Taiwan Dog puppies

About the Taiwan Dog

The Taiwan Dog descends from the hunting dogs of the island's indigenous peoples, used to track and hold game in mountain forest, and they still look the part: lean and agile, 43 to 51 cm tall and 11.8 to 18.1 kg, with a short hard coat, prick ears and a sickle tail. This is a primitive landrace rather than a manufactured show breed. Taiwan Dogs are alert, fast moving, devoted to their own household and naturally suspicious of people they do not know.

Energy is high and this dog needs daily running, climbing and problem solving rather than a stroll. Grooming is a weekly brush. They learn quickly but think independently, and prey drive plus real athleticism means secure fencing and a lead in open country. Early and continued socialisation is essential, since natural wariness can tip into reactivity without it. The breed suits an experienced, active owner. Buy one for their looks alone and you may soon find a bored dog scaling the garden fence.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Taiwan Dog puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. This is a very high energy breed. The mistake owners make is trying to tire them out physically. Training, scentwork and puzzles will do more than distance ever will. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed and scored for
• Patellar luxation, graded by a veterinary orthopaedic exam
• Dental disease, kept down by regular tooth brushing and veterinary checks

Your Taiwan Dog puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Taiwan Dog.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 11.8 to 18.1 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 30 inch (30 x 20 x 23 in, 76 x 51 x 58 cm) for an adult of up to 18.1 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other medium breeds

More on the Taiwan Dog

Previous: Swedish Vallhund · Next: Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Taiwan Dog breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/taiwan-dog/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Cho Hsun Lu, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.