Mixed vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Formosan Mountain Dog is originated from Taiwan but Mixed is originated from United States. Formosan Mountain Dog may grow 58 cm / 22 inches shorter than Mixed. Formosan Mountain Dog may weigh 94 kg / 207 pounds lesser than Mixed. Formosan Mountain Dog may live 8 years less than Mixed. Both Formosan Mountain Dog and Mixed has almost same litter size. Formosan Mountain Dog requires Low Maintenance. But Mixed requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Companion dog
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Taiwan
United States
Height Male:
48 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
9 - 110 cm
3 - 44 inches
Height Female:
43 - 47 cm
16 - 19 inches
9 - 110 cm
3 - 44 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
2 - 112 kg
4 - 247 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 16 kg
26 - 36 pounds
2 - 112 kg
4 - 247 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
9 - 20 Years
Litter Size:
10 - 13
1 - 12
Size:
Medium
Large
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
Cross breed, mutt, cur, mongrel
Colors Available:
earthly yellow, Black, or yellow
cream, tri-colored, Brown, tan, black, white, bi-colored, liver, chocolate
Coat:
smooth and oily
Short to long, single or double-coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

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

Many people are inclined to think that mixed breed or cross-breed dogs, also known as mutts or mongrels or designer dogs are just pavement specials. They think they look nothing much better than junkyard mutts.

This may be so, but not always, and these mixed breed dogs always seem to have hearts of gold. A Mixed breed is a dog that has parent’s who aren’t registered and who come from different breeds. In other words the parents aren’t of the same breed.

Guessing a cross breed’s ancestry can be difficult as these mixed-breeds have more genetic variation than pure breeds. They've been around since ancient times. The dogs originate in different countries and they all have different coats, different sizes and different temperaments.

It is sad but true – there are literally millions of mixed dogs worldwide, some of which never know what it is to live with- and be lovingly cared for by a human being.

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.

Sometimes Mixed dog breeds come about from two dogs meeting on the streets and mating or it could be two pure-breeds accidentally mating, resulting in a mixed breed.

The mixed breed dog puppy could inherit looks from just the one purebred parent so that he grows up looking like a pure-breed. With a cross breed the standard for breeding isn’t the same for purebreds where the appearance and temperament is more or less the same.

A mixed breed dog doesn’t have these standards to conform to and they are as varied and unique as the colors in the rainbow. It’s not possible to know what a mixed breed dog’s puppies will look like. A typical example of a mixed breed is a Labradoodle. People love the temperament of the Labrador but they want the low shedding qualities of the Poodle as well.

Mixed breed dogs can be small or large and that means different litter sizes. If you don’t want your Mixed dog breed becoming a parent, you can spay or neuter your dog.

Temperament:

There are many people who avoid choosing a ridiculously high priced pure breed puppy and they prefer to choose a mixed breed. This is partly because these mixed breed dogs are healthy, resilient and nearly always a good match for you and your family.

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.

Doesn’t matter what your Mixed breed dog looks like – he is a unique individual and you can never really predict what kind of a character he will turn out to be.

He might inherit a bit of placid behavior from one parent and a bit of clownish behavior from the other. It’s what makes them so special.

Ask most dog lovers who have owned a mixed breed and you will usually hear them say that they wouldn’t trade their amazing loyal and devoted pet for all the money in the world.

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

All dogs, whether pure breeds or mixed breeds, need to be excellently cared for. When you consider the unconditional love your dog gives you, you want to ensure that you’re kind and loving towards him.

Every dog can be prone to common dog illnesses and there are some genetic predispositions for dogs with certain breeds within them.

Dental Disease:

All dogs can battle with problem teeth, but it appears to be more rife with smaller dogs. Dental disease starts with tartar build-up and when it isn’t removed from the teeth it progresses towards infection of the gums and teeth.

What you need to know is that not caring for the teeth can mean your pet losing his teeth but also putting your dog in danger of joint disease and problems with the kidneys and heart.

Obesity:

Obesity is a huge factor in small- and large dogs and can pave the way for other diseases with your pet. Being obese can shorten the life of your pet because it contributes to heart disease, digestive disorders, back pain and joint problems.

Parasites:

Fleas, ticks, mites and worms can play havoc with the health of your pet. Some of these parasites can then be transmitted from your pet to you. Parasites can cause pain, weight loss and even death for your pet so it is important to be vigilant in these matters.

Bloat, when the stomach twists and fills with gas as well as cancer and heart disease are just some of the more common diseases to look out for.

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.

Good nutritious food, exercise, grooming, a dry place to sleep, taking your pet to the vet when he is sick as well as plenty of love and attention will ensure your Mixed dog breed’s health and happiness.

  • Brush his coat twice a week.
  • Check the ears and eyes for infection.
  • Check his teeth and be careful what you give your pet to chew on.

Keep die diet of your pet simple and consistent to avoid digestive problems. Quality commercially manufactured food is a good choice. Boiled chicken, brown rice and cooked or raw vegetables will be excellent added into your dog’s kibble from time to time. Add in some raw meat occasionally as it is good for warding off skin diseases.

Exercise your pet regularly, but don’t overdo it with young dogs as it can lead to joint problems later on in life.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Mixed vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Mixed vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Mixed vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Mixed vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Mixed vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Mixed vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Mixed vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Mixed vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Mixed vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Mixed vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Mixed vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Mixed vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Mixed vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Mixed vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Mixed vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Mixed vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Mixed vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Mixed vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Mixed vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Mixed vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Mixed vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Mixed vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Mixed vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Mixed vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Mixed 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