Formosan Mountain

Overview of Formosan Mountains

The Formosan Mountain Dog, commonly referred to as simply Formosan, and also known as Taiwanese Dog/Canis () or Taiwanese Native Dog () is a breed of dog indigenous to Taiwan. They are well adapted to the uneven and thickly forested terrain of Taiwan, having become a semi-wild breed prior to the arrival of several colonial reigns and foreign powers. Notwithstanding these adaptations, Formosans retained the potential to be trained, and are now used as hunting dogs,guard dogs, stunt dogs, rescue dogs, or simply as companions. Formosans are classified into one medium type and two small types,

Description

Appearance

There are two small types, one is about 40cm shoulder height, the other is around 30cm. However, the later one was not found during the research conducted by Dr. Sung, Yung yi,(宋永義), in 1976. The medium type has the shoulder height under 50cm, with firm and fit body , slim waist, big chest, and half covered ears. The most common one right now is medium-sized dog. Its color range from black, earthly yellow to yellowish brown, and the nose is black.

Dr. Sung of National Taiwan University and Mr. Ming Jie, Xu of Formosan Dog & Guard Dogs Breeding Center (台灣犬護衛犬繁殖中心) described a typical Formosan has almond eyes, firm jaw strength, black coating on the tongue, and triangular face, thin prick ears, and sickle tail. The tail is upright or curved with a thick coat, but the belly is hairless; the tail is used to warm the belly, and may even be long enough to protect the snout from insects. The dog is also well known for its well-balanced. According to Chen, there is no shortage of stray dogs in Taiwan that could be mistaken for a pureblood Formosan, but purebloods tend to have a strong sense of direction, smell, sight, and hearing.

Temperament and Behaviour

Extremely faithful to its master, keen in sense, alert in movement, bold and fearless. Works extremely well in group hunting. Many owners of this dog mentioned that it is very difficult for strangers to get close to the dog once the dog has establish a relationship with its owner. Only the owner can pat on the dog, and Formosan is very loyal and protective to its owner.

Standard

* Proportions

• Depth of chest : Height at the withers = 4.5 – 4.7 : 10.
• Height at withers : Length of body = 10 : 10.5. Bitches are allowed to be slightly longer.
• Length of muzzle : Length of skull = 4.5 : 5.5.

Size & WeightT :

• Height : Dogs : 48 cm - 52 cm. Bitches : 43 cm - 47 cm.
• Weight : Dogs : 14 kg to 18 kg. Bitches : 12 kg to 16 kg.

• Head
• Cranial Region :
• Forehead : Broad and roundish, without wrinkle.
• Skull : The skull is slightly longer than the muzzle.
• Stop : Well defined with a slight furrow.

• Facial Region :
• Nose : Moderate size. Nostrils wide. Black in colour, but can be slightly lighter in all colours except for the blacks.
• Muzzle : Nasal bridge flat. Lips tight, without flews. The muzzle tapers a little from base to nose, but is not pointed at the tip.
• Jaws/Teeth : Jaws are strong. Scissors bite, teeth are set square to the jaws.
• Cheeks : Well developed and slightly protruding.
• Eyes : Almond in shape. Dark brown in colour. Brown is also acceptable, but yellow or light eyes should be avoided.
• Ears : Pricked, set on sides of the skull at an angle of 45 degrees. Inside of the outline is straight, while outside of the outline is slightly rounded.

• Neck : Muscular, strong, good length, slightly arched. Without dewlap.

• Body :
• General : Sinewy and muscular, nearly square in shape.
• Back : Straight and short. Withers well developed.
• Loin : Firmly muscled.
• Croup : Broad. Flat or very slightly sloping and short.
• Chest : Fairly deep yet not reaching the elbow. Forechest slightly protruding. Ribs are well sprung.
• Belly : Well tucked up.

• Tail : In the shape of a sickle, set on high, carried erect, active, with the tip curving forward.

• Limbs :

• Forequarters :
• Shoulders : Well muscled. Shoulder blades are laid back. They should meet the upper arms at an angle of 105-110 degrees.
• Elbows : Close to the body.
• Forearms : Straight and parallel to each other
• Metacarpus (Pasterns) : Firm.

• Hindquarters : Hindlegs should be slender, with good bone, well muscled and parallel to each other. The rear angulation should be in balance to the front.
• Upper thighs : Broad, sloping and well bent at the stifle.
• Lower thighs : Should be in balance with upper thighs.
• Metatarsus (Rear pastern) : Perpendicular to the ground.

• Feet Turning neither in nor out. Pads are firm and thick. Nails are black in colour, but lighter colours are acceptable in all colours except for the blacks.

• Gait/Movement : Powerful gait with reaching stride. Agile enough to easily turn 180 degrees quickly.

• Coat/Hair : Short and hard, lying tight to the body. Length is between 1.5 to 3 cm.

• Colour : Black, brindle, fawn, white, white and black, white and fawn, white and brindle.

History

Four Catastrophe Events

There are four catastrophe events described by Dr. Sung, Yung yi, (宋永義) that deeply influence the existance of Formosan Mountain Dog. The Dutch Settlement, Japanese Rule, Worl War II, and Kuomintang Era.

the Dutch Settlement

The first one happens during Dutch settlement. In 1624, the Dutch established a commercial base at Tayoan City, the colonial capital (present day Anping, Tainan County, southern part of Taiwan). After the Dutch made Taiwan a colony they began to import workers from Fujian and Penghu (Pescadores) as laborers, many of whom settled.

The Dutch military presence was concentrated at a stronghold called Castle Zeelandia. The Dutch colonists imported a hunting dog (the dog was known as the "Flying Dog") to Taiwan and started to hunt the native Formosan Sika deer (Cervus nippon taioanus) that inhabited Taiwan, contributing to the eventual extinction of the subspecies on the island. During the settlement, the Dutch hunting dog started cross-bred with Formosan Mountain Dog, and this is the first time ever that foreign specie influencing Formosan Mountain Dog. Furthermore, Dutch prohibited the native owned dogs so they slaughtered large numbers of indigenous dogs.

Japanese Rule

In 1894-95 Great Qing Empire was defeated in the First Sino-Japanese War. When the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed on April 17, 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan, which sought to transform Taiwan into the supply-end of an extremely unequal flow of assets (Gold 1986:36). This is the first time Taiwanese Aborigines into contact with a new colonial structure. The means of accomplishing this goal took three main forms: anthropological study of the natives of Taiwan, attempts to reshape the Aborigines in the mould of the Japanese, and military suppression. During Japanese rule era, Taiwanese aboriginals were under Japanese repressive rules, and Formosan Mountain Dog was intensively cross-bred with Japanese dog due to the fact that Japanese government relocated many remote high mountain villages closer to administrative control (Takekoshi 1907:210–219). Furthermore, Japanese immigrant massively exploring the east coast, currently called Hualien County and Taitung County. The east coast expedition further provide a chance of cross-breeding Japanese dog with Formosan.

World War II

At the end of World War II, for military purpose and preventing US army landing on the east coast of Taiwan, Japanese started to build the Central and Southern Cross-Island Highway. During the construction, there is this military dogs traveling with the highway construction, the German Shepherds. This leads to cross-breeding between the Formosan and the military dog. If not these stratigic constructions, Formosan may have a chance to preserve their bloodline high deep in the mountain.

Dr.Sung (宋永義) said to the New Taiwan journalist: "Formosan dog is very smart, agile, but they are more primitive animal, and do not want to be caged. For example, during birth period, they will find a cave and usually will not return until few months later with their puppies. Another example, the master do not need to provide a lot of foods for them, they have the habit of finding their own foods. These were the reason Formosan was called the “barbarian dog,” by Japanese. For sanitation excuse, Japanese military launch a large-scale massacre of Formosan to reduce the local dog population."

Another say is during the time when Japanese military is building the Central and Southern Cross-Island Highway, they were constantly encountered by the Aborigines. The Aborigines launched numerous assaults to the Japanese military bases. During the night time, Formosan Dogs gathered and hunt down Japanese military dogs, leaving bloody scene in the morning. For revenge, Japanese military killed every Formosan they saw to reduce Fromosan population.

Kuomintang Era

Threat

Breeding Problems

Originally kept by aboriginal Taiwanese as hunting dogs, but now purebred Formosans are extremely rare and valuable. Since pure Formosans are extremely rare, dog mates with its siblings, thus increase the risk of having genetic disorder and unstable behavior. For this reason, outcross occurred very often since the lack of pure female with steady trait, and it is one of the major reasons modern Formosan dogs looks different compare to old photos or documents in the early days. Some insist it is a natural change which doesn't affect the whole theme while others are eager to preserve the indigenous types and its bloodline.

Crossbreeding with other dogs

Crossbreeding with pet and feral domestic dogs is currently thought to be the Formosan's greatest threat for survival.

Dog meat

Dog meat is known as "fragrant meat" (香肉 xiāng ròu) in Taiwan. However, it never was a common dish in the menu and usually it was only eaten in the winter, especially black Formosan Dog. In the prescription of Traditional Chinese Medicine dog meat was known to help retain body warmth. In 2004, consuming dog meats was banned by the Taiwnese government, due to both pressure from domestic animal welfare groups and a desire to improve international perceptions, although there were some protests. Nevertheless, it is still possible to find dog meat in some rural area, but this is becoming increasingly rare.

Study

Taiwan Dogs are originally native Taiwanese dogs, descendants of the South Asian hunting dogs called “Pariah dog” which ancient local inhabitants used to live with in the central mountainous districts. This breed was the loyal companion of the ancient hunter in the wildforest. In 1980, a cooperative study was carried out by the National Taiwan University, Japanese Gifu University, and Nagoya University Scholars on the subject of native Taiwan dogs, by visiting twenty-nine tribes of local inhabitants. As a result, it was confirmed that the present Taiwan Dog is a descendant of the South Asian hunting dogs. This breed is now popular all across the island as a watch and companion dog.

Of the 46 purebloods that Dr.Yung yi Sung found during 1976-1980, blood tests showed that they were related to dogs found in Southern Japan and that they were descendants of the South Asian Hunting Dog. Little of these known outside of Taiwan, Formosans are recognized with a pedigree from the Taiwan Kennel Club and the International Canine Organization.

Current

Conservation status

Since 1976, many Taiwanese ecologists had tried to convince Taiwanese government to take action on forming a Formosan Research Team to help and to preserve pure indigenous Formosan. Potentially replicate the Dingo's model from Australia to protect Formosan. The most notable action took was by ecologist Dr. Sung, in 1983, he spoke in an Formosan Sika Deer Conference and request Taiwanese government to take immediate action in protecting Formosan Dogs. This bold request by Dr. Sung was because he and his colleagues had difficulties in finding pureblood Formosan Mountain Dogs during his five years studies, from 1976 till 1980. In order to find enough population for his study he located 29 Taiwanese aboriginal villages in the mountain ranges and initiated a mass search. Nevertheless, only 46 out of 160 Formosan Mountain Dogs he found had an A rank purity. Out of these 46 Formosans, 25 were dogs and 21 were bitches. This number alerted the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nation as the animal is close to extinction.

Dr. Sung told the New Taiwan News: Till this day people in Taiwan still have not yet have the sense and concept of respecting life. Dr. Sung believes, Formosan Mountain Dog rehabilitation program should be encouraged by Taiwanese Government's efforts and carry out by careful planning. Currently, reproduction is the most urgent task. He believes, every Formosan Dog should be register, a household registration and specify the mating. Till now, Taiwanese government still have not taken any action in protecting these indigenous Formosan Dogs. Dr. Sung also said that after knowing how Taiwanese Government handle the Formosan Sika Deer Rehabilitation Project, he was discouraged, he did not dare to have any thought on launching a conservation project for Formosan Dog. Sadly he said: "For a developed country, Taiwan currently is not one yet."

Breeder

Most of the foundation stock owners and breeders are hesitate to make public appearances. They stayed behind the theme and sell only males of their bloodlines to those who has Formosan dog kennels and attends local dog shows. Potentially, this may increase the dogs' risk of having genetic disorder and unstable behavior. However, some argues that credits must be given to those breeders as they are the one who are keeping the bloodline pure.

The most well-known and high profile breeder is Ming Nan, Chen. Like many who born in the 50's, Chen owned a Formosan as a child. In the 1980s he started a business dedicated to creating a pure-bred Formosan close to the one in his childhood memory, beginning with a single puppy that he purchased for NT$30,000 (about US$910.00) from an aborigine man.

External links

• Taiwan Native Dog‧the beautiful world
• Formosan Dogs website
• Taiwanese Dogs website

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