Sanshu vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Sanshu is originated from Japan but Formosan Mountain Dog is originated from Taiwan. Both Sanshu and Formosan Mountain Dog are having almost same height. Sanshu may weigh 7 kg / 16 pounds more than Formosan Mountain Dog. Both Sanshu and Formosan Mountain Dog has almost same life span. Sanshu may have less litter size than Formosan Mountain Dog. Both Sanshu and Formosan Mountain Dog requires Low maintenance.

History

The Sanshu was developed in Japan a century ago – in 1912 in fact.

It is a cross between the Chinese Chow Chow and the ancient Japanese Aichi. People who know these dogs say they bear a resemblance to other Inu breeds, but it has a straight tail and not the usual curved one that you'd expect.

The breed is rare and they aren’t recognized by any breed organization.

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

Description

The Sanshu is a medium sized dog standing at between 50 to 55cm in height and weighing in the region of 20 to 25kg.

There is also a smaller variety. This dog has a wedge-shaped head with a tapering muzzle, dark almond-shaped eyes with small erect ears. The tail is long and is straight but it can bend over the dog’s back. The coat is short and coarse and can come in a number of shades such as tan, white, reddish, white and black.

Temperament:

The Sanshu is a dog that loves to please its owners. Even so, training and socialization should be given to this dog. He is an intelligent dog, and with training and socialization he becomes well balanced and able to respond to a few commands such as sit, come, stay and lie down.

These are loving, loyal dogs and bond closely with their human family. It is a true companion dog and makes an excellent guard dog too. He makes a great pet with children, if the children have been taught to be kind and gentle to animals and not climb all over them.

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.

Characteristics

Sanshu dogs are known for the exceptional companionship they offer. They are loving, loyal dogs, wanting to fit in peacefully with their human companions and eager to please.They are amicable dogs, willing to get on well with other dogs in the family too.

In exchange for such devotion, everyone who owns one of these dogs should be eager to ensure they provide well for their 4-legged family member.

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.

Health Problems

This dog from Japan is a fairly healthy breed, and you can encourage good health by ensuring he gets good food and adequate exercise.

Nonetheless, every dog can fall prey to some of the many dog illnesses there are, and some of these diseases can be skin allergies, hip dysplasia, bloat, digestive issues, cherry eye, cancer and obesity.

Eye Problems:

The condition of the eyes can give away some ideas of a dog’s health. Eye discharge can be a sign of an infection or an allergy. If your dog’s eyes aren’t clear and there is a constant discharge, talk to your vet and get to the root of it. Left untreated, there are some eye diseases that can lead to blindness.

Skin Allergies:

Just like humans get all kinds of skin problems, dogs also do. It can drive them crazy and you see them scratching and biting. Skin allergies are sometimes caused by insect bites or allergies to medication or food. You might see excessive itching, scratching, a nasty rash, watery eyes and chewing of the paws. Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease and you will need to get your pet to the vet.

Dental Problems:

You need to check inside your pet’s mouth and make sure that a bad tooth isn’t causing your pet tremendous pain and infection. Sometimes missing teeth can also interfere with the way your pet eats.

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

Caring The Pet

Brush the coat twice a week to rid the coat of loose hairs.

Check the ears and eyes for infection.

Feel for unusual lumps on your pet’s body.

Provide your pet with a warm, dry place to sleep.

Keep your pet’s vaccines up to date to eliminate killer canine diseases.

Have your pet spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted puppies.

Feed your pet well. A Sanshu dog will require the best dog food there is. If you give him commercially manufactured food make sure it is one of the better brands to avoid toxic ingredients.

To add some variety, feed him some home made food occasionally which can be added to his dry kibble twice a week. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet. Try and include some raw meat into the diet as this can help in fighting off horrible skin diseases. Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water for him.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
Japan
Taiwan
Height Male:
50 - 55 cm
19 - 22 inches
48 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
50 - 55 cm
19 - 22 inches
43 - 47 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
20 - 25 kg
44 - 56 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
20 - 25 kg
44 - 56 pounds
12 - 16 kg
26 - 36 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
10 - 13
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
None
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
Colors Available:
white, reddish, white and black , Tan
earthly yellow, Black, or yellow
Coat:
Short and coarse
smooth and oily
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. French Spaniel vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Formosan Mountain Dog vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  5. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  6. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  7. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  8. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  9. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  10. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  11. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  12. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  13. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  14. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  15. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  16. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  17. Shikoku vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  18. Slovakian Hound vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  19. Small Munsterlander vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  20. Sussex Spaniel vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  21. Kooikerhondje vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  23. West Siberian Laika vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  24. Wetterhoun vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  25. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  26. Schnoodle vs Sanshu - Breed Comparison
  27. Sanshu vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  28. Sanshu vs Golden Doodle - Breed Comparison
  29. Sanshu vs Pomsky - Breed Comparison
  30. Sanshu vs Old English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  31. Sanshu vs Puggle - Breed Comparison
  32. Sanshu vs Aussie Poo - Breed Comparison
  33. Sanshu vs Eurasier - Breed Comparison
  34. Sanshu vs Irish Doodles - Breed Comparison
  35. Sanshu vs German Spitz (Mittel) - Breed Comparison
  36. Sanshu vs Bordoodle - Breed Comparison
  37. Sanshu vs Pandikona - Breed Comparison
  38. Sanshu vs Dalmador - Breed Comparison
  39. Sanshu vs Renascence Bulldogge - Breed Comparison
  40. Sanshu vs Hairless Khala - Breed Comparison
  41. Sanshu vs Jindo - Breed Comparison
  42. Sanshu vs Hermes Bulldogge - Breed Comparison
  43. Sanshu vs Elo - Breed Comparison
  44. Sanshu vs Kromfohrlander - Breed Comparison
  45. Sanshu vs Dutch Smoushond - Breed Comparison
  46. Serbian Tricolour Hound vs Sanshu - Breed Comparison
  47. Valley Bulldog vs Sanshu - Breed Comparison
  48. Whoodles vs Sanshu - Breed Comparison
  49. Mini Sheepadoodles vs Sanshu - Breed Comparison
  50. Beabull vs Sanshu - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds