Taigan: characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, temperament, care

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

Taigan is a subspecies of native dogs from Kyrgyzstan, lives mainly in the mountainous regions of the Tien Shan. The breed is considered unrecognized by the IFF. 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 discouraged small breed - In total, there are from 300 to 1000 suitable for breeding individuals in the hands of private breeders and hunting enthusiasts.

Taigans are characterized by an appearance similar to the phenotype of other Asian greyhounds. There are some features - a fairly massive, strong skeleton. The growth of the animal is medium or high, the muscles are well developed, clearly traced. The head with a smooth foot has an elongated shape, rather large, dry, rough molding. Ears hang on the sides of the head, well pubescent.

Taigans have a straight back without dips and bends, the tail is long, reaches the hock joint, the tip is bent in an annular manner, does not straighten due to a genetic anomaly - fusion of the vertebrae. The limbs are strong, properly set.The dog has a shiny, tight-fitting coat. On the legs, sides, femoral and shoulder parts are formed tow. There are no clear color restrictions; various colors of the coat are allowed:

• Chubaray;
• black, with white marks;
• white
• fawn;
• gray
• red.

In all colors, let’s say tan. The undercoat grows actively in the winter, with the onset of cold weather. The hairs have a pronounced waviness, curl.

Taigans are characterized by a height at the withers of 65-70 cm, dogs are proportionate, demonstrate ease of movement. The body is elongated, has an elongated shape. The front and hind legs are well developed.

The breed is used in fishing for burrowing animals - marmots, badgers, foxes. In group hunting, taigans are effective in the extraction of argali, mountain sheep, and baiting of wolves. Dogs are distinguished by their fearless, balanced character, good health, and unpretentiousness in keeping.

Taigans are typical representatives of the hunting breed. Animals are distinguished by 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 are excellent and can be used to protect flocks and herds during grazing.

From the pelvis (plain greyhound) they are distinguished by a more elongated body format, and a plentiful coat. In addition, the taigans look quite 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 automobile - up to 55 km / h in a straight line. Another Taigan twin breed is the bakhmul or the native Afghan hound. Even a specialist is difficult to determine 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 distinguished by its independence of character. It is almost impossible to train in the conventional sense. Thanks to high intelligence, the dog successfully interacts with the owner, but it always makes decisions itself. Such independence can create serious difficulties during the maturation of the animal.

Among the advantages of the breed are noted:

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

Taigans are very energetic dogs, demonstrating a high need for physical activity. The animals of this breed are highly developed leadership qualities, they are well-versed in any situation, 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 quite stable, balanced, they calmly endure loneliness. Light phlegmatism 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 in the four walls of a city apartment is not for these freedom-loving dogs. The correct physical development of the puppy can give only regular free walk. The best solution will 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 taigan still has to live in an apartment, it is worth paying great attention to providing it with sufficient volumes of physical activity. You will have to walk the dog 2-3 hours a day, in the mornings and evenings. When moving, it is more often necessary to change the dog’s gait, use rugged terrain to move it.

The nutrition of Taigan dogs in the natural conditions of their residence - in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan - occurs almost without the participation of the owner. The animal itself receives and obtains food, can do without water for a long time. But with proper maintenance, eating a greyhound should not be forgotten. Dogs need food 2-3 times a day, free access to the drinker 24 hours a day.

Puppies need to be fed more often. Until six months, they receive 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 should eat fully, with a predominance of the protein component in the diet.

Among the options for such nutrition, it is worth considering specialized dry granules focused on active and large dogs. Ready-made feeds are more suitable for them, taking into account all the significant points in the work of the gastrointestinal tract of the dog.

When drawing up a natural diet, attention should be paid to the inclusion of protein, fiber, carbohydrates in the pet’s diet, minimizing the fat component. 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 - pearl-barley, buckwheat.

Taigan is a long-haired breed, and its outer hair, with proper care, looks very presentable. To preserve the beauty of the coat, it is worth giving your pet maximum attention. How to properly care for the dog, will tell the breeder in the kennel. Of course, the Kirghiz themselves do not care too much for combing or washing the dog’s coat. But with home, apartment 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. Grooming wool Necessarily necessary for representatives of this breed. Long and thin, it easily tangles, requires the use of special compounds to prevent the appearance of warlocks. Combing should be a daily ritual, a puppy should also be trained to it, so that an adult animal can tolerate the procedure more easily. Bathing tigans need no more than 3-4 times a year or as the contamination of the coat.
2. Hanging ear shape requires careful care of their inside. Sinks need to be inspected, cleaned of dirt and plaque, fat deposits. A cotton pad is used for care, it is moistened in a disinfectant solution.
3. Eyes dogs must be inspected daily. Contaminations accumulating in them require regular removal, especially if the pet spends a lot of time in the air, comes into contact with sand, dust, and other irritants. When cleaning the corners of the eye, the same cotton pads moistened with infusion of chamomile or tea leaves are used. If the abundance or nature of the discharge changes, you should consult a doctor.
4. Taigan brushing - obligatory procedure. It must be carried out at least once a month, in the interval you can offer various goodies, cartilage. If you find tartar, bleeding gums, you will need to consult a veterinarian.
5. Claw care dogs are held as needed. Cropping may be required for a broken area of ​​keratinized tissue. In addition, you will have to use a claw cutter 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, being in the forest. At least once every six months, dogs need to be given anthelmintic drugs, to update preventive vaccinations.

Care of a taigan should take into account the features of their physical condition. Typically, these dogs show strong immunity, and do not cause trouble, surviving to old age (17-18 years). But they may have bone diseases - the main burden when running, problems with the eyes fall on the skeleton. Like other greyhounds, taigan often has problems with the digestive tract and may require an individual diet.

It is very important to observe certain rules in the education of Taigans. The breed requires a lot of attention - it is suitable for avid hunters who devote a lot of time to developing the working qualities of a dog. Dog handlers recommend dragging animals to the beast at special pick-up stations, where conditions are created for the full satisfaction of movement needs. Here, the hunting instinct awakens most quickly. It’s not worth delaying - the first trips should take place during the puppy’s growth period.

The optimal age for starting 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, both the endurance and breathing skills of the greyhound will meet the requirements. In addition, when working at the petting station in dogs, the psyche is formed, which is necessary for fearless work both through eye contact and on the trail left on the ground.

Possessing a developed instinct of a hunter and inexhaustible energy, a taigan requires long walks, intense physical exertion, needs attention and human society. When learning commands, the dog masters them quite easily, thanks to the developed intellectual abilities, but is in no hurry to execute without the need.

Due to the fact that the Taigans are quite wary of strangers, when they are kept in the family, it is worth avoiding their accustoming to one owner. Will be better, if dogs will be actively occupied by every person. During feeding, walking, this will allow you to find contact with the animal, will relieve problems with his daily obedience.

About Taigan dogs, see the next video.