Formosan Mountain Dog vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison

Formosan Mountain Dog vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed ComparisonFormosan Mountain Dog is originated from Taiwan but Antebellum Bulldog is originated from United States. Formosan Mountain Dog may grow 14 cm / 5 inches shorter than Antebellum Bulldog. Formosan Mountain Dog may weigh 50 kg / 110 pounds lesser than Antebellum Bulldog. Formosan Mountain Dog may live 3 years less than Antebellum Bulldog. Formosan Mountain Dog may have more litter size than Antebellum Bulldog. Both Formosan Mountain Dog and Antebellum Bulldog requires Low maintenance.

History

formosan mountain dog - historyThe Formosan Mountain Dog is most often known as the Taiwan dog and it is a landrace indigenous to Taiwan. It is a small to medium breed of dog that was semi-wild at one time. The colonialization of Taiwan and other foreigners help to fully domesticate the Formosan Mountain Dog. They were found to be very trainable and uniquely suited for the terrain around Taiwan. The dogs were easy to train and now serve as hunting dogs, stunt dogs, guard dogs, rescue dogs, therapy dog and personal companions. There are three types of Formosans two smaller types and one medium. However, the original pure Formosan Mountain Dog is getting close to extinction again because the government and people have provided no protection or conservation efforts for them. These dogs have been living in Taiwan in the mountains and were called Formosan Mountain Dogs when Taiwan was known as Formosa. They come from a line of Southeast Asian hunting/gun dogs and they are considered ‘rare’ now.

According to historian Dr. Sung Yung-yi, the breed went through 4 major catastrophes that affected their development. The first of these was the Dutch Establishment in 1624. The Dutch colonized Taiwan and imported both people and dogs. The dog they brought in was called the Flying Dog and was either Greyhound or Pointer. Eventually, the Flying Dog bred with the Formosan Mountain Dog. This along with the slaughter of dogs belonging to the indigenous people by the government, starting the decline of the original Taiwan dog.

In 1895, it was the Japanese acquiring Taiwan following the First Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese bred the Formosan Mountain Dog extensively with the own Japanese dogs. This further diluted the line and authenticity of Taiwan dogs.

This was followed by World War II when German Shepherds traveled with the US Army and they cross-bred with the Formosan. This was the third major dilution of the Formosan Mountain dog line. At the same time, the Japanese government considered the Formosan Mountain Dog a sanitation threat and barbaric. They massacred them in large numbers in the name of sanitation.

The fourth and final dilution took place during the Kuomintang Era beginning in 1945 with the arrival of the Chinese Nationalist Party. They brought with them the culture of eating dogs. During this time the economy of Taiwan took off and business people began to import their own foreign dogs that were high priced purebreds. These dogs bred with the Formosan and other Formosans were just abandoned to die. The ranks of the breed became very thin indeed. Today’s pure Formosan is highly valuable and extremely rare. Because of all the crossbreeding over the centuries, today’s purebred Formosan Mountain Dog is very different from the Taiwan dog of old. Today’s Formosan is loved all over the island and is a companion and watchdog.

Today there is an effort by Taiwanese ecologists to put together a research project that would study and preserve the Formosan in its indigenous form. Dr. Yung-yi led this effort. He located only 46 dogs with a pure pedigree, 21 females and 25 males. They let the Food and Agricultural of the United Nations know and the dogs were labeled close to extinction. Reproducing from the indigenous dogs to purify and increase the breed was the goal. The government was not very supportive.

Today the Royal Air Force is looking at the Formosan Dog to use for military security. They are currently only using German Shepherds and needed another choice. It was decided that the Formosan Mountain Dog had a better sense of smell, dexterity, alertness, and hearing as well as better padding on their paws.

Through these efforts and those of foundation stock breeders and owners, the Formosan Mountain Dog in its indigenous form was brought back. Some call this dog a purebred Formosan while others consider it a new type. Standards were presented to the FCI for registrations as a purebred. This debate continues today

antebellum bulldog - historyThe history of the Antebellum Bulldog dates back the 1600s where it was used as a lasting solution to drive away hogs in rice plantation farms in Altamaha River in Georgia. After the plantation system became dominant in most parts of the United States, a majority of the farmers had to think of a more creative way of driving away wild feral pigs and cattle. Having caused multiple deaths to humans due to their massive bodies and extremely sharp horns, farm owners had no option but to employ bulldogs as the only means of security.

