Taigan vs Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer - Breed Comparison

Known also as the Kyrgyzdyn Taighany, the Taigan is a sighthound dog from Kyrgyzstan. Today the dog is recognized by a number of kennel clubs,and more recently by the FCI.

It was after 1991, when Kyrgyzstan became independent, that the role of the dog changed and t became a working dog again.

It was about in 1995 that a new breed standard was adopted, and since 2005 a national kennel club has existed in Kyrgyzstan.

The Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer is a gundog from Slovakia. The dog came about by crossing the Cesky Fousek, German Wirehaired Pointers and Weimaraners. Other names for this dog include Slovensky Hrubosrsky Stavac.

Developers were looking for a dog with good stamina – a dog capable of tracking hares and birds. The dog was first introduced into the United Kingdom in 1997.

The Taigan is a large dog, looking much like a Grehound. He stands at between 55 and 82cm in height and weighs about 25 - 34kg.

He has that typical slender body and slender head of the greyhound. The coat of the dog is medium length and somewhat curly and can be many colours, sometimes even bi-colored – cream, black and white, brown, grey or yellow.

During the Winter the coat can become long and thick. The ears are floppy and covered with wavy fur. The tail is long and a distinguishing mark of the dog is the way the end of the tail coils up into a ring.

These dogs can’t be kept in small city properties – they are used to wide open spaces.

Temperament:

An intelligent breed, the Taigan will readily learn some basic commands to make him well mannered and obedient. He is strong willed and independent, so it will be beneficial to have him trained.

He also makes a good watchdog. He is an even-tempered dog and he enjoys human companionship although he is somewhat reserved with strangers. Even so, he will still need a strong, firm owner as he is strong-willed and independent and likes to go his own way.

He is able to get along well with children in the home and other pets. Being a fairly large dog, and one that likes to run, he is better suited to large properties in the countryside as opposed to living in the city.

The Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer has got some looks from each of the dogs he was derived from. He is a fairly large dog and the coat is short to medium length and harsh and wiry and he has some additional hair around the face area.

Most times the coat is a grey-brown shade. The ears are medium length and floppy and the tail is mostly docked at 50% of natural length, although these days it is often left long. It is carried downwards when at rest but raised when in action.

He stands between 62 – 68 cm in height and he weighs 25 – 35kg.

Temperament:

This is an energetic dog that is going to need a lot of exercise, so he won’t suit living with people who aren't active. He just loves to be outside and will thrive on a farm.

He is good with children and other dogs, but training and socialization should be provided for this dog. He is intelligent and will learn easily.

They’re affectionate dogs and their social nature makes them ideal for lively families. Because he is so active he is best suited for living in the suburbs or the countryside as opposed to living on a small property in the city.

Taigans are energetic dogs and they want a lot of activity. They’re good watchdogs too and are gentle with children.

They’re intelligent and independent and also strong willed. They’re fearless, calm, balanced, loving and loyal and capable of being an excellent pet and companion.

People who have owned these dogs rave about their loyalty and affection. They’re also intelligent and become very well behaved as they are dogs that also want to please their owners.

They’re gentle dogs too, just wanting to be loved by their human family and craving attention.

They’re also regarded as low maintenance pets and all these positive aspects of this dog make him a splendid choice if you're looking for a wonderful pet and companion

Any dog, no matter how healthy they may appear to be, can encounter any one of the many common dog illnesses there are. It is highly unlikely that your Taigan will experience these health issues but it’s good to be aware of some of them -

Bone Cancer:

Also known as osteosarcoma, bone cancer is more commonly seen in large dogs of any breed. It’s a cancer which spreads rapidly through the body and it is terribly sad that the prognosis for your dog is poor.

You might notice swelling, joint pain and lameness and your dog will appear to always be tired. Sometimes you might see a growth. Your vet might do x-rays and if you catch it early, you can give your pet a longer lease on life.

Your Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer can reach 14 or 15 years of age if he is looked after well but hip dysplasia is a threat for any dog.

Hip Dysplasia:

Any aged dog can be affected and this mobility disease is caused when the hip joint develops abnormally. Although hip dysplasia is genetic, environmental factors can also play a part. The idea is to get treatment from the vet so that your canine friend isn’t in pain.

Dental Problems:

This can cause so many problems in the body and not just the teeth. Have your dog’s teeth checked regularly and have them cleaned.

Discospondylitis:

Your dog can have neck or back pain from this ailment, occurring when the discs and vertebrae of the spine become infected. Provide your dog with healthy food to ensure a strong immune system to fight off diseases like this.

The Taigan is a large slender dog and you want to keep him that way.

Diet:

If you feed him one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure its for a large, active dog breed and that it has a good list of ingredients. There are bad packaged dog foods and you want to avoid these. They are devoid of vitamins and minerals.

Read the packaging to see how much food to give. Also try and give your dog some home-made food too. Make sure it isn’t spicy, exotic foods. Stick to simple, wholesome foods such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots. Chop the food up and mix it into the dry kibble twice a week or so as a treat.

Also try and include some raw meat in occasionally.

Never leave your pet without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

General Care:

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

Get him to the vet if he is showing signs of sickness.

Give him a good dose of exercise – walks, hikes, runs, ball games etc.

See that his vaccines are up to date.

Have him or her neutered or spayed to avoid unwanted puppies.

If you bring a dog into your family, provide it with love and attention.