The Bali Dog is first and foremost a working dog. It has a function and several roles that it must perform. If it fails to perform theses required roles and steps outside of it's boundaries it is dealt with swiftly and sometimes cruelly. This approach and attitude is not unlike the normal social norms of a Balinese Banjar. There are expectations placed on each community member, if these are not adhered to or lived up to then punishment ensues.
The primary function of the Bali Dog is that of guard dog. The dogs guard the family compound, their classic pose is that of them sitting on the compound steps with their legs dangling over. When they do their job and jump to attention with a full faced snarl at the sight of any intruder into their territory it is impressive and a little intimidating - they are just doing their job.
Farmers use packs of Bali Dogs to protect their rice fields, their livestock - their income, and have been doing so for generation after generation of both farmer and dog.
The Bali Dog does not just guard against intruders of the human kind. They have a function to not only guard but warn their family when spirits enter the compound. Balinese will tell you that the Bali Dog has very different barks, and the one that indicates the presence of a spirit is very distinctive. Some Bali Dogs have differing barks for different spirits - a true professional Bali Dog.
Bali Dogs also serve useful purposes such as keeping snakes out of the compound, or at the very least alerting the family that a snake is in the compound. They do have a distinct snake bark as anyone who has shared their life with a Bali Dog will attest. This is an essential part of Bali life, by letting the family know a snake is in the compound the Bali Dog is protecting the families chickens and eggs and therefore their food source. The Bali Dog is also protecting the young of the family by ensuring snakes are dispensed of before small children find them an interesting yet deadly plaything.
The Bali Dog also serves as a disposal unit, keeping down the piles of trash and offerings that accompany human life in a Balinese compound and village. Without the dogs to be the mobile garbage disposal units then the trash and the offerings pile up. Piles of rotting foodstuffs encourage rats, without any natural predator the rats prevail and multiply at a great rate spreading disease and eating food supplies, crops and encouraging snakes into the compounds.
The Balinese that are now choosing to own a 'pet' and are buying breed dogs to have in their compounds will still have Bali Dogs. Our Landlord, a very respected man in his Banjar, has a breed dog, a Golden Retriever. But, his compound also has 6 Bali Dogs as well. Ask him why this is the case and the reply is quick and uttered in way that suggests it is a stupid question. Breed Dogs are not as clever as Bali Dog. We need Bali Dogs to protect our home and family. The Breed Dogs are fun, and they look pretty but they are not Bali Dog.
There are some Banjars in Bali that have chosen to go 'dog free' This choice has been in response to the rabies outbreak. In these Banjars massive rat population explosions have occurred. Rice crops have failed and the influx of snakes into people's homes has increased and posed threats to the safety of community members.
The Bali Dog not only has a place in the society and culture of Bali but it is also a part of the eco system, you remove it and there will be natural consequences.
The primary function of the Bali Dog is that of guard dog. The dogs guard the family compound, their classic pose is that of them sitting on the compound steps with their legs dangling over. When they do their job and jump to attention with a full faced snarl at the sight of any intruder into their territory it is impressive and a little intimidating - they are just doing their job.
Farmers use packs of Bali Dogs to protect their rice fields, their livestock - their income, and have been doing so for generation after generation of both farmer and dog.
The Bali Dog does not just guard against intruders of the human kind. They have a function to not only guard but warn their family when spirits enter the compound. Balinese will tell you that the Bali Dog has very different barks, and the one that indicates the presence of a spirit is very distinctive. Some Bali Dogs have differing barks for different spirits - a true professional Bali Dog.
Bali Dogs also serve useful purposes such as keeping snakes out of the compound, or at the very least alerting the family that a snake is in the compound. They do have a distinct snake bark as anyone who has shared their life with a Bali Dog will attest. This is an essential part of Bali life, by letting the family know a snake is in the compound the Bali Dog is protecting the families chickens and eggs and therefore their food source. The Bali Dog is also protecting the young of the family by ensuring snakes are dispensed of before small children find them an interesting yet deadly plaything.
The Bali Dog also serves as a disposal unit, keeping down the piles of trash and offerings that accompany human life in a Balinese compound and village. Without the dogs to be the mobile garbage disposal units then the trash and the offerings pile up. Piles of rotting foodstuffs encourage rats, without any natural predator the rats prevail and multiply at a great rate spreading disease and eating food supplies, crops and encouraging snakes into the compounds.
The Balinese that are now choosing to own a 'pet' and are buying breed dogs to have in their compounds will still have Bali Dogs. Our Landlord, a very respected man in his Banjar, has a breed dog, a Golden Retriever. But, his compound also has 6 Bali Dogs as well. Ask him why this is the case and the reply is quick and uttered in way that suggests it is a stupid question. Breed Dogs are not as clever as Bali Dog. We need Bali Dogs to protect our home and family. The Breed Dogs are fun, and they look pretty but they are not Bali Dog.
There are some Banjars in Bali that have chosen to go 'dog free' This choice has been in response to the rabies outbreak. In these Banjars massive rat population explosions have occurred. Rice crops have failed and the influx of snakes into people's homes has increased and posed threats to the safety of community members.
The Bali Dog not only has a place in the society and culture of Bali but it is also a part of the eco system, you remove it and there will be natural consequences.