Formosan Mountain Dog History

Posted on November 16, 2016 by Primitivedogs Team

The Formosan Mountain Dog (Taiwan Dog) is one of the oldest and most primitive dog breeds in the world. These dogs predate the first human inhabitants on the island, Austronesians, who migrated to Taiwan some 6.000 years ago. So, it is not surprising that very little is known about the true origin of these dogs. This breed, or better to say landrace, is in fact much older than any written records of dog breeding. A recent genetic study confirmed that the Formosan Mountain Dog descended from ancient Pariah hunting dogs from Southeast Asia, which had arrived in Taiwan sometime between 20.000 and 10.000 years ago. According to Japanese researchers who conducted this study, these ancient progenitor dogs were closely related to the Dingo and the New Guinea Singing Dog, with whom Taiwan Native Dogs share many similarities. Continue Reading →

Taiwan Dog Breed Info And Characteristics

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Primitivedogs Team

The Taiwan Dog (Taiwanese Canis, Takasago Dog) or Formosan Mountain Dog (Formosan Native Dog) is a Dingo-like, versatile working dog originating from the island of Taiwan (Formosa). The breed is the descendant of the ancient hunting dogs of Southeast Asia, which had arrived in Taiwan sometime between 20.000 and 10.000 years ago. That’s why the Formosan Mountain Dog is considered one of the oldest and most ancient dog breeds in the world. For centuries, Formosans were mainly kept and bred by the Aboriginal Taiwanese people for hunting and guarding. Actually, they were the only breed of dog on the island. Unfortunately, that has changed with the arrival of Dutch colonists back in 1624. That was the first time foreign dogs were imported to Taiwan. Soon afterwards, they started crossbreeding with Taiwan Dogs disturbing the breed’s purity for the first time. In the coming years, numbers of purebred Formosan Dogs rapidly declined due not only to crossbreeding, but killing too, especially during the Japanese and Chinese rule of the island. Supposedly, the most brutal impact on the numbers of Formosans had the Chinese when they brought their traditional dog eating culture to the island. At the half of the last century, the Taiwan Dog breed was brought to the brink of extinction. Continue Reading →

Ten Most Interesting Portuguese Podengo Facts

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Primitivedogs Team

The Portuguese Podengo is the National breed of Portugal. This is a primitive type Sighhound best known for its excellent hunting skills. There are three varieties of Podengos – Podengo Pequeno (small), Podengo Medio (medium) and Podengo Grande (large). They do not only differentiate by their size, but temperament and working habits to some degree. In general, these are all pack-hunting dogs, but can as well hunt singly. In their native country, Podengos are primarily used to hunt rabbits. They are generally good family companions, but only if they undergo early socialization. Early socialization is particularly important for a Podengo Grande. Luckily, Portuguese Podengos are relatively easy to socialize and train, but only in the hands of a dominant and experienced owner. When working with these dogs, one has to be firm and confident, but calm and careful. Positive reinforcement techniques are recommended in this case. Now, let’s take a look at ten most interesting Portuguese Podengo facts. Continue Reading →

Portuguese Podengo Dogs Characteristics

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Primitivedogs Team

The Portuguese Podengo or Podengo Português (Portuguese Warren Hound) is a primitive type Sighthound breed originating from, as its name suggests, Portugal. The breed comes in three varieties – Portuguese Podengo Grande (large), Portuguese Podengo Medio (medium), and Portuguese Podengo Pequeno (small). Except their size and weight, they are more or less the same dogs with only a few noticeable differences, which I’ll explain later in this article. There’s a common opinion that these dogs were developed from hounds imported to the Iberian peninsula from Egypt and North Africa by the Phoenician traders approximately 3.000 years ago. However, some experts believe that this breed particularly had evolved from small Iberian wolves. Anyhow, there’s no denying that these Portuguese dogs have many similarities with other Mediterranean hounds, such as the Pharaoh Hound, Podenco Canario, Cirneco dell Etna or Ibizan Hound. That’s why the Podengo Português breed is by the FCI included in the group 7: Primitive Types – Hunting Dogs in the class of primitive dogs. Continue Reading →

Ibizan Hound Dog Info And Characteristics

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Primitivedogs Team

The Ibizan Hound or Podenco Ibicenco dog is a primitive Sighthound originating from, as its name suggests, Ibiza (Balaeric Islands), Spain. The breed, also known as Balaeric Dog, was developed from the pariah dogs brought from Ancient Egypt to Ibiza by the Phoenician traders, a few thousand years ago. There, in the seclusion of its native island, it left isolated for centuries. This isolation is the reason this dog remained nearly unchanged to this very day. Ibizan Dog is quite similar to other Mediterranean hounds, such as Podenco Canario, Portuguese Podengo, Cirneco dell Etna or Pharaoh Hound. He is included in the Primitive Types – Hunting Dogs group in the class of primitive dog breeds. The Ibizan Hound is a slim and agile hunting dog, who is often used to hunt small game in its native country. He is highly intelligent, playful, quiet and elegant. Podenco Ibicenco life span can vary from 11 up to 14 years. Continue Reading →