Although these dogs served their purpose of protecting their masters while still being family companions, their age of extinction came during the Civil War where the economy at the Altamaha region was permanently altered. After the fall of plantation farming and abolition of slavery, the Antebellum Bulldog became a forgotten breed something which led to its extinction. However, as years passed by, this rare breed was eventually reintroduced by the Maxwell family under strict guidelines by the Animal Research Foundation.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Working dog
Origin:
Taiwan
United States
Height Male:
48 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
46 - 66 cm
18 - 26 inches
Height Female:
43 - 47 cm
16 - 19 inches
46 - 66 cm
18 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
36 - 68 kg
79 - 150 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 16 kg
26 - 36 pounds
32 - 50 kg
70 - 111 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
10 - 13
4 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Taiwan Canis, Taiwanese Dog, Taiwanese Aboriginal Dog, Native Formosan Dog, Taiwanese Native Dog, Taiwanese Mountain Dog, National Dog Takasago Dog , and Taiwanese Dog., Formosan Hunting Dog, Formosan, Native Taiwanese Dog, Formosan Aboriginal Dog, Formosan Dog, Taiwanse Canis. Formosan Native Dog
Altamaha Plantation Dog, Altamaha Plantation Bulldog
Colors Available:
earthly yellow, Black, or yellow
White, sable brown, brindle and beige
Coat:
smooth and oily
Short and soft
Shedding:
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective
Aggressive, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

formosan mountain dog puppy - descriptionThe Formosan Mountain Dog that was seen during Dr. Sung Yung-yi’s research is a medium-sized dog, athletic and fit. It has a deep chest and a slim waist. The ears are half-covered, the nose is black and there is a coating of black on the tongue. This black tongue is the most distinguishing attribute of the Formosan Mountain Dog. The breed has a strong jaw, the skull that is just slightly longer than the muzzle, which is flat and tapered, triangle face and almond eyes. They have a thick coat and upright, curved tail.

The dogs are known to be extremely agile with an ability to hop that is rare in dogs but helps when hunting animals like rats. The Formosan Mountain Dogs hunted in packs with each dog attacking the prey with one bite until it was too exhausted to fight them off any longer.

antebellum bulldog puppy - descriptionThe Antebellum Bulldog is a recently introduced breed that was developed with an aim of recreating the historic working bulldog or Southern breed. First introduced in the United States, this bulldog was initially bred to be used as a working dog in rice plantations in Altamaha River Valley, a region in South East Georgia.

By nature, the Antebellum Bulldog is an extremely loving, loyal, affectionate, and very intelligent pet. Due to that reason, this breed is a perfect choice for a family dog. If we can get back to history, it’s evident that this dog breed was used in plantation farms to secure the rice from damages caused by cattle and wild hogs. Relating these tasks to the dog’s overall personality, you will find that indeed the Antebellum Bulldog is one such breed that can be trusted as a watchdog in today’s homes.

Appearance

The Antebellum Bulldog is very similar to the American Bulldog only that it’s a little bit larger and bulkier with a proportionally bigger head. These breeds usually range from bigger to biggest with males weighing around 36 to 68 Kg (80—150 pounds) and females 32 to 50 Kg (70—110 pounds). Similar to the American Bulldog, the Antebellum Bulldog has a rough coat, long legs, an athletic body and short tail/ears that don’t require any cropping.

Temperament

Despite of their intimidating appearance, the Antebellum Bulldog is an extremely loving, passionate, and loyal pet that will suit perfectly as a family dog. These dogs will lie down to their masters and will need nothing more than constant company. According to professional breeders, the Antebellum Bulldog is most likely to form a close attachment to one member of the family although they still do enjoy hanging out with the rest of the family members.

As it is the case with most American Bulldogs, the Antebellum Bulldog has a very strong protective instinct that makes it react violently when strangers step into its territories. Something else you need to know about this Bulldog breed is that it does get along well with kids to a point of being overprotective. Since puppies are usually over playful, adults are highly advised to watch out as they can accidentally bowl or knock over your toddler.

Grooming needs

The Antebellum Bulldog doesn’t have to be professionally groomed as is the case with most dog breeds. Apart from a weekly brushing of the coat, the other grooming needs you’re supposed to observe include; regular brushing of the teeth and trimming of nails from an early stage.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

formosan mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Formosan Mountain Dog is very child-friendly. He is affectionate and loyal to his family and protective of his children.

Special talents

He is intelligent and has exceptional hunting skills. He is a good guard dog due to his alertness, but they can be fear-aggressive.

Adaptability

He is very adaptable to living in any location as long as there is somewhere for him to get adequate exercise. He is friendly to people and animals.

Learning ability

He is intelligent and learns quickly.

Children friendliness

antebellum bulldog dog - characteristicsAlthough the Antebellum Bulldog is quite intimidating, this dog can make a great pet thanks to its loving, patient, and extremely tolerant characteristics. This dog enjoys playing with young children as well as other members of the family although proper care should be observed to avoid injuring young toddlers due to their muscular bodies.

Special talents

The Antebellum Bulldog is a protective dog breed with very strong guarding instincts. New visitors will have to be very careful as these dog breeds are quite wary of strangers and will not treat them politely. However, if you become familiar with them, they are likely to know you and later accept you as part of a large family.

Adaptability

Speaking of adaptability, the Antebellum Bulldog is more of a working dog than a household pet. Although some people will prefer to keep them indoors, always ensure that your homestead has a backyard where they can exercise. Otherwise, these dog breed will prefer to be kept in rural areas where there are vast tracks of land for them to play on.

