Taigan | Dog Breed Facts and Information - Wag! Dog Walking (2024)

50-70 lbs

21-25"

Kyrgyzstan

Taigan Health

The story of the Taigan is said to have begun when the dog descended from the mythical bird dog. In the legend, an egg was stolen from the mountain vulture Kumai's nest. Upon hatching, a puppy emerged and became a legend who saved the tribe from starvation by dispatching the wolf packs that were attacking their cattle. In history, this sighthound has been part of the nomadic tribe's lives as they journeyed through Central Asia and Siberia. The strong and hardy Taigan was at home in the remote rugged terrain encountered by the tribes, and the dog was very adaptable, reliable and treasured for their hunting abilities. In fact, the Taigan is more than capable of taking on a wolf and winning the fight. At one stage this courageous dog was on the brink of extinction, as the nomadic way of life gave way to settlements. There was no longer the need for the hunting dog and a lot of the Taigan's became strays. To make matters worse, a campaign to kill off the many stray dogs further reduced their population. Fortunately, a few breed enthusiasts worked to preserve the dogs, but it wasn't until 1964 when the USSR laid the first standard for the breed. When Kyrgyzstan gained their independence in 1991 the people were free to return to their nomadic ways and the Taigan's were again in partnership and word spread to others how this amazing dog was. The Taigan breed is now showing a reversal of their decline and numbers are slowly growing. They are now considered a national treasure of the country.

Taigan Breed Appearance

Regal and dignified, the Taigan has a lovely classical appearance. Slender yet strong, average in height and with a thick soft coat that grows an undercoat for the winter, the Taigan has a strong but not heavy body shape with a long neck that supports their massive wedge-shaped head. Large oval shaped brown or hazel eyes, a black lustrous nose, and strong white teeth that meet in a scissors bite combine to make an attractive face with a calm, almost noble, expression. Well-formed shoulders slope to a deep wide chest, and then follow through to a narrow but muscular body that finishes in a sword-shaped tail that ends in a ring shape at the tip. The Taigan is protected by several areas of longer hair that cover their ears, the thighs and the shins. Thick coarse hair on their feet acts like protective shoes in rugged terrain. The most common color for the Taigan is black with white markings, but they do come in just black, brown, grey, white and yellow. The Taigan's name means undying, inextinguishable and imperishable - and that explains this wonderful dog perfectly.

Taigan Breed Maintenance

The Taigan has a lovely coat that requires brushing regularly to keep it in top condition. Tangles can become embedded within the longer coat hair if regular maintenance is not maintained. Bathing is not a requirement; their coat seems to be almost self-cleaning, although occasionally when needed a rub down with a damp cloth can remove any surface dirt. The Taigan has large paws with coarser hair around them to protect the dog when traversing rough terrain. Check your dog's feet and body if your dog is a working dog and hunting for their living. This dog doesn't slow down for injury, so make sure you treat any cuts or abrasions, trim their nails and wipe out their ears to prevent infection. Apart from these chores, their teeth will need brushing about three times per week minimum. Other than that, the Taigan is a strong, healthy dog who is a pleasure to own.

Taigan Temperament

Elegant, mysterious, regal and yet energetic and a persistent hunter, the Taigan is all of these. This dog is very loyal and yet is not pushy or fawning around those they love. They are very dignified and like to be treated fairly and kindly. You will get nowhere with rough handling with this dog, they will not tolerate it. This is one dog that is often considered on par with their owner, not below them. They have a quiet dignity and make a lot of their own decisions, especially when out hunting. Many of the locals have relied on these swift hunters to provide meat for the table, and skins of their prey are in demand in the markets. While the Taigan has anundying devotion to their owner and family, they are often mistrustful of strangers although not aggressive. They demonstrate a calm demeanor around other dogs, but smaller quick moving pets may not fare so well. The Taigan has a very strong hunting instinct which is hard to overcome, even if they are raised with smaller pets. Beautiful, resourceful, and a great companion - this is one dog that exceeds all expectations when in their natural wild surroundings.

Taigan Activity Requirements

The Taigan is a very active dog, with a high energy drive and unwavering persistence on the hunt. They are not suited to apartment living and even city living is questionable. This dog needs room in the country to run and explore the land, they need to exercise and therefore, they make ideal companions for the hunter or for hikers who explore tougher terrain than most of their peers. The Taigan is unsurpassed as a cross country runner, and adapts well to rugged terrain. Farsightedness and an exceptional scent ability make this dog a highly prized animal in their homeland where the people revere them. Make sure you give this dog plenty to do, they love to be active and will form strong bonds with owners and their family. However, they are not all work and no play! Even the dedicated Taigan likes some time out for a bit of play!

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