Taigan is the oldest breed of greyhound dog. It is completely unpopular in the world, but at home it is very valuable. An expressive exterior, excellent training and hunting qualities - all this is of high value among those who understand a lot about dogs. What kind of dog is this Taigan? Let's talk about it, we'll find out.
Origin of breed
Taigan is a Kyrgyz greyhound. Initially, the dog was bred to hunt the beast. Large and powerful, she did an excellent job with her task.
A considerable number of legends are associated with the Taigan breed (pictured). Mention of it can be found in the epics, legends and folklore of the natives. One of the most beautiful legends informs our contemporaries that Taigan is the messenger of the gods. The ancestor of today's dogs was a dog named Kumaik. Half dog, half vulture, he belonged to a hero named Manas. Kumaik was so strong and brave that all the other animals trembled before him. Even the lion obediently bowed its head to the descendant of the neck.
Initially, this breed was bred for hunting, as mentioned above. But now it has lost its meaning. Thoroughbred Taigans left just over two hundred.
Exterior
The Taigan dog breed was approved in 1980. Then she received her description.
According to the breed standard, a purebred taigan must have the following appearance:
The head is wedge-shaped, with a wide lower jaw. The transition from forehead to nose without sudden changes, smooth. Mild neck area.
The nose is large and flat. The color of the lobe is usually black. But for light individuals, a brown tint is allowed.
The eyes are oval, not very large. The color can be either brown or dark chocolate.
Ears fit snugly to the head. Hanging, do not have folds. The cartilage is thin, the tips of the ears are rounded.
High set neck. The neck itself is muscular, like most greyhounds. The withers are pronounced.
The extended case. The dog seems hot.
The chest is oval, a little wide. Ribs are not pronounced. The back is even and strong, muscular. The abdomen is tightened up, creating a feeling of sunken.
Paws are long and thin, setting wide. Paws are parallel to each other.
The tail is saber - thin and long. It is assembled in a semicircle, slightly above the hock in a calm state of the dog.
Taigan dog hair is long, wavy and very soft.
The color is dark, brown or gray. Dark colors are combined with light markings or tan marks. Deviations in color - brown, marble or multi-colored blotches.
Character
Taigan dog, photo of which can be seen in the article, the creation is very evil. Representatives of this breed are distrustful of strangers. They have perfectly pronounced security qualities, they will defend their territory to the last.
Breeders of the breed note that Taigans are highly intelligent. So smart that without training everyone understands. So they say in their homeland - in Kyrgyzstan.
This dog belongs to those breeds that can make decisions on their own. Taigan will not wait for the owner to give permission for this or that action. Especially when it comes to danger to households or to the dog itself.
Energetic, very agile and strong breed. These are conquerors of the steppes, tireless leaders, active and very courageous.
The Taigan dog breed can be safely left alone with children. The hierarchical level is very pronounced in these animals, the dog perceives the kids as members of its pack that are lower than it, which means that they cannot be offended. Need to take care and protect.
If another dog lives in the house, the relationship will be permanent. As for cats and other animals, Taigan is a hunter. He may well strangle the cat, not out of evil, with the desire to play and hunt. Therefore, it is desirable to exclude the communication of this representative of the breed with other pets.
Due to the high level of intelligence, taigans are very trainable. But as cynologists note, it is very difficult to train them. The fact is that the dog is extremely independent and does not like it when they try to impose its will on it. Of course, the taigan will not snap back. He will calmly listen to the owner and do it his own way. But you can’t beat an animal, this not only doesn’t make it obey, but you can completely lose the confidence of the taigan. Therefore, all training is only through affection and tenacity of the owner. We will talk about this below.
Training
Taigan breed (pictured) is an excellent learner. But she does not want to do this at all. As mentioned above, the mind of the breed is simply unique. This is an independent dog, which will perfectly make a decision without the intervention of the owner.
How to teach such a miracle? It is worth starting with the fact that Taigan is a hunting dog. And on the hunt, anything can happen. No one is safe from critical situations, and even the smartest and fastest dog can get confused, so she should know elementary commands. Just knowledge is not enough here, you need the ability to instantly respond to commands without hesitation. If the owner shouts "to me", then the dog turns around in a jump and runs to the call. Such obedience can save her life at one far from perfect moment.
