Tasy vs Ryukyu Inu - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

The Ryukyu Inu is a medium-sized dog that comes from Okinawa, Japan.

It’s a dog that is fairly rare having been used to track boar. There isn’t much information on the dog’s history but after its numbers declined after World War II, there was an urge in the 1980s to save the breed.

The dog isn’t recognized by any major Kennel Clubs.

Call them Tasy or Tazys these sighthound dogs from Kazakhstan have always been used for hunting. This Turkish dog is thought to be one of the oldest dog breeds in the world.

There aren’t many left in the world and the Kazakhstan government is putting steps into action to prevent the dog from becoming extinct.

These dogs are not recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale. Their ancestry is unclear, but the dog shares DNA with quite a few similar-looking breeds.

Japanese dog breeds end with the word ‘Inu’ or ‘Ken’ . It means ‘dog’.

The medium sized Ryukyu Inu stands at between 46 to 50cm in height and weighs between 15 to 25kg. He has a black nose, dark brown eyes and erect ears. The tail is long and curls over the back.

The dog’s coat is short and you get the single- and double coated varieties. The coat can be brindle, red, white, liver or black. Some of the dogs have tiger-like stripes in the coat. People are amazed at these dogs as they have incredible climbing abilities and are even capable of climbing a tree.

Temperament:

These dogs are quiet, unobtrusive dogs. The Ryukyu Inu looks very much like a wild dog, which gives the impression of being un-trainable and ferocious but they are easily trained and make splendid pets.

Many people who have had them as pets say they would choose this dog over and over again. They are brave too and get on well with children or pets in the home. They don’t look for trouble, and their kind, stable natures make them excellent therapy dogs.

They’re intelligent dogs and will require plenty of mental and physical stimulation. They will also need to be trained and socialized as they are confident, strong-willed dogs who might not obey you if left to do what they want.

The slender Tasy is a fairly large dog standing at between 55 to 72 centimeters in height and weighing in the region of 20 – 35g.

The dog has a short, silky coat and can be in a number of colors – fawn, grey, red.The tail is long and thin, the legs long and slender, the muzzle long and thin and the floppy ears are often folded back.

Temperament:

Independent and Intelligent, the Tasy will be easy to train. This is a gentle dog, not looking to get into trouble with other dogs. He gets on well with children and loves human companionship. They are known for their playfulness.

This dog has always been a hunting dog so he will want to have his fair share of good exercise – long walks as well as ball and rope games.

He makes a splendid pet because he has an amicable nature wanting to please. He is quiet, loving and loyal, and with such a dog in your home and heart, you just keep discovering what a wonderful pet this 4-legged friend can be.

The Tasy is such a beautiful dog and capable of making a splendid family pet and companion.

It is sad that these dog's numbers have dropped so much so that there is concern for its existence.

We hope that the Tasy's breeding programs meet with success and that this slender, attractive dog, such an ancient breed, will take his place firmly as man’s best friend.

These Japanese dogs are thought to be fairly healthy dogs, but like with most other dogs, you would need to be aware of hip dysplasia, bloat, caner and hypothyroidism.

The Ryukyu Inu, with its 10 to 12 years lifespan, will be prone to minor ailments, but with good care he is not likely to succumb to any of them.

Cataract:

Cataracts have a number of causes in dogs. This disease of the eye can occur at any age, and can develop over weeks or even years.

Cataracts can occur in just one eye or both eyes and a disease such as diabetes can bring on a cataract.

Good nutrition is important for a dog to build a strong immune system, and nutritional supplementation can certainly help to enhance lens health. Cataract surgery can be performed to remove the cataracts.

Your Tasy is such a beautiful dog, you don’t want to see him getting sick, and yet there are some illnesses and conditions he can succumb to -

Hip Dysplasia:

Many large breeds, even slender ones, can be prone to hip dysplasia. This is where the joint’s ball and socket don't fit together properly. For your canine friend it can mean pain and arthritis, and you may find your pet making a huge effort to stand once he is lying down.

Obesity:

Any dog can become overweight, but it is more noticeable in slender-build dogs like the Tasy. Obesity pus unnatural pressure on the joints and it is also linked to other health problems. Every dog needs good food and good exercise.

Do research on other dog problems such as cancer, skin problems and bloat.

The coat of the Ryukya Inu requires brushing twice a week to remove loose hairs. At the same time check your dog over for new lumps and check inside his mouth for bad teeth. Bad teeth can cause lots of pain and toxins within the body. You can also choose to have the teeth seen to and cleaned by your vet.

Provide him with his own warm, dry place to sleep.

Provide him with top quality food. There are some excellent commercially manufactured foods on the market that make a point of ensuring good ingredients in them. Your Ryukya Inu needs good food to ensure longevity and health.

Try to include some home-made food for him which can be simply mixed into the dry kibble twice a week. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots is super tasty and nutritious. This food can all be chopped up, refrigerated and added warmed up and in small portions to your pets dry kibble once or twice a week. Your dog will love it.

Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.

Have him neutered or spayed if you aren’t wanting puppies.

Keep his vaccines up to date against some deadly canine diseases.

Get him to the vet when he is injured, in pain or sick.

Exercise:

The Tasy is a playful, energetic dog and will need to be exercised on a regular basis. He loves a good run and is the kind of dog that won’t do well in a small city property. He is far better suited to life in the country where he can run freely.

Grooming:

The Tazy is looked upon as being low maintenance. It’s always a good idea to get into the habit of brushing your dog’s coat once or twice a week to not only remove loose hairs but to have some bonding time with your pet.

It’s also time to run your hands over the lean body ad to make sure there aren’t any unusual lumps. Look inside his ears and make sure there is no sign of redness to indicate an infection. Remember, if you don’t like to do the grooming part for your pet, professional groomers can do all these things for you as well as trim his nails and clean his teeth.

Diet:

The Tasy is a fairly tall, lean, energetic dog, so if you opt to feed him one of the commercially manufactred dog foods there are, choose one that suits the age, size and energy levels of your pet.

Your dog can get sick if you feed him inferior dog food so read the packaging carefully and make sure its a good brand with vitamins and minerals instead of useless, toxic fillers.

Try to include some simple,home-made food devoid of spices or other exotic things that can give him a stomach ache. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a super healthy choice. Chop it up and feed it to your pet twice a week or so as a tasty treat.

Always make sure that your canine friend has access to fresh, cool water.