Telomian

Also called Telomian Dog

Rare breedShort profile

From Malaysia, from villages along the Telom River in the rainforest of the Malay Peninsula, where it was kept by the Orang Asli.1

At a glance the quick version

Weight8.2 to 12.7 kg1

Height38 to 48 cm1

Sizemedium

Wikipedia gives 8.2-12.7 kg without splitting by sex.

remarkable climber

affectionate with people

lively and alert

Coat and looks how to spot one

short coat

A lightly built, agile primitive-type dog with short hair, upright ears and a curled tail.1

Coloursredyellowpiebaldwith or without black mask1

Personality what they are like

An active, people-loving dog with a spirited, terrier-like character.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High; an energetic, athletic dog that loves to climb and explore.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The short coat needs very little grooming.1

The story where it all began

The Telomian lived with the Orang Asli in the Malay rainforest, where it was kept as a pet and hunting dog and helped keep rats and snakes away. Anthropologist Dr Orville Elliot sent a pair to the United States in 1963 and another pair in 1973, and all American Telomians descend from those four dogs.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
It is famous for climbing, because the homes it lived in stood on stilts and were reached by simple ladders.1
2
Females usually come into season only once a year rather than twice.1
3
The breed has its own distinctive call.1
4
Every Telomian in the United States traces back to just four imported dogs.1

Recognised by the official bits

Malaysian Kennel Association: Considers these village dogs a type rather than a recognised breed.1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Telomian. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year

Start a free diary

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

Telomian - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for all fields

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.