About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 56-64 cm

Height range  : 43-52cm

Weight range : 11-18kg

Coat : short smooth dense single coat without undercoat

Life expectancy years : 10-13

Colors: black|fawn|brindle|white|piebald|white and black|white and brindle|white and fawn|yellow-brown|earthy yellow.

Activitity Level : High

Origin: Taiwan

Similar Breeds : Australian Cattle Dog|Norwegian Buhund|Formosan Mountain Dog

 

History

The breed is ancient and is believed to descend from South Asian hunting dogs that lived with indigenous tribes in Taiwan’s central mountains for thousands of years. Its purity declined after imported dogs arrived and the breed nearly disappeared in the 20th century before recovery efforts and research programs in the 1970s and 1980s helped preserve it. The FCI granted provisional recognition in 2004 and final recognition in 2015.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

bold|fearless|keen-sensed|watchful|loyal|sometimes stubborn

Personality

loyal|alert|intelligent|agile|fearless|devoted|protective|independent

Needs

serious daily exercise|mental stimulation|secure fencing|early socialization|positive training|warm shelter in cold weather

Social Needs

forms an extremely close bond with family or one primary person|can be reserved with strangers|may coexist with children and pets if socialized early

Grooming 

Coat care is simple with occasional brushing using a soft bristle or slicker brush and a weekly wipe-down with a damp cloth. Check ears weekly , trim nails every two to three weeks , and bathe only as needed with a mild shampoo.

Nutrition

Feed a balanced diet based on age , weight and activity level with adequate protein , fats , carbohydrates , vitamins and minerals. Avoid overfeeding to protect joints and maintain a healthy body condition.

 

Breed Standard

medium dog with triangular head|almond-shaped dark eyes|thin erect ears|black nose usually preferred|single short harsh coat|sickle tail|dry sinewy and well-proportioned build

Did you know?

The Taiwan Dog is considered one of the oldest surviving dog breeds and is thought to descend directly from ancient South Asian hunting dogs. It can pivot sharply and is known for remarkable agility in rugged terrain.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Canine Hip Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Luxating Patella, Cataracts, Atopic Dermatitis

 

Symptoms

1. Bunny-hopping gait
2. Difficulty or stiffness when rising
3. Reluctance to run , jump or climb stairs
4. Hind-limb muscle loss may develop
5. Hip pain or swaying gait may appear.

1. Night blindness
2. Hesitation in dim light
3. Dilated pupils
4. Increased eye shine or reflective eyes
5. Eventual daytime vision loss may occur.

1. Intermittent skipping gait
2. Sudden hopping on three legs
3. Limp that comes and goes
4. Popping sounds or joint stiffness may occur
5. Reluctance to jump or climb may develop.

1. Cloudy or bluish-white eye center
2. White spot , streak or icy appearance may occur
3. Bumping into objects
4. Hesitation in dim areas
5. Progressive vision loss may develop.

1. Chronic itching
2. Redness around face , paws , axillae or groin
3. Recurrent ear irritation or infections
4. Face rubbing may occur
5. Darkened or thickened skin may develop with chronic scratching.

Onset of symptoms

 

Canine Hip Dysplasia

Signs may appear during rapid growth from about 4 to 12 months of age or later when osteoarthritis develops in mature dogs.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate risk is described and the breed guidance emphasizes hip screening because joint problems can occur despite overall breed hardiness.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

It typically presents in young adulthood to middle age and is often recognized between 3 and 6 years of age depending on the genetic variant.

Probability Of Onset:

Low to moderate risk is described and PRA is specifically listed among breed health concerns.

Luxating Patella

It usually becomes noticeable between 4 and 12 months of age although mild cases may remain undiagnosed until adulthood.

Probability Of Onset:

Low to moderate risk is described and knee screening is highlighted in breeder health oversight.

Cataracts

Juvenile inherited forms may appear between 1 and 4 years of age while age-related cataracts may appear in mature to senior dogs.

Probability Of Onset:

Low to moderate risk is described and eye screening is specifically emphasized in breed health guidance.

Atopic Dermatitis

It typically develops between 1 and 4 years of age.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate risk is described and diagnosis may require exclusion of other skin diseases because no reliable biomarker confirms CAD by itself.

Reasons

Canine Hip Dysplasia       

 Normal hip joint stability is lacking because the coxofemoral joint forms incorrectly and becomes lax. This inherited laxity leads to cartilage loss and bony remodeling over time. Proper control of growth influences may be lacking when rapid weight gain or overfeeding worsens expression in predisposed dogs. The resulting instability can increase pain and osteoarthritis risk.

