Formosan Mountain Dog vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison

Formosan Mountain Dog vs East Siberian Laika - Breed ComparisonFormosan Mountain Dog is originated from Taiwan but East Siberian Laika is originated from Russia. Formosan Mountain Dog may grow 14 cm / 5 inches shorter than East Siberian Laika. Formosan Mountain Dog may weigh 6 kg / 13 pounds lesser than East Siberian Laika. Formosan Mountain Dog may live 3 years less than East Siberian Laika. Formosan Mountain Dog may have more litter size than East Siberian Laika. Formosan Mountain Dog requires Low maintenance. But East Siberian Laika requires Moderate maintenance

History

formosan mountain dog - historyThe Formosan Mountain Dog is most often known as the Taiwan dog and it is a landrace indigenous to Taiwan. It is a small to medium breed of dog that was semi-wild at one time. The colonialization of Taiwan and other foreigners help to fully domesticate the Formosan Mountain Dog. They were found to be very trainable and uniquely suited for the terrain around Taiwan. The dogs were easy to train and now serve as hunting dogs, stunt dogs, guard dogs, rescue dogs, therapy dog and personal companions. There are three types of Formosans two smaller types and one medium. However, the original pure Formosan Mountain Dog is getting close to extinction again because the government and people have provided no protection or conservation efforts for them. These dogs have been living in Taiwan in the mountains and were called Formosan Mountain Dogs when Taiwan was known as Formosa. They come from a line of Southeast Asian hunting/gun dogs and they are considered ‘rare’ now.

According to historian Dr. Sung Yung-yi, the breed went through 4 major catastrophes that affected their development. The first of these was the Dutch Establishment in 1624. The Dutch colonized Taiwan and imported both people and dogs. The dog they brought in was called the Flying Dog and was either Greyhound or Pointer. Eventually, the Flying Dog bred with the Formosan Mountain Dog. This along with the slaughter of dogs belonging to the indigenous people by the government, starting the decline of the original Taiwan dog.

In 1895, it was the Japanese acquiring Taiwan following the First Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese bred the Formosan Mountain Dog extensively with the own Japanese dogs. This further diluted the line and authenticity of Taiwan dogs.

This was followed by World War II when German Shepherds traveled with the US Army and they cross-bred with the Formosan. This was the third major dilution of the Formosan Mountain dog line. At the same time, the Japanese government considered the Formosan Mountain Dog a sanitation threat and barbaric. They massacred them in large numbers in the name of sanitation.

The fourth and final dilution took place during the Kuomintang Era beginning in 1945 with the arrival of the Chinese Nationalist Party. They brought with them the culture of eating dogs. During this time the economy of Taiwan took off and business people began to import their own foreign dogs that were high priced purebreds. These dogs bred with the Formosan and other Formosans were just abandoned to die. The ranks of the breed became very thin indeed. Today’s pure Formosan is highly valuable and extremely rare. Because of all the crossbreeding over the centuries, today’s purebred Formosan Mountain Dog is very different from the Taiwan dog of old. Today’s Formosan is loved all over the island and is a companion and watchdog.

Today there is an effort by Taiwanese ecologists to put together a research project that would study and preserve the Formosan in its indigenous form. Dr. Yung-yi led this effort. He located only 46 dogs with a pure pedigree, 21 females and 25 males. They let the Food and Agricultural of the United Nations know and the dogs were labeled close to extinction. Reproducing from the indigenous dogs to purify and increase the breed was the goal. The government was not very supportive.

Today the Royal Air Force is looking at the Formosan Dog to use for military security. They are currently only using German Shepherds and needed another choice. It was decided that the Formosan Mountain Dog had a better sense of smell, dexterity, alertness, and hearing as well as better padding on their paws.

Through these efforts and those of foundation stock breeders and owners, the Formosan Mountain Dog in its indigenous form was brought back. Some call this dog a purebred Formosan while others consider it a new type. Standards were presented to the FCI for registrations as a purebred. This debate continues today

east siberian laika - historyThe East Siberian Laika Is a Russian dog developed for hunting in Siberia. The breed is a spitz type and good hunting large or small prey. It hunted squirrels and grouse as well as moose, mountain lions and bears. In the cold, snowy Siberia it was also a sled dog. There are four types of Russian Laikas: the West Siberian Laika, the Karelo-Finnish Laika, the East Siberian Laika and the Russo-European Laika.

Dog from the Evenki National Territory, the Lake Baikal region, the Maritime Territory, the Irkutsk Province, and the Amur River basin were the breeding groups from which the East Siberian Laika developed. In 1947 the East Siberian Laika was designated as a separate breed from the other Laikas. All 4 Laikas were registered as separate breeds at the All -Union Cynological Congress. Biologist K.G. Abramov is credited with developing the first standard for the breed.

