Are Bali Dogs like Normal Dogs?

If by normal dogs you are referring to domesticated dogs that people have as pets in Western type societies then Bali Dogs are different and are not ‘normal dogs’.  

Genetic testing has determined their DNA makeup is different (research exists to evidence this) and their behaviour is very different, more similar to the Australian Dingo than to any domestic dog.  They are not strays, they are free roaming dogs.  There is a distinct difference. 

Given that there are over 4 million people on the Island of Bali and an indeterminate but very high dog population there is no doubt that people regularly get bitten by Bali Dogs.  However contrary to popular belief they do not roam in packs attacking people.  If they did they would be killed by local people very quickly.  Balinese people have lived parallel with these dogs for thousands of years. Complicated rituals exist that assist an owner to determine the personality of their dog.  There are ancient scriptures that provide a Balinese dog pedigree describing the measurements and body posture necessary for particular types of dog.  Bali dogs have an important place within culture, providing security in the physical and spiritual realms.  They feature in mythology and are essential as a sacrifice in some ceremonies.  It is important to note that, to their people, they are first and foremost working dogs. 

The change in attitude towards the dogs is multifaceted and complex.  Almost simultaneously, a decade ago, the following occurred:-

• The Island opened its borders allowing breed dogs to be imported.  These are seen to be desirable and are a status symbol.  There was, and remains an attitude of ‘anyone can get a Bali Dog, but not everyone can afford a pit bull.’ 
• Until 2008 the island was rabies free.  When the virus incursion occurred it resulted in the death of many people and thousands of dogs.  For the first time in history the Balinese people had reason to fear their Indigenous dog.  
• The influx of tourists and expats onto the island has created conflict as they and local people differ in their views of what the human/canine relationship should look like.  In eight years the number of animal welfare organisations has grown from three to over seventy.  The vast majority are founded and run by expats.  Animal management interventions are not aligned with local cultural beliefs or in accordance with the existing ancient human/dog relationship, therefore they have little impact on improving animal or human health. 
• The dog meat trade has flourished on the island.  Whilst dog is not a traditional form of protein for Balinese, it is for people from other islands of Indonesia.  These people have flowed into Bali to gain employment on the multiple building projects around the island, projects that are serving the expat and tourist populations.  The dog meat trade has grown in response to the demand from the migrant workforce and has sparked an interest in the meat from young Balinese males.  

In the rural areas of Bali the dogs live with and alongside their people as they have for thousands of years.  In the urban, tourist areas of the island conflicts occur between expats and locals and the dogs are sometimes subject to cruelty and neglect.  

As is the case with all things human, people do not appreciate what they have until it is taken from them.  The Balinese do not understand the uniqueness of their Indigenous dog because it has always been there. 

​The work of Yayasan Seva Bhuana and www.thebalistreetdog.com is designed to remind Balinese people just how exceptional the dog they share their lives with is and to educate non Balinese people about the relationship.