 

Luxating Patella

Stable alignment of the kneecap support system is lacking because the patella can shift away from its normal groove. Abnormal knee anatomy and shallow groove support reduce normal tracking. No nutrient deficiency is identified as the direct cause in the supplied texts. Obesity can worsen disease severity and complication risk even though it does not directly cause the condition.

 

Canine Hip Dysplasia       

 Normal hip joint stability is lacking because the coxofemoral joint forms incorrectly and becomes lax. This inherited laxity leads to cartilage loss and bony remodeling over time. Proper control of growth influences may be lacking when rapid weight gain or overfeeding worsens expression in predisposed dogs. The resulting instability can increase pain and osteoarthritis risk.

Luxating Patella:

Stable alignment of the kneecap support system is lacking because the patella can shift away from its normal groove. Abnormal knee anatomy and shallow groove support reduce normal tracking. No nutrient deficiency is identified as the direct cause in the supplied texts. Obesity can worsen disease severity and complication risk even though it does not directly cause the condition.

 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

 Functional retinal photoreceptor cells are progressively lacking because rods and cones degenerate over time. Rod function for night vision is lost first in true PRA and cone loss follows. No nutrient deficiency is identified as the direct cause because inherited retinal degeneration is the core problem. Progressive cellular loss can culminate in complete blindness.

Cataracts

Lens transparency is lacking because the lens becomes opaque and no longer focuses light normally onto the retina. The supplied texts link this to inherited factors as well as trauma , chronic eye disease or inflammation in some dogs. No specific nutrient deficiency is identified as the direct cause. As opacity progresses , vision can decline and blindness may occur.

Atopic Dermatitis

Normal skin barrier protection is lacking because epidermal barrier defects allow allergens to penetrate more easily. Balanced immune response control is also lacking because immune dysregulation drives exaggerated inflammation. These defects can increase susceptibility to environmental triggers such as pollen , mites and molds. Chronic exposure and inflammation can sustain pruritus and skin damage.

Normally Treament Methods

Canine Hip Dysplasia:

  1. Management may include healthy weight control , low-impact exercise , NSAIDs , pain relief , physical rehabilitation and cartilage support. Severe cases may require referral for surgery such as total hip replacement or femoral head ostectomy and early joint-preserving procedures may be considered in puppies.

 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

  1. No approved cure is available and management may focus on routine eye evaluation , safety adaptations , stable furniture placement , added lighting and guidance in unfamiliar areas. DNA testing of breeding stock is recommended and breeding affected lines is not recommended.

 

Luxating Patella

  1. Mild cases may be managed with anti-inflammatory medication , exercise restriction , weight control and joint support. Severe or painful cases may require surgery such as tibial tuberosity transposition or trochlear wedge resection and postoperative rechecks are important.

 

Cataracts:

  1. Early cataracts may only need monitoring while vision-limiting cataracts may be evaluated by a veterinary ophthalmologist with electroretinogram and ultrasound before surgery. Surgical lens removal may restore vision in many dogs and control of glaucoma or lens shift may be needed if surgery is not an option.

 

Atopic Dermatitis:

  1. Diagnosis may require exclusion of parasites , infections and other lookalike skin diseases before allergen testing is used. Management may include allergen avoidance , medicated bathing , topical therapy , immune-modulating medication and allergen-specific immunotherapy while saliva testing is not recommended. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Canine Hip Dysplasia :

  • 1. Glucosamine hydrochloride can,might be helpful for cartilage support.
    2. Chondroitin sulfate can,might be helpful for cartilage hydration support.
    3. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA can,might be helpful for inflammation support.
    4. Green-lipped mussel extract can,might be helpful for joint support.
recommend product

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

  • 1. Lutein can,might be helpful for retinal support.
    2. Zeaxanthin can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
    3. Vitamin A can,might be helpful for retinal cellular support.
    4. Vitamin E can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
    5. Coenzyme Q10 can,might be helpful for retinal cellular support.
recommend product

Luxating Patella

  • 1. Glucosamine hydrochloride can,might be helpful for cartilage support.
    2. Chondroitin sulfate can,might be helpful for joint support.
    3. MSM can,might be helpful for joint comfort support.
    4. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA can,might be helpful for inflammation support.
recommend product

Cataracts

  • 1. Lutein can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
    2. Zeaxanthin can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
    3. Astaxanthin can,might be helpful for oxidative stress support.
    4. Vitamin C can,might be helpful for eye tissue support.
    5. Vitamin E can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
recommend product

Atopic Dermatitis

  • 1. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids can,might be helpful for skin barrier support.
    2. Quercetin can,might be helpful for immune response support.
    3. Probiotics can,might be helpful for immune balance support.
recommend product