The breed is recognized by the American Canine Association, Inc (ACA), the Dog Registry of America (DRA) as well as the FCI. They are not recognized by the UKC or the AKC. Only the government breeds the East Siberian Laika in Russia.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
Taiwan
Russia
Height Male:
48 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
55 - 66 cm
21 - 26 inches
Height Female:
43 - 47 cm
16 - 19 inches
55 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
20 - 24 kg
44 - 53 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 16 kg
26 - 36 pounds
19 - 22 kg
41 - 49 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
10 - 13
6 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Taiwan Canis, Taiwanese Dog, Taiwanese Aboriginal Dog, Native Formosan Dog, Taiwanese Native Dog, Taiwanese Mountain Dog, National Dog Takasago Dog , and Taiwanese Dog., Formosan Hunting Dog, Formosan, Native Taiwanese Dog, Formosan Aboriginal Dog, Formosan Dog, Taiwanse Canis. Formosan Native Dog
ESL Vostotchno-Sibirskaia Laika
Colors Available:
earthly yellow, Black, or yellow
black, ticked, red and brown of all shades, grey, with light patches (called karamis), patched, Black and tan, white, grizzle
Coat:
smooth and oily
long and double
Shedding:
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

formosan mountain dog puppy - descriptionThe Formosan Mountain Dog that was seen during Dr. Sung Yung-yi’s research is a medium-sized dog, athletic and fit. It has a deep chest and a slim waist. The ears are half-covered, the nose is black and there is a coating of black on the tongue. This black tongue is the most distinguishing attribute of the Formosan Mountain Dog. The breed has a strong jaw, the skull that is just slightly longer than the muzzle, which is flat and tapered, triangle face and almond eyes. They have a thick coat and upright, curved tail.

The dogs are known to be extremely agile with an ability to hop that is rare in dogs but helps when hunting animals like rats. The Formosan Mountain Dogs hunted in packs with each dog attacking the prey with one bite until it was too exhausted to fight them off any longer.

east siberian laika puppy - descriptionWithin the East Siberian Laika there are several different types, but two important ones are the Evenki and Irkutsk. Of all the Laikas, the East Siberian is the most diverse in physique and in color. It is a rangy dog, heavy boned and proportionately appears square. It has triangular, erect ears and a tail that curves over his back. The shape of his head can vary within the regions and the types.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

formosan mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Formosan Mountain Dog is very child-friendly. He is affectionate and loyal to his family and protective of his children.

Special talents

He is intelligent and has exceptional hunting skills. He is a good guard dog due to his alertness, but they can be fear-aggressive.

Adaptability

He is very adaptable to living in any location as long as there is somewhere for him to get adequate exercise. He is friendly to people and animals.

Learning ability

He is intelligent and learns quickly.

east siberian laika dog - characteristicsThe East Siberian Laika is bred to hunt and hunt large prey as well as small. For this reason, he usually doesn’t get along well with other dogs or other large predators. Other wise he is a calm; well-mannered dog and he can be a very good watch dog. They are very trainable and make great companion dogs.

The East Siberian Laika is the calmest and quietest of the four Russian Laikas. They are very affectionate and loyal to their families. They love to walk, jog, hike, run or camp with their family.

Health Problems

formosan mountain dog puppies - health problemsBecause there have not been any studies done on the health of the Formosan Mountain Dog, there is not a lot known about any inherent or genetic health issues. It would seem that some bloodlines are healthy, and others have some serious issues. Especially because there are no studies, it is important for breeders to test for eye issues and skeletal issues through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation.

Some of the health issues the Formosan Mountain Dog might be susceptible to.

  1. Dysplasia: Hip and/or Elbow
  2. Can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  3. Luxating Patella
  4. Floating or dislocated kneecap
  5. PRA – Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  6. Degeneration of the retina – causes blindness
  7. Cataracts
  8. Can be removed/causes sight issues or blindness
  9. Mange Demodex/Demodicosis/Demodectic
  10. Caused by mites and can be treated

east siberian laika puppies - health problemsBesides injures related to hunting, the East Siberian Laika is prone to several other conditions including dysplasia and:

  1. Monorcidism
  2. Occasionally seen in puppies where they have only one testicle.
  3. Umbilica Hernia

The contents of the dog’s abdomen come through the abdominal wall at the umbilicas. They are surgically repaired.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

formosan mountain dog dogs - caringFeed a high-quality puppy food for medium size dogs at the rate of a ¼ cup twice a day until 8 months then ½ to ¾ twice a day until 12-16 months.

Feeding the adult

1 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food split into 2 meals per day.

Points for Good Health

Generally healthy breed. Keep clean and watch for mites.

Games and Exercises

This is an energetic breed and he needs a lot of exercise. He must have at least an hour of exercise daily but the more, the better. He loves swimming and jogging with his people. He’s athletic, smart and agile. He does well with field trials, tracking, agility, and obedience.

Feeding

east siberian laika dogs - caringThis is an active, working dog and should be fed accordingly. Probably 1.5-2 cups of high quality dry dog food, two times a day.

Health issues

The East Siberian Laika is an ancient breed and fairly healthy though prone to dysplasia:

Hip Dysplasia

The hip socket is not formed correctly, and the bone cannot fit properly causing lameness and/or arthritis.

Elbow Dysplasia

Primary lesions and cartilage surrounding the elbow join and resulting in osteopathic injuries.

Exercise and games

Again, this is a working dog. They need at least a half hour of moderate/vigorous exercise every day. A fenced in ran is a plus. You will also need to play with him to keep him from getting bored. Catch, flyball, or agility would all suit this breed well.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. East Siberian Laika vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
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  4. East Siberian Laika vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
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  6. East Siberian Laika vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  7. East Siberian Laika vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  8. East Siberian Laika vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  9. French Spaniel vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  10. Flat-Coated Retriever vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  11. Finnish Spitz vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  12. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  13. English Water Spaniel vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  14. Field Spaniel vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  15. Lagotto Romagnolo vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
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  26. French Spaniel vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  30. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  31. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  32. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  33. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  34. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  35. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  36. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  37. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  38. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  39. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  40. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  41. Shikoku vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  42. Slovakian Hound vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  43. Small Munsterlander vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Sussex Spaniel vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  45. Kooikerhondje vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  46. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. West Siberian Laika vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  48. Wetterhoun vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  49. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

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