Formosan Mountain Dog vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison

Formosan Mountain Dog vs Alaskan Husky - Breed ComparisonAlaskan Husky is originated from United States but Formosan Mountain Dog is originated from Taiwan. Both Alaskan Husky and Formosan Mountain Dog are having almost same height. Alaskan Husky may weigh 7 kg / 16 pounds more than Formosan Mountain Dog. Alaskan Husky may live 3 years more than Formosan Mountain Dog. Alaskan Husky may have less litter size than Formosan Mountain Dog. Both Alaskan Husky and Formosan Mountain Dog requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Sporting dog
undefined
United States
Taiwan
Height Male:
48 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
48 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
41 - 49 cm
16 - 20 inches
43 - 47 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
21 - 25 kg
46 - 56 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
17 - 19 kg
37 - 42 pounds
12 - 16 kg
26 - 36 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
10 - 13
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Taiwan Canis, Taiwanese Dog, Taiwanese Aboriginal Dog, Native Formosan Dog, Taiwanese Native Dog, Taiwanese Mountain Dog, National Dog Takasago Dog , and Taiwanese Dog., Formosan Hunting Dog, Formosan, Native Taiwanese Dog, Formosan Aboriginal Dog, Formosan Dog, Taiwanse Canis. Formosan Native Dog
Colors Available:
Any color
earthly yellow, Black, or yellow
Coat:
medium coat
smooth and oily
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Social, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

alaskan huskyAlaskan Husky is created to be a working dog who can do many different jobs like hauling logs, transport, supplies delivery, racing dogs, etc. Mushers created this breed. Alaskan Husky is created as a mix of Inuit dog, Siberian Husky, Greyhound and German pointers, and it is very difficult to find pure breed Alaskan Husky, and they are not recognized by any Kennel club.

formosan mountain dogThe Formosan Mountain Dog is most often known as the Taiwan dog and it is a landrace indigenous to Taiwan. It is a small to medium breed of dog that was semi-wild at one time. The colonialization of Taiwan and other foreigners help to fully domesticate the Formosan Mountain Dog. They were found to be very trainable and uniquely suited for the terrain around Taiwan. The dogs were easy to train and now serve as hunting dogs, stunt dogs, guard dogs, rescue dogs, therapy dog and personal companions. There are three types of Formosans two smaller types and one medium. However, the original pure Formosan Mountain Dog is getting close to extinction again because the government and people have provided no protection or conservation efforts for them. These dogs have been living in Taiwan in the mountains and were called Formosan Mountain Dogs when Taiwan was known as Formosa. They come from a line of Southeast Asian hunting/gun dogs and they are considered ‘rare’ now.

According to historian Dr. Sung Yung-yi, the breed went through 4 major catastrophes that affected their development. The first of these was the Dutch Establishment in 1624. The Dutch colonized Taiwan and imported both people and dogs. The dog they brought in was called the Flying Dog and was either Greyhound or Pointer. Eventually, the Flying Dog bred with the Formosan Mountain Dog. This along with the slaughter of dogs belonging to the indigenous people by the government, starting the decline of the original Taiwan dog.

In 1895, it was the Japanese acquiring Taiwan following the First Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese bred the Formosan Mountain Dog extensively with the own Japanese dogs. This further diluted the line and authenticity of Taiwan dogs.

This was followed by World War II when German Shepherds traveled with the US Army and they cross-bred with the Formosan. This was the third major dilution of the Formosan Mountain dog line. At the same time, the Japanese government considered the Formosan Mountain Dog a sanitation threat and barbaric. They massacred them in large numbers in the name of sanitation.

The fourth and final dilution took place during the Kuomintang Era beginning in 1945 with the arrival of the Chinese Nationalist Party. They brought with them the culture of eating dogs. During this time the economy of Taiwan took off and business people began to import their own foreign dogs that were high priced purebreds. These dogs bred with the Formosan and other Formosans were just abandoned to die. The ranks of the breed became very thin indeed. Today’s pure Formosan is highly valuable and extremely rare. Because of all the crossbreeding over the centuries, today’s purebred Formosan Mountain Dog is very different from the Taiwan dog of old. Today’s Formosan is loved all over the island and is a companion and watchdog.

Today there is an effort by Taiwanese ecologists to put together a research project that would study and preserve the Formosan in its indigenous form. Dr. Yung-yi led this effort. He located only 46 dogs with a pure pedigree, 21 females and 25 males. They let the Food and Agricultural of the United Nations know and the dogs were labeled close to extinction. Reproducing from the indigenous dogs to purify and increase the breed was the goal. The government was not very supportive.