Learning ability

Finally, the Antebellum Bulldog is an intelligent dog with a very sharp memory. However, due to their extremely playful nature, they can become very stubborn and messy. Therefore, owners are advised to train them early enough before they are fully grown.

Health Problems

formosan mountain dog puppies - health problemsBecause there have not been any studies done on the health of the Formosan Mountain Dog, there is not a lot known about any inherent or genetic health issues. It would seem that some bloodlines are healthy, and others have some serious issues. Especially because there are no studies, it is important for breeders to test for eye issues and skeletal issues through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation.

Some of the health issues the Formosan Mountain Dog might be susceptible to.

  1. Dysplasia: Hip and/or Elbow
  2. Can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  3. Luxating Patella
  4. Floating or dislocated kneecap
  5. PRA – Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  6. Degeneration of the retina – causes blindness
  7. Cataracts
  8. Can be removed/causes sight issues or blindness
  9. Mange Demodex/Demodicosis/Demodectic
  10. Caused by mites and can be treated

antebellum bulldog puppies - health problemsThe Antebellum Bulldog has a life expectancy of 12—15 years. Recognized as an emerging breed, this dog doesn’t have many health problems as compared to most other dog breeds. Although these dogs are muscular and very athletic, these breeds suffer from various health conditions which are caused by the nature of their coat. Among the common health problems of the Antebellum Bulldog include

Blindness

One major health problem that affects blue-eyed dog breeds (such as this one) is possible blindness. This condition is usually caused by diabetes, hypertension or Cushing’s syndrome. To treat this condition, you need to take your dog for regular veterinary checkups to know the root cause of the problem.

Hip dysplasia

Another health problem that is very familiar with most Antebellum Bulldogs is hip dysplasia. Since these dog breeds are usually muscular and very huge, this condition is most likely to affect them, especially at an early stage. Dog owners should, therefore, be very familiar with this condition and should take their pets for regular veterinary tests to avoid it.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

formosan mountain dog dogs - caringFeed a high-quality puppy food for medium size dogs at the rate of a ¼ cup twice a day until 8 months then ½ to ¾ twice a day until 12-16 months.

Feeding the adult

1 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food split into 2 meals per day.

Points for Good Health

Generally healthy breed. Keep clean and watch for mites.

Games and Exercises

This is an energetic breed and he needs a lot of exercise. He must have at least an hour of exercise daily but the more, the better. He loves swimming and jogging with his people. He’s athletic, smart and agile. He does well with field trials, tracking, agility, and obedience.

Feeding the puppy

antebellum bulldog dogs - caringFeeding an Antebellum Bulldog is much similar to feeding other dogs. Owners are highly advised to stick to high-quality hypoallergenic diets that are rich in vitamins and nutrients. Now, since Antebellum Bulldog puppies are usually playful, feeding them with high nutrient food thrice a day will really help. Always avoid feeding your puppies with processed foods or foods with artificial sugars as they can expose the puppies to severe health problems.

Feeding the adult

When feeding senior Antebellum Bulldog, there are some small changes you’ll need to make. First, these dogs will require high-quality foods that are easy to digest. Wet foods are perfect for Antebellum Bulldogs as they will help to keep them hydrated. Buy dog foods low in calories and rich in essential vitamins and nutrients to match your dog’s energy.

Points for good health

Antebellum Bulldog can add extra weight if proper care is not observed when feeding them. Due to this reason, these dogs should be fed depending on their level of activity to avoid cases of obesity.

Games and exercises

Since their ancestors were used to guard rice plantations in Altamaha, Antebellum Bulldogs are very energetic and highly suited in rural settings over indoor lifestyle. However, if you decide to keep these dogs as pets in your households, it’s advisable that you provide them with some playing space in the backyard.

When it comes to training the Antebellum Bulldog, owners are advised to train them to be obedient at an early stage as they can get really stubborn in the future. These dogs are very intelligent and they never forget what they learn once they’ve mastered it.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. French Spaniel vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Formosan Mountain Dog vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  5. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  6. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  7. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  8. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  9. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  10. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  11. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  12. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  13. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  14. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  15. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  16. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  17. Shikoku vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  18. Slovakian Hound vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  19. Small Munsterlander vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  20. Sussex Spaniel vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  21. Kooikerhondje vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  23. West Siberian Laika vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  24. Wetterhoun vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  25. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Alaskan Malamute vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  28. Bullmastiff vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  29. Great Pyrenees vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  30. Boerboel vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  31. Presa Canario vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  33. Labrador Husky vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  34. Argentine Dogo vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  35. Giant Schnauzer vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  36. Belgian Shepherd vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  37. Goldador vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  38. Bandog vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  39. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  40. Dogo Cubano vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  41. Dogo Sardesco vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  42. Beauceron vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  43. Central Asian Shepherd vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  44. Mackenzie River Husky vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  45. Black Russian Terrier vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  46. German Longhaired Pointer vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  47. Pyredoodle vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  48. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  49. Lurcher vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  50. Maremma Sheepdog vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds