Taigan: characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, temperament, care

Among the Central Asian dog breeds you can find a lot of amazing species with unique exterior and behavioral characteristics. But even among them, the Taigan is distinguished by the purity of the blood, carefully preserved by modern breeders, and by its small number. These hunting greyhounds from birth are adapted to the harsh conditions of the highlands, easily tolerate rarefied air and demonstrate perfectly developed hunting instincts.

Taigan is a subspecies of native dogs from Kyrgyzstan, lives mainly in the mountainous areas of the Tien Shan. The breed is considered unrecognized by the ICF. Accordingly, it does not have a single internationally approved standard. However, it operates at the national level and is adopted by the Federation of hunting dog breeding of the Russian Federation.

International recognition is hindered small breed - total there are from 300 to 1000 suitable for breeding individuals in the hands of private breeders and enthusiastic hunters.

For Taigans characteristic appearance, close to the phenotype of other Asian greyhounds. There are some features - quite massive, strong bones. The growth of the animal is medium or high, the musculature is well developed, clearly traced. The head with a flattened foot has an elongated shape, rather large, dry, rough modeling. Ears hang on the sides of the head, well pubescent.

Taigans have a straight back without failures and bends, the tail is long, comes to the hock, the tip is curved in a circle, not straightened due to a genetic abnormality - fusion of vertebrae. The limbs are strong, the right posture. The dog has a shiny, close-lying coat. Feathers are formed on the paws, sides, thigh and shoulder parts. There are no clear restrictions on color, different colors of coat are allowed:

• Chubaray;
• black with white markings;
• white;
• pale yellow
• gray
• red

In all colors, let's say fell. The undercoat is actively growing in winter, with the onset of cold weather. Tows have a pronounced waviness, curl.

For taigans, the height at the withers is 65-70 cm, dogs are proportioned, demonstrate ease of movement. The body is elongated, has an elongated shape. Front and hind legs are well developed.

Breed is used in commercial animals - marmots, badgers, foxes. In group hunting, Taigans are effective in the extraction of argali, mountain sheep, and harassment of wolves. Dogs differ fearless, balanced character, good health, unpretentious content.

Taigans are typical representatives of the hunting breed. Animals have high intelligence, well distinguish permissions and prohibitions, can become good watchmen. For pets, birds, they are not dangerous. But against the wolves and jackals, the Taigans manifest themselves excellently and can be used to protect flocks and herds during the grazing period.

They are distinguished by a more elongated body format and abundant coat from tazy (plain greyhound). In addition, the Taigans look rather squat, despite the overall height at the withers. This is due to the low center of gravity, helping the dog to develop speeds comparable to those of the automobile - up to 55 km / h in a straight line. Another twin breed of taigan is bacchmul or native Afghan hound. Even a specialist is hard to tell the difference between them.

Since the number of taigans is relatively small, it is rather difficult to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the breed. It is safe to say that this breed is characterized by independence of character. It is almost impossible to subject to training in the conventional sense. Due to the high intelligence, the dog successfully interacts with the owner, but always makes decisions on its own. Such independence can create serious difficulties during the maturation of the animal.

Among the advantages of the breed note:

• fearlessness of character;
• tirelessness;
• excellent speed characteristics;
• a combination of the qualities of greyhounds and hounds (the ability to walk on the smell track);
• move without a voice - without the risk of scaring off the beast;
• ease in changing driving directions even at speed;
• minimum food requirements;
• adaptation to different conditions of detention.

Taigans are very energetic dogs that demonstrate a high need for physical activity. Leadership qualities are well developed in animals of this breed, they are well oriented in any situation, and quickly make decisions. Developed territorial instincts make Taigans good watchmen, they cope with the tasks of protecting the territory.

The psyche of this breed of alpine greyhounds is fairly stable, balanced, they calmly tolerate loneliness. Light phlegm is replaced by activity only on the hunt, at the time of maximum concentration of the animal.

Keeping taigans requires creating comfortable conditions for them. Living within the four walls of a city apartment is not for these freedom-loving dogs. The correct physical development of the puppy can only give a regular free range. The best solution would be the courtyard of a private house, equipped with an aviary for games and recreation. Here you can place various shelters, obstacles, equip a small training ground.

If the Taigans still have to live in an apartment, it is worth paying much attention to ensuring its sufficient physical activity. The dog will have to walk for 2-3 hours a day, in the mornings and evenings. When moving, it is often necessary to change the dog's gait, to use the rugged terrain to move.

