Malaysian Telemonian (The Telemonian) Breed Dog

The Telomian (Malaysian Telemonian) is rare breed native Malaysia dog. "The Telomian was named after the Sungai Telom valley in Pahang where this breed was first found by American scientists." Orang Ash indigenous people located along the Peninsular Malaysia used the Telomian dogs to protect their settlements (build their huts above ground) from invading varmints including snakes, scorpions, army of ants, poisonous snakes and hungry mammals especially during nightfall. 1 Also, the breed used for hunting small game and catching fish. 3 The breed developed an ability to climb wooden ladders used to reach their own huts. In 1970, the Telomian Dog Club was established in the United States. 1 Telomian dogs has similar characteristics like the Basenji and other pariah dogs. The breed is an excellent pet for families especially friendly with children when trained for socializing during four-to-eight weeks of age, enjoys playing and running with an abundance of energy, and good family protective dog. 2

The Malaysian Telemonian is mid-sized dog ("Telomian stand between 15 - 19 inches and weigh between 18 - 28 pounds." 3), square built, erect ears, and appears parti-colored black, white and tan. Most Telomians have a blue-black colored tongue. 1 "Legs: Forelegs are absolutely straight with perpendicular pasterns. Hind legs slope slightly and appear straight when viewed from the rear. Feet: Round, with hard pads and arched toes. " 5 The breed known to produce a strange howling sound but does not bark. The female Telemonian dogs have only one period of heat a year. During the first number of weeks after birth, the breed can be trained to socialize and become a marvelous companion especially with children. 1 Malaysian Telemonian has few if any health problems but generally a very healthy dog and life expectancy longer than twelve years. Preferably a small to medium size yard, breed has sufficient area to exercise or taken for walks frequently when kept indoors. The Telomian requires: Brushed or combed & bathed not excessively.4 "A quite unique ability of these dogs is the way they use their paws to hold toys and open doors, much the same way humans do." 1

In 1963 anthropologist Dr. Orville Elliott and his wife discovered Malaysian Telemonian breed in the jungles of Malaysia. The people living within this geographic area concerned the Malaysian Telemonian breed may become extinct because of the dog's lifestyle was changing and threatened as a result of increased human intervention in the jungles, provided a pair of Malaysian dogs to Dr. Elliott and his wife to breed in the United States. The pair of Malaysian Telemonian where sent to Dr. J. C. Scott at Jackson Laboratory in Maine. In a laboratory environment, Telemonian dogs were studied for their unique animal behavior and breed. In 1970, research assistant Audrey Malone Palumbo introduced the new breed of Malaysian to the public and during the same year Teleomian Dog Club was established. Subsequently, Dr Elliott returned to Malaysia to obtain an additional pair of dogs prevent the current stock of dogs from further inbreeding, arrived in 1973. 2 The Continental Kennel Club and other kennel Clubs, recognize the Malaysian Telemonian breed. 4

More information regarding Malaysian Telemonian breed is available at 'Yahoo Pet Groups': Telomian Lovers. 6

References:

1.) TELOMIAN (Malaysian Telemonian) - http://dogbreeds.bulldoginformation.com/telomian.html

2.) Telomian - http://www.heydogs.com/breeds/t/telomian.html

3.) Telomian - Dog of Malaysia - http://www.worldlydogs.com/telomian.php

4.) Telomian Pictures and Information - http://www.dogbreedsite.net/telomian.html

5.) Telomian - http://www.continentalkennelclub.com/Ads.aspx?BreedNum=2211

6.) Yahoo Pets Group - telomian - Telomian Lovers - http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/telomian/messages/31?l=1