Taiwan Dog

Grooming Tips

The Taiwan Dog’s short, two-layer coat requires minimal grooming. A weekly brushing and the occasional bath will suffice. Dental care is recommended, as like other breeds, to prevent tartar build-up.Their nails should be trimmed as needed with a nail clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting, and cracking. Ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris, which can result in infection.

Exercise Tips

The Formosan Mountain Dog is a highly energetic and naturally athletic breed, so they have high needs for exercise. These dogs require at least one hour of vigorous exercise per day, though more than an hour is always welcome. When the Formosan Mountain Dog doesn’t get enough exercise, he is highly prone to hyperactivity, excessive barking, and destructive behavior.

Feeding Tips

As a highly active breed, the Formosan Mountain Dog does best on a high-quality active or working breed formula. Even dogs of this breed kept as pets should still be given a calorie- and protein-dense diet because this breed is extremely active and requires a great deal of exercise.Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to gettingoverweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level.Treatscan be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about whichhuman foodsare safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Health Tips

Other than age-related degenerative conditions, the Taiwan Dog is a healthy breed with no known health issues.Working with aresponsible breeder, prospective owners can gain the education they need to learn about specific health concerns within the breed.

Trainability

The Formosan Mountain Dog is a highly intelligent breed and he has the potential to respond well to training with the right owner. This breed does best with an experienced dog owner and he may fare better in a single-person household than with a family.Though he can be challenging to keep as a pet, the Formosan Mountain Dog does well when trained for a specific task – he has excellent problem-solving abilities and has even been trained for advanced military work. He is, however, very independent-minded and may become stubborn or outright willful. A firm and consistent hand in leadership and training is required for this dog – he will become dominant if his trainer is inexperienced or inconsistent.

Taiwan Dogs have been genetically traced back between 10,000 and 20,000 years ago, making them one of the oldest and most primitive dog breeds in the world. They are the descendants of the South Asian hunting dogs indigenous to the central mountainous regions of Taiwan and was the loyal companion of the ancient hunter in the wild forest.Scholars from the National Taiwan University, Japan Gifu University and Nagoya University carried out a cooperative study in 1980 on the subject of the native Taiwan Dog. They visited twenty-nine tribes of local inhabitants and as a result, it was confirmed that the present Taiwan Dog is indeed a descendant of the South Asian hunting dogs.This ancient breed has been an integral part of Taiwan’s historical and cultural landscape for thousands of years. Now, they are popular all across the island as a watch and companion dog.Also known as Formosan Mountain Dogs, they have gained popularity in America due to the rescue efforts that have transplanted abandoned Taiwan Dog mixes to the U.S. However, purebred Taiwan Dogs are extremely rare and mostly kept for conservation efforts in Taiwan.