Formosan Mountain Dog vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison

Formosan Mountain Dog vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed ComparisonFormosan Mountain Dog is originated from Taiwan but Dutch Smoushond is originated from Netherlands. Formosan Mountain Dog may grow 9 cm / 4 inches higher than Dutch Smoushond. Formosan Mountain Dog may weigh 7 kg / 16 pounds more than Dutch Smoushond. Formosan Mountain Dog may live 3 years less than Dutch Smoushond. Formosan Mountain Dog may have more litter size than Dutch Smoushond. Formosan Mountain Dog requires Low maintenance. But Dutch Smoushond requires Moderate 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

dutch smoushond - historyThe Dutch Smoushond, known also as the Hollandse Smoushond ,Hollandse Herdershond

or Dutch Ratter is a small to medium sized dog. The Smoushondenclub was formed in 1905 as it was thought that the breed was dying out and they wanted to register the dog as a purebred breed.

It is believed that the dog’s origins may have to do with the Schnauzer breed. It was in 1973 that a number of breeders looked to reconstruct the breed, using Border Terrier crosses.

Today this rare breed is popular in the Netherlands, but not particularly well known anywhere else. In 2001 it was recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale as well as by the United Kennel Club in the United States.

Although the dog was once a skilled ratter, most Dutch Smoushond are kept as companion dogs.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Companion dog
Origin:
Taiwan
Netherlands
Height Male:
48 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
35 - 43 cm
13 - 17 inches
Height Female:
43 - 47 cm
16 - 19 inches
35 - 43 cm
13 - 17 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
9 - 11 kg
19 - 25 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 16 kg
26 - 36 pounds
9 - 11 kg
19 - 25 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
10 - 13
2 - 6
Size:
Medium dog
Medium 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
Dutch Terrier, Dutch Ratter
Colors Available:
earthly yellow, Black, or yellow
Yellowish, straw color
Coat:
smooth and oily
Rough, shaggy, wiry medium length
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
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.

dutch smoushond puppy - descriptionThe Dutch Smoushond is a small to medium sized dog breed related to the Schnauzer- and Pinscher breed. He stands at about 35 to 43cm at the withers and weighs about 10kg.

He has a rough, shaggy, wiry coat which is waterproof and which is a yellowish or straw color. You’ll notice that the hair around the face is long and fairly straight and forms a beard, eyebrows, and moustache, giving him wise, know-it-all look.

The forelegs are also feathered. He may well give the impression of being ungroomed and untidy with his different length hair. He has floppy ears, the eyes are small and dark, the nose black and the tail is long and feathery, hanging limply when the dog is relaxed.

Temperament:

Easy going, friendly and social, the Dutch Smoushond is a fairly quiet dog, but because he is intelligent and alert, he makes a good watchdog.

When not guarding you, he is cheerful and entertaining. He is an adaptable dog, being able to settle down to life in the city or in the countryside, getting on well with other pets in the home as well as with children.

He is a dog who wants to please, so training him isn’t going to prove difficult. He’ll do well with this training as well as socialization as he becomes obedient, easy-going and relaxed around strangers.

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.

dutch smoushond dog - characteristicsThe Dutch Smoushond, also known as the Dutchie, Dutch Ratter or Dutch Terrier may once have been used as a vermin hunter, but today this terrier dog shares some of the characteristics of the more popular terriers. He may have been a hunter in his day, but more recently he is used as a reliable companion dog.

He tends to be a bit of a barker, particularly when he isn’t getting attention.

He gets on well with other animals in the home as well as with children, but he will need to be trained and socialized. He is lively, friendly and social and is a dog who becomes devoted to his human family.

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

dutch smoushond puppies - health problemsThese dogs are a healthy breed, but nonetheless there are are some health problems that can crop up occasionally.

Ear- and eye infections and joint problems are always a major concern, even in young dogs. Bad diet, old age and being overweight can all contribute to your dog developing joint pain. Joint pain symptoms can include -

difficulty with sitting or lying down

limping or even holding a leg up off the ground

lethargic to take part in any activities

Take your pet to the vet who will examine your pet and perhaps request x-rays.

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.

dutch smoushond dogs - caringThe Dutch Smoushond is basically an easy care breed, and it won’t do to try and tame the coat as the dog has a naturally unkempt look.

You can brush him twice a week to keep the coat free of matting and to remove loose hairs. The Dutch Smoushond may require the hair being plucked and a professional groomer can do this.

At the same time, the groomer can remove excess hair from the ears and also clean your dog’s teeth. This is of critical importance as bad teeth can lead to a host of health problems.

Get into the habit of brushing your pet’s teeth 2 or 3 times a week, making use of special pet approved toothbrush and toothpaste.

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. Golden Doodle vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  27. Pomsky vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  28. Old English Bulldog vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  29. Puggle vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  30. Schnoodle vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  31. Eurasier vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  32. Irish Doodles vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  33. Sanshu vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  34. German Spitz (Mittel) vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  35. Bordoodle vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  36. Pandikona vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  37. Renascence Bulldogge vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  38. Hairless Khala vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  39. Jindo vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  40. Hermes Bulldogge vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  41. Serbian Tricolour Hound vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  42. Kromfohrlander vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  43. Valley Bulldog vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  44. Whoodles vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  45. Mini Sheepadoodles vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  46. Dutch Smoushond vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  47. Dutch Smoushond vs Aussie Poo - Breed Comparison
  48. Dutch Smoushond vs Dalmador - Breed Comparison
  49. Dutch Smoushond vs Elo - Breed Comparison
  50. Beabull vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds