Breeds / Medium
Thai Bangkaew puppies
Loyal, alert and territorial, the Thai Bangkaew is a Thai spitz that bonds tightly to their own household and needs consistent socialisation to be comfortable with strangers.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Thailand
- Adult weight 15.9 to 19.5 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 35 to 43 lb
- Adult height 41 to 53 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Not published
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 14 to 17 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Thai Bangkaew
The Thai Bangkaew comes from the Bang Rakam district of Thailand, where the breed is traditionally traced back to dogs kept at a riverside temple. This is a spitz type of moderate size, 41 to 53 cm tall and 15.9 to 19.5 kg, with prick ears, a plumed tail carried over the back and a heavy standing ruff around the neck and shoulders. Bangkaews are devoted to their own family, alert, territorial by nature, and slow to accept people they have not met.
Exercise is moderate: daily walks, hikes and supervised off lead time inside a fenced area. Prey drive and an independent streak make an open field a poor idea. Brush weekly with a rake or slicker and expect heavier shedding in season, avoiding the aggressive stripping tools that damage the outer coat. Socialisation from puppyhood is the single most important piece of work, because the guarding instinct is real. This breed suits an owner who will manage visitors thoughtfully rather than assume friendliness.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Thai Bangkaew puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Early onset eye disease including progressive retinal atrophy, found by ophthalmologist examination and, where available, DNA test
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed and scored for
- Dental disease, kept down by regular tooth brushing and veterinary checks
Your Thai Bangkaew puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Thai Bangkaew.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 15.9 to 19.5 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 19.5 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
More on the Thai Bangkaew
Previous: Texas Heeler · Next: Thai Ridgeback
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Thai Bangkaew breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/thai-bangkaew/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
No published figure for coat type, so nothing is shown rather than a guess.