Bali’s ancient lontar manuscripts mention the Kuluk Gembrong, which the FCI standard identifies as this breed’s ancestor. Its origins lie in Sukawana village in the Kintamani district, a volcanic, heavily forested mountain region. Nobody knows exactly how old the breed is.
| FCI | Group 5 (Spitz and primitive types), Section 5 Asian Spitz and related breeds, Standard No. 362, without working trial, provisionally recognised |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Indonesia (Sukawana village, Kintamani district, Bali) |
| Height at the withers | Males 49 to 57 cm, preferably 53 cm; females 44 to 52 cm, preferably 48 cm |
| Weight | Males 15 to 18 kg, females 13 to 16 kg |
| Life expectancy | No reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | Double coat with soft, relatively short undercoat and harsh, medium-length outer coat; neck ruff (Badong), longer hair from the withers (Bulu Gumba), bushy tail |
| Colours according to the standard | White (preferably with wheat-coloured ear edges), black, fawn from pale fawn to deep red, brindle; black, fawn and brindle dogs may have some white on chest, paws or tail tip; other colours disqualify |
From a mountain village on Bali
In 1985, the Pantrab breeders’ association presented its dogs at its first show, organised with the veterinary medicine programme at Udayana University. Today it is considered Indonesia’s national breed and is widespread throughout the country as a companion dog.
What the genes reveal
One legend traces it to a Chow Chow said to have arrived on Bali 600 years ago. A genetic study using 31 markers suggested otherwise: Kintamani dogs resembled Bali’s street dogs at all but three markers and were closest to the Australian Dingo, with only distant relationships to pedigree breeds of Asian origin. The authors conclude that the breed developed from the island’s free-roaming dogs without losing much genetic diversity (Puja et al. 2005).
What provisional recognition means
The FCI provisionally admitted the breed on 20.02.2019. Until definitive recognition, a Kintamani cannot receive a CACIB at shows. Titles such as World Winner or Section Winner remain open to it, and every pedigree for these dogs must display the FCI logo.
Friendly, alert and quick to learn
Attentive, intelligent, watchful, friendly, loyal and easy to train: the standard promises an uncomplicated character. Watchfulness also means announcing anything unfamiliar, however. Let your dog calmly get to know visitors, traffic noise and other dogs early on. Walks with sniffing breaks, trick training and search games keep its mind busy.
Caring for Badong and Bulu Gumba
In the standard, Badong is the ruff of longer outer hair around the neck, while Bulu Gumba is the longer hair running from the withers along the back. Weekly brushing is usually enough, with more frequent brushing during shedding. The ears must be fully erect from twelve months of age, otherwise the dog is disqualified.
Health: very little evidence
The breed does not appear in the large British lifespan analysis (McMillan et al. 2024). Europe PMC contains only papers on its origins and semen preservation, with no study of diseases. Ask the breeder to show you which examinations the parents have had.
Who it suits, and who should reconsider
It is a good choice if you want a medium-sized, friendly Spitz that enjoys learning, and you like brushing. You will find it less enjoyable if every bark at the window irritates you, or if you want a dog that stays alone for hours. Finding a reputable breeder takes patience.
The breed quiz can help you decide whether such a rare Spitz is right for you; our book offers greater depth: “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For the first weeks with a puppy, get help from the free Puppy Starter Pack. Celebrate your Kintamani’s ruff and mane with dog portraits from your own photo or a dog portrait as a poster in a wooden frame.
Further reading
- The first 30 days with a puppy: a plan for weeks 1 to 4
- Puppy biting: teaching bite inhibition without spoiling the fun
- Autumn shedding in dogs and cats: what is normal and what is not
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 362 Anjing Kintamani-Bali (Kintamani-Bali-Hund) (fci.be, German version dated 05.04.2019, English version dated 26.03.2019, valid standard published 13.06.2018); FCI breed page No. 362 and FCI page on provisionally recognised breeds; McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024 (breed not included); Puja IK et al., The Kintamani dog: genetic profile of an emerging breed from Bali, Indonesia, Journal of Heredity 2005.
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