The standards for a Bali Dog have been written in scriptures and used to judge whether the puppy you collect from the market or get from your relative will be a 'professional dog' or if it will be 'nakal' (trouble). Mangkus' (priests) are the source of knowledge about the standards and will tell you the type of dog you have based on a set of measurements, body posturing, coloring and tail alignment. This is no different in theory than the standards used by judges all over the world when Breed dogs are strutting their stuff in the show ring.
The existence of these standards demonstrates clearly that the Bali Dog has been an integral part of Bali life since recorded history began. It also demonstrates the clear relationship the dog has with it's people and the need for it's presence in the lives of the community. The standards for the Bali Street Dog are outlined below in a document taken from ancient knowledge and provided by a local Mangku (priest).
In general, dogs in bali are loyal to their masters, however good and bad dogs behaviour and its usefulness depend on the dog sizes : (there are 4)
1. Paksa: good for guards, hunts, houseguards.
2. Guna : bring goodluck or something good.
3. Ketek: like to eat and steal
4. Kiul : lazy and sleep a lot.
How to measure:
1. The length from forehead to tip of muzzle for example is 5 cm.
2. Length from tip of muzzle to tip of tail for example is 50 cm.
3. Dog length: (divided) the length from dog forehead to tip of muzzle, then the result is calculated based on the sequential order of the nature of dogs.
Example: 50:5= 10cm
1 (guna) 2(paksa) 3(ketek) 4(kial) 5(guna) 6(paksa) 7(ketek) 8 (kiul) 9(guna) 10(paksa).
So that dog is Paksa.
2. If tail curl to the left side: lazy and like to steal.
2. Two bundles: average
3. Three bundles: very good and kind
Also in Bali, there is very special dog but rare called Belang Uyang with characteristic: stripe hair but the stripe move places:
There is one aspect of Bali culture for which the people are reliant upon the Bali Dog. As unpalatable as it may be to Western sensibilities animal sacrifice is practised in Bali every day. There is a particular kind of Bali Dog that is required for sacrifice as the priest explains below...
For special ceremony: bangbungkem puppy is use whereas the hair colour of the puppy is orange and have black nozzle, for Mecaru Balik Sumpah ceremony, meaning and purpose are:
According to cardinal direction (Pengider) in Bali orange is in Southwest where Bhutakala is neutralized so no more riot and not to be disturb by Bhutakala.
The puppy is used (yadnya) so it will reincarnate as human.
If male : become a handsome man
If female : become an elegant and pretty woman.
The existence of these standards demonstrates clearly that the Bali Dog has been an integral part of Bali life since recorded history began. It also demonstrates the clear relationship the dog has with it's people and the need for it's presence in the lives of the community. The standards for the Bali Street Dog are outlined below in a document taken from ancient knowledge and provided by a local Mangku (priest).
In general, dogs in bali are loyal to their masters, however good and bad dogs behaviour and its usefulness depend on the dog sizes : (there are 4)
1. Paksa: good for guards, hunts, houseguards.
2. Guna : bring goodluck or something good.
3. Ketek: like to eat and steal
4. Kiul : lazy and sleep a lot.
How to measure:
1. The length from forehead to tip of muzzle for example is 5 cm.
2. Length from tip of muzzle to tip of tail for example is 50 cm.
3. Dog length: (divided) the length from dog forehead to tip of muzzle, then the result is calculated based on the sequential order of the nature of dogs.
Example: 50:5= 10cm
1 (guna) 2(paksa) 3(ketek) 4(kial) 5(guna) 6(paksa) 7(ketek) 8 (kiul) 9(guna) 10(paksa).
So that dog is Paksa.
- There is good and bad of dog if viewing from the tail:
2. If tail curl to the left side: lazy and like to steal.
- If viewing in terms of from specific bundle of hair below the ears:
2. Two bundles: average
3. Three bundles: very good and kind
Also in Bali, there is very special dog but rare called Belang Uyang with characteristic: stripe hair but the stripe move places:
- Effect/functionality: bring goodluck, once upon a time dog hunts animals for food, but this dog will only stay at home but the other animals will come to him.
There is one aspect of Bali culture for which the people are reliant upon the Bali Dog. As unpalatable as it may be to Western sensibilities animal sacrifice is practised in Bali every day. There is a particular kind of Bali Dog that is required for sacrifice as the priest explains below...
For special ceremony: bangbungkem puppy is use whereas the hair colour of the puppy is orange and have black nozzle, for Mecaru Balik Sumpah ceremony, meaning and purpose are:
- Cleansing nature and surrounding
- To give border on house yards, village yards and Temple’s yards to give them lives like human.
- Utama Mandala : Merajan (house temple), Temple
- Madya Mandala: house yards, village yards
- Nista Mandala: Graveyards
According to cardinal direction (Pengider) in Bali orange is in Southwest where Bhutakala is neutralized so no more riot and not to be disturb by Bhutakala.
The puppy is used (yadnya) so it will reincarnate as human.
If male : become a handsome man
If female : become an elegant and pretty woman.