew Dog to Be a New International Recognized Breed of Dog: A Social Science Dimension Study

Abstract

                  The purposes of this study were to: 1) study basic characteristics and the raising ofThai Bang Kaew dog; 2) study the standard characteristics of Thai Bang Kaew dog; and 3) study guidelines for development of Thai Bang Kaew dog to be a new breed of dog recognized by Federation Cynologique Internationale (F.C.I.).  The research sample consisted of 3 purposively selected groups, namely, the group of 21 breeders and raisers of Thai Bang Kaew dog, the group of nine contestant judges and experts on Thai Bang Kaew dog, and the group of 21 Thai Bang Kaew dogs developed by the breeders.  Seven research instruments were employed in this study: a structured interview form for the group of breeders and the group of judges/experts, a pedigree recording form, a dog characteristics recording form, a form for comparison of dog characteristics with characteristic standards of the breed, a form for comparison of dog characteristics with the breed identity, a camera, and a video recording machine.  Research data were collected via the interviews, photographs taking of the dogs, and vedio recording of the dogs’ movement. Quantitative data were analyzed using the percentage; while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis and synthesis to derive at common conclusions.  The research findings could be concluded as follows:

                  Basic characteristics and the raising of Thai Bang Kaew dog. Thai Bang Kaew dog was a medium sized dog classified under the group of "Spitz". Its body was of the square structure with harmonized body parts and with agile movements.  It had eight important basic characteristics which were the identities of the breed.  The raising of Thai Bang Kaew dog included the following activities: the feeding with appropriate food to the dog according to their age interval, age, and weight; having the dog exercise at appropriate times twice daily, each of which lasting 10 – 15 minutes; having the dog defecate timely and twice daily; arranging for the dog to rest in the kennel; and taking the dog to be socially mingling with other dogs. 

                 Breed standards of Thai Bang Kaew dog. Regarding breed standards of Thai Bang Kaew dog, it was found that the majority of dogs had the characteristics of lips, nose color and nose muzzle, mouth shape, teeth, neck, waist, underline, front leg joints, and coat of hair in accordance with the breed standards; while the characteristics that were not in accordance with the breed standards were the back feet, front feet, and back, respectively.  As for comparison of characteristics against the breed identity, it was found that all of the 21 dogs had their shins in the lion’s leg shape which were in accordance with the breed identity; while the characteristics that were not in accordance with the breed identity were the coat of belly, the guard coat around neck, and the chest coat.  Regarding the transmission of the dominant and recessive genetics of Thai Bang Kaew dog, it was found that the genetics that had been transmitted at the most were the temperament, body structure, and coat of hair, respectively.  The dominant genetics were transmitted more than the recessive genetics.  The distinctive characteristics that the dog had received from the development were the body structure, temperament, and pattern of movement; while the characteristics that needed to be further developed were the size of the back legs, the small thighbone, fierceness, and apprehensive feeling.

                   The guidelines for development of Thai Bang Kaew dog to be a new breed of dog recognized by Federation Cynologique Internationale.  The development process should start with the study of details concerning the dog such as the physical structure,strong points and weak points, pedigree history, characteristics of pedigree transmission, genetics and breeding by selection of sire and dam which can increase the strong points and also decrease the weak points.  Especially, the breeders should give importance to pedigree history data recording system.  They should carefully and correctly record details of the dog in accordance with the facts.  Furthermore, the kennels/breeders should cooperate in developing guidelines for development of Thai Bang Kaew dog by collaborating in selection of distinguished breeds for further development.