Nutrition of Taigan dogs in the natural conditions of their residence - in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan - takes place practically without the participation of the owner. The animal itself receives and obtains food, can do without water for a long time. But with the right content, do not forget about borzoi feeding. Dogs need food 2-3 times a day, free access to the drinker 24 hours a day.

Puppies need to be fed more often. Up to six months, they get food up to 6 times a day, then there is a gradual reduction in the frequency of meals. Calorie intake is calculated based on the level of physical activity. Workers - hunting or participating in competitions - dogs must eat fully, with a predominance of the protein component in the diet.

Among the options for such nutrition is to consider specialized dry granules, aimed at active and large dogs. They are more suitable ready-made food, taking into account all the important moments in the gastrointestinal tract of the dog.

In the preparation of a natural diet, attention should be paid to the inclusion of protein, fiber, carbohydrates in the pet's diet, minimizing the fat content. Among the useful products include:

• lean meat, lamb, beef, chicken;
• fermented milk products - cottage cheese, yogurt, kefir;
• boiled eggs;
• ocean fish (not more than 1 time per week);
• cereals - barley, buckwheat.

Taigan is a long-haired breed, and its guard hair with proper care looks very presentable. To preserve the beauty of the coat, it is necessary to give your pet maximum attention. The breeder in the kennel will tell you how to care for the dog. Of course, the Kyrgyz themselves do not care too much about combing or washing the dog's fur. But at home, housing maintenance issues of dog hygiene are always particularly acute.

Among the binding recommendations for caring for the Taigans, the following points should be noted.

1. Wool grooming necessarily necessary representatives of this breed. Long and thin, it is easily tangled, requires the use of special compounds to prevent the appearance of tangles. Combing should be a daily ritual, even a puppy should be taught to it, so that an adult animal can tolerate the procedure more easily. Taigans need bathing no more than 3-4 times a year or as the coat is polluted.
2. Hanging ear shape requires careful maintenance of their inside. Sinks need to inspect, clean from dirt and plaque, fat deposits. A cotton pad is used for the care; it is moistened in a disinfecting solution.
3. Eyes Dogs should be inspected daily. Contaminants accumulating in them require regular removal, especially if the pet spends a lot of time on the air and is in contact with sand, dust, and other irritants. When cleaning the corners of the eye, all the same cotton pads moistened with the extract of chamomile or tea leaves are used. If you change the abundance or nature of the discharge should consult a doctor.
4. Teygan teeth cleaning - mandatory procedure. It should be done at least once a month, in the interval you can offer various delicacies, cartilage. When detecting tartar, the appearance of bleeding gums will need to consult a veterinarian.
5. Claw care dogs are held as needed. Cropping may require a broken horny tissue site. In addition, it is necessary to use a clipper if contact with natural abrasives does not give sufficient results.
6. Antiparasitic treatment - an important complex of care for a dog in contact with wild animals in the forest. At least once a semester, anthelmintic drugs should be given to dogs, preventive vaccines should be updated.

Caring for the taigan must take into account the peculiarities of their physical condition. Usually these dogs show strong immunity and do not cause trouble, living to their old age (17-18 years old). But they may have bone diseases - the main burden falls on the skeleton when running, eye problems.Like other greyhound breeds, the taigan often has problems with the digestive tract and may require an individual diet.

In raising Taigans it is very important to follow certain rules. The breed requires a lot of attention to itself - it is suitable for avid hunters who devote a lot of time to developing the working qualities of a dog. Canine experts recommend training animals to the beast at special prefraction stations, where conditions are created to fully meet the needs for movement. Here the hunting instinct is most quickly awakened. Do not delay - the first departure should occur in the period of growth of the puppy.

The optimum for the start of training is considered to be from 3 to 4 months, it is during this period that the active formation of musculoskeletal tissue occurs. With the early development of working qualities and endurance and breathing skills greyhound will meet the requirements. In addition, when working at the preparatory station in dogs, the psyche is formed, which is necessary for fearless work both on eye contact and on the trail left on the ground.

Possessing a hunter’s developed instinct and inexhaustible energy, Taigan requires long walks, intense physical exertion, needs attention and society. When learning commands, a dog quite easily masters them, thanks to his developed intellectual abilities, but he does not hurry to perform it unnecessarily.

Due to the fact that the Taigans are rather wary of strangers, when they are kept in a family, they should avoid being trained to the same owner. Will be better, if the dogs will be actively engaged in each person. During feeding, walking, this will allow you to find contact with the animal, will relieve you of problems with its daily obedience.

About dogs breed Taigan see in the next video.