Taiwan Dog

Often called the Formosan mountain dog, the Taiwan dog descends from indigenous pariah-type dogs of Taiwan and is represented today by both native village dogs and a more standardized kennel population. It is a medium, athletic dog with a triangular head, upright ears, tight skin, a sickle tail, and a short coat that may be black, brindle, fawn, white, or pied. Historically these dogs hunted in forested hills, guarded homes, and lived close to rural communities.

As a companion, the Taiwan dog is usually alert, quick to learn, and strongly bonded to familiar people, but it can be reserved with strangers if early socialization is missed. It needs daily exercise and constructive training more than repetitive drilling. Many dogs labeled Formosan in rescue channels are village-dog mixes, which can make size and temperament less predictable; pedigreed Taiwan dogs are comparatively uncommon outside the island. Sensible screening for hips, patellas, and general soundness is worth asking about, along with the dog's history around cats, children, and city noise.

Colors: Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, Yellow