You need to deal with taigan puppies from a very early age, as soon as the animal appeared in the house. All teaching is based on the patience and perseverance of the owner. The dog does not know human language. The owner requires the pet to rise to its level, but this can not be done. From such training, nothing but disappointment and mutual misunderstanding will not work. The owner’s task is to go down to the dog’s level and explain in a language that is understandable to her. This is done with the help of goodies and praise, but not with a whipping. If we were beaten at school, would you like to learn from such a teacher? Hardly. Just like a dog, you can win the favor and respect of the Taigan only through a good attitude.
It is necessary to take the pet to the fields and to the attrition stations. Without hunting, he begins to languish, and the seething energy from the peaceful turns into a destructive stream.
Pet care
According to reviews, the Taigan dog is not very whimsical to care for. The only thing that is very important for her is room. An ideal residence for Taigan would be a private house with fields nearby. This energetic hunter has no place in the apartment. He needs to run, walk for two hours in the morning and as much in the evening, and even in the fields and forests. In the city, in this constant bustle, it is almost impossible to satisfy the needs of the animal in long walks.
What else is needed for proper care of your pet?
Every day they examine the ears and eyes of the pet. They are cleaned with a damp cotton pad.
Taigan's coat is long; it needs care. Comb the dog three to four times a week. Entangled hairs are not cut, but carefully disassembled by hand. You need to bathe your dog at least three times a year.
Taigan's teeth are cleaned with dog toothpaste. This is ideal. But Kyrgyz breeders prefer to brush their pets teeth with apples or cartilage. A raw sugar bone with cartilage or a whole sour apple is given.
Claws grind on their own. Or they are trimmed with special claws. How often do this? As the claws grow.
A dog is often in the forest or in the fields. And there are a lot of ticks. After a walk, it is necessary to examine the skin of the animal for the presence of these blood-sucking insects. You can protect the dog from ticks using a special collar from fleas and ticks, drops or sprays.
Vaccinations are given to the dog twice a year. Before carrying out the procedure, it is necessary to give anthelmintic tablets and make sure that parasites do not live inside the dog.
Briefly about feeding
How to feed a Taigan dog breed? Just like any other. Either it's dry food or natural food.
If the choice is made in favor of dry food, then it should be super-premium food or holistic. There is no way to feed an expensive mixture? Then let the dog eat "human" food.
It is unlikely that Kyrgyzstan feeds Taigans with superfoods. Breeders say that dog food consists of meat, vegetables and cereals. As a "toothpaste" give fruit (apples).
The basis of the diet is meat. Lamb or beef. Often fed representatives of the breed and game.
Vegetables are added to the meat. Cook, mix with pieces of raw meat and give the dog.
Cereals in the diet of the animal are required. This is either pearl barley or buckwheat.
Several times a week they give dairy products. In particular, kefir and cottage cheese. Adult dogs do not need milk. Taigan puppies are milked for 2.5-3 months, then this product is excluded from the diet.
How many times a day is a pet fed? Adult dogs participating in hunts or competitions eat two to three times a day. Feeding puppies starts six times and gradually reaches three.
Where to buy a puppy?
Is the Taigan Dog Breed for Sale? It is very difficult to get a purebred dog. There are very few representatives of the breed, and they are mainly located in Kyrgyzstan. True lovers and breeders of Taigans prefer to sell puppies in their country, closer to themselves. This is done so that an adult animal can participate in breeding.
If you are lucky and you can find a puppy, then its price will be 200-300 dollars. Adult dogs are many times more expensive, and it is almost impossible to buy them.
It is interesting
An interesting fact about the Taigan dog breed (pictured). In her homeland they say about her: "Taigan is running - blood is whipping from her ears."
And one more fact: the representatives of the breed are very tall and ferocious. The height at the withers reaches 70 centimeters in males. The bitches are a little lower, but also impressive - 65 centimeters at the withers. It is the bitches that hunt wolves, they are much more fierce and quicker than males.
Due to the fact that the breed is not widespread, there are no owners reviews as such. Only reviews of breeders, indicating the uniqueness of dogs.
Summarize
In the article, we talked about the Taigan dog breed. The main aspects:
This is a Kyrgyz greyhound.
Designed for hunting animals.
You just can't buy a puppy, the breed is small.
Bitches are more angry than males. These are hunting qualities.
The ideal home for Taigan is private, and preferably with forest fields in the area.
Conclusion
The reader got acquainted with the Taigan dog breed. It is hardly possible to get a purebred puppy, but for those who are interested in dogs, the article provided new information to broaden their horizons.