Taiwan Dog

Dog Breed Profile

Taiwan Dog History

The Taiwan Dog is an ancient Chinese mastiff-type breed of canine. It is considered to be one of the oldest surviving native landraces. The Taiwan Dog is one of the rarest and least known of the Chinese landraces, and people are only aware of its existence due to the small number of specimens that still exist. The population is estimated between 500 and 1,000 individuals, and is declining rapidly.

Time of Origin

Ancient

Country of Origin

Taiwan

Ancestry

Unknown

Taiwan Dog Physical Characteristics

The Taiwan Dog is a small, medium, or large-sized breed of dog that is indigenous to and endemic to the island of Taiwan. It is a medium sized, short-coated, hairless, and muscular breed, with a short tail. The head is large, triangular and wedge-shaped, with massive jaws, and strongly developed teeth. The body is thick, powerful and compact. The legs are short and strong, and are generally covered with fur. The feet and pads are thick and tough, and have tufted hairs. The coat of the adult is thin and tight, but the hair on the puppy is longer. The coat is white, gray, or reddish in color. The color of the nose, lips and eye rims is dark. The tip of the tail is black, the body is white, and the tail is without a tuft of hair. The ears are small, erect, and pointed. The eyes of the adult are clear, with a hazel tint. The legs, ears, and muzzle are darker than those of the young.

Eye Colors

Brown

Nose Colors

Black

Coat Colors

Pied, Black, Fawn, Brindle, White

Height Range

Male Height Range: 19 – 20 inches

Female Height Range: 17 – 19 inches

Weight Range

Male Weight Range: 31 – 40 lbs

Female Weight Range: 26 – 35 lbs

Taiwan Dog Health

Description of breed health.

Lifespan

10-13 yrs

Taiwan Dog Health Concerns

Elbow Dysplasia, Canine Hip Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Patellar Luxation, Cataracts, Canine Glaucoma

Taiwan Dog Temperament and Behaviour

The Taiwan Dog is an energetic, playful and intelligent dog. They are friendly and sociable with their owners, but may be a bit wary of strangers. They get along well with children of all ages and with other dogs and animals, but can sometimes become aggressive with strange cats.

Taiwan Dog Activity Requirements

Taiwan Dogs are a relatively new breed of dog, with their origin dating back to the 1970s. They are a crossbreed variety that resulted from two native Taiwanese dogs and an Akita, a hunting dog from Japan. These dogs are petite, weighing around 20 pounds on average. They are known for being intelligent, gentle, and loyal. While most Taiwan Dogs are well-suited to living in a home, they are better suited to cooler climates. In warmer areas, they are prone to overheating and may need to stay indoors. When properly cared for, however, they are generally healthy. They live an average of 15 to 17 years.