Formosan Mountain Dog vs Finnish Hound - Breed Comparison

Formosan Mountain Dog vs Finnish Hound - Breed ComparisonFinnish Hound is originated from Finland but Formosan Mountain Dog is originated from Taiwan. Finnish Hound may grow 10 cm / 4 inches higher than Formosan Mountain Dog. Finnish Hound may weigh 7 kg / 16 pounds more than Formosan Mountain Dog. Both Finnish Hound and Formosan Mountain Dog has same life span. Finnish Hound may have less litter size than Formosan Mountain Dog. Both Finnish Hound and Formosan Mountain Dog requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Sporting dog
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Finland
Taiwan
Height Male:
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
48 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
52 - 62 cm
20 - 25 inches
43 - 47 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
20 - 25 kg
44 - 56 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
20 - 25 kg
44 - 56 pounds
12 - 16 kg
26 - 36 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
10 - 13
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Finsk Stovare
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
Colors Available:
Black, tan and white tri-color
earthly yellow, Black, or yellow
Coat:
Short and smooth
smooth and oily
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

finnish houndAs one of Finland’s most popular dogs, the Finnish Hound isn’t particularly well known outside of Finnish borders. Known also as the Finsk Stovare, the Finnish Hound, known for its hunting skills, came about because of a breeding effort which started way back in the 1800s, mixing dogs such as different French, Swedish, and German hounds.

These hounds were used with the idea being to develop a dog that could do well in Finland’s terrain. The Finnish Hound is a great hunting dog but isn’t looked upon as an particularly awesome pet, although some pet owners would beg to differ.

formosan mountain dogThe 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

Description

finnish hound puppy - descriptionThis is a medium sized dog who stands between 52 – 62cm in height and weighs in at 20 to 25kg. The Finnish Hound can have between 4 – 8 puppies.As a scent-hound, the Finnish Hound has a short, smooth double coat which is usually in a tri-color pattern of black, tan, and white.

The attractive dog has an athletic, lean, muscular body full of energy and stamina. The eyes are brown and the dog has a peaceful expression. The medium length ears are floppy and the tail is long and carried low.

Temperament:

The Finnish Hound is friendly, calm and never aggressive. He is an intelligent dog nd will respond to the training and socialization he will require to turn him into an obedient, amicable pet, especially since he tends to be stubbon, independent and strong-willed. He isn’t recommended for small places in the city but will do better in the country with a fairy large piece of ground. The Finnish Hound is not recommended for apartment life. It is moderately active indoors and does best with at least an average-sized yard.

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.

Characteristics

finnish hound dog - characteristicsThe Finnish Hound has always been a working dog and so he will require being well exercised.

He makes a good pet with homes where there are other dogs as well as children. As a hunting or working dog, these days the Finnish Hound is also regarded as a companion animal, fitting into family life well, and turning out to be a loving, loyal pet.

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.

Health Problems

finnish hound puppies - health problemsThe Finnish Hound is looked upon as a generally healthy breed who can get to 12 years of age if looked after well. Good nutrition plays a huge role towards excellent health.

Check out common health ailments that can affect most dogs such as dental disease, obesity, hip dysplasia and a serious condition for which these dogs are particularly known – cerebellar ataxia. Lesions in the brain affect the dog’s coordination and sight. Get him to the vet as soon as you detect anything unusual with your pet.

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

Caring The Pet

Diet:

finnish hound dogs - caringAs a medium-sized dog breed, you want to make sure to feed your dog a high-quality commercial dog food – one that has been formulated with the right amount of vitamins and minerals for the type of dog he is.

He is a high-energy hunting breed, so you wan to find a food that is appropriate to his needs. Home cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken can be added into his kibble as a change and a treat from time to time as well as some raw meat occasionally. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

Physically active and mentally balanced and intelligent, the Finnish Hound will require both physical and mental stimulation to prevent him from becoming bored and frustrated.

Grooming:

As an average shedder, your pet's smooth, short-haired coat is easy to keep in tip top condition. All that is really required is to brush the coat down twice a week to keep it in peak condition.

Don’t neglect to check the inside of the dogs ears, as too much dirt and wax can cause nasty ear infections. Also, the teeth need to be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week with special canine toothpaste and toothbrush. This will ward off tooth decay and lots of other problems within the body brought about by bad teeth.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Finnish Hound vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Finnish Hound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Finnish Hound vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Finnish Hound vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Finnish Hound vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Finnish Hound vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Finnish Hound vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Finnish Hound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Finnish Hound vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Finnish Hound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Finnish Hound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Finnish Hound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Finnish Hound vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Finnish Hound vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Finnish Hound vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Finnish Hound vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Finnish Hound vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Finnish Hound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Finnish Hound vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Finnish Hound vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Finnish Hound vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Finnish Hound vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Finnish Hound vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Finnish Hound vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Finnish Hound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Formosan Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Formosan Mountain Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Formosan Mountain Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Formosan Mountain Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison