Taiwan Dog
- Medium
- Foundation Stock Service
A loyal, intelligent, versatile guardian from Taiwan, this medium-sized dog reads its owner closely and bonds tightly with family. Bred to hunt small game in the mountains, it is quick to learn and protective of its home.
- Height
- 17 to 20
- inches at the shoulder
- Weight
- 26 to 40
- pounds, adult
- Life expectancy
- 9 to 13
- years, median 11
- Senior from
- 8.2
- years, about
Senior starts in the last quarter of a breed's expected lifespan, following the 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Individual dogs vary.
About the breed
- Temperament
- Loyal, intelligent, versatile
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Origin
- Taiwan
The Taiwan Dog is a medium-sized breed, standing 17 to 20 inches tall and weighing 26 to 40 pounds, with a short, smooth coat. It comes from Taiwan and belongs to the Foundation Stock Service group.
Loyal, intelligent, and versatile, this dog reads its owner closely. That intuitive nature and tight bond were most likely honed over generations of hunting small game together in the mountains.
The Taiwan Dog responds quickly to commands and learns the work it was bred for.
Temperament and needs
Scored 1 to 5 for the breed overall. Individual dogs vary.
- Affectionate with family5 out of 5
- Good with young children3 out of 5
- Good with other dogs3 out of 5
- Openness to strangers3 out of 5
- Playfulness3 out of 5
- Watchdog and protective nature5 out of 5
- Adaptability4 out of 5
- Trainability4 out of 5
- Energy level5 out of 5
- Mental stimulation needs4 out of 5
- Barking level3 out of 5
- Shedding3 out of 5
- Grooming frequency2 out of 5
- Drooling2 out of 5
Care
The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.
Nutrition
The Taiwan Dog does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to the dog's life stage: puppy, adult, or senior. Keep clean, fresh water available at all times.
Some of these dogs gain weight easily, so watch calorie intake and overall condition. Treats help with training, but too many can lead to obesity. Learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not, and check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet.
Grooming
The Taiwan Dog's short, smooth coat needs little grooming. A weekly brushing and the occasional bath will do.
Trim the nails as needed with a clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting, and cracking. Check the ears regularly, since clearing wax and debris helps keep them comfortable. Regular dental care helps prevent tartar build-up.
Exercise
This is an energetic breed that needs regular exercise and fresh games to stay entertained. Good outlets include play in a fenced backyard, walks several times a day, and outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, or retrieving balls and flying discs. In an apartment, even short walks in the hallways help, especially in bad weather.
Keep the mind busy too. Indoor games like hide-and-seek, chasing a ball rolled along the floor, or learning new tricks work well, and training for dog sports like agility, obedience, and rally is another strong outlet.
Training
Socialize and train your Taiwan Dog to temper its strong instinct to guard its owner and household. Early, consistent socialization helps the breed settle, since it can otherwise be reserved toward strangers and fearless in protecting its family.
The Taiwan Dog should be an integral part of the family, not an outside dog. It excels with daily interaction and steady, patient training.
Longevity & Vitality soft chew
Longevity & Vitality is a daily chew built on five active ingredients. Each chew carries Turkey Tail at 600mg, Curcuvet® curcumin at 75mg, Quercefit® quercetin at 40mg, Fibalance® at 275mg and EpiCor® at 50mg. The daily serving follows your dog's weight, from half a chew to three.