Today the Royal Air Force is looking at the Formosan Dog to use for military security. They are currently only using German Shepherds and needed another choice. It was decided that the Formosan Mountain Dog had a better sense of smell, dexterity, alertness, and hearing as well as better padding on their paws.

Through these efforts and those of foundation stock breeders and owners, the Formosan Mountain Dog in its indigenous form was brought back. Some call this dog a purebred Formosan while others consider it a new type. Standards were presented to the FCI for registrations as a purebred. This debate continues today

Description

alaskan husky puppy - descriptionAlaskan Husky average weight depends from dog to dog, but on average male weights 21-25kg, while their height is moderate size. Females are slightly smaller than males, and they can weight 17-19kg.

A lifespan of Alaskan Husky depends, again, from dog to dog, but it is 10-15 years. Of course, if you are taking care of your dog, they can live much longer.

Litter Size of average female is 4-10 puppies.

formosan mountain dog puppy - descriptionThe Formosan Mountain Dog that was seen during Dr. Sung Yung-yi’s research is a medium-sized dog, athletic and fit. It has a deep chest and a slim waist. The ears are half-covered, the nose is black and there is a coating of black on the tongue. This black tongue is the most distinguishing attribute of the Formosan Mountain Dog. The breed has a strong jaw, the skull that is just slightly longer than the muzzle, which is flat and tapered, triangle face and almond eyes. They have a thick coat and upright, curved tail.

The dogs are known to be extremely agile with an ability to hop that is rare in dogs but helps when hunting animals like rats. The Formosan Mountain Dogs hunted in packs with each dog attacking the prey with one bite until it was too exhausted to fight them off any longer.

Characteristics

alaskan husky dog - characteristicsAlaskan Husky is the best dog for the active people or families. They are bred to be working dogs. This breed is not created for it looks or pedigree, but this breed is bred purely to help with various tasks. They love being around the family, and they are very happy and cheerful. Alaskan Husky is not good watchdogs because they love everyone, including strangers. They are highly intelligent breed, but it can be tricky to train them sometimes. You must be a leader who makes decisions because if you are not confident, they will not see the reason for listening to you. The best way of training your dog would be with patience and firm, decisive manner. The old-fashioned way of training that includes punishment is not recommendable. They do not respond well to that. Training with awards is the best way to teach your dog. Alaskan Husky is a very active dog, so they are not very good for apartments. Although, you can have them in apartments but only if they have active walks and exercises. They love jogging, and they can be excellent buddies in any activity. They will love all the animals but it is important for them to socialize from the early age.

Children friendliness

formosan mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Formosan Mountain Dog is very child-friendly. He is affectionate and loyal to his family and protective of his children.

Special talents

He is intelligent and has exceptional hunting skills. He is a good guard dog due to his alertness, but they can be fear-aggressive.

Adaptability

He is very adaptable to living in any location as long as there is somewhere for him to get adequate exercise. He is friendly to people and animals.

Learning ability

He is intelligent and learns quickly.

Health Problems

alaskan husky puppies - health problemsThis breed has no any specific health issues. However, as any breed they can develop some issues that are related to genetics. It is very important to discuss with owners that you are getting the dog from, and if they are not ready to show medical records or proofs that dogs are healthy then you should be extra careful. If you do not have a lot of experience in getting a puppy or an adult dog, you should bring someone who has more experience. Again, this breed is very healthy and if you give them adequate caring with regular vet checks you will have a healthy and a happy dog for a long time.

formosan mountain dog puppies - health problemsBecause there have not been any studies done on the health of the Formosan Mountain Dog, there is not a lot known about any inherent or genetic health issues. It would seem that some bloodlines are healthy, and others have some serious issues. Especially because there are no studies, it is important for breeders to test for eye issues and skeletal issues through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation.

Some of the health issues the Formosan Mountain Dog might be susceptible to.

  1. Dysplasia: Hip and/or Elbow
  2. Can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  3. Luxating Patella
  4. Floating or dislocated kneecap
  5. PRA – Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  6. Degeneration of the retina – causes blindness
  7. Cataracts
  8. Can be removed/causes sight issues or blindness
  9. Mange Demodex/Demodicosis/Demodectic
  10. Caused by mites and can be treated

Caring The Pet

Feeding the Alaskan Husky

alaskan husky dogs - caringFeeding Alaskan Husky, or basically any other dog depends on how active your dog is, and how big it is. Basically, if it is big and very active you will have to give it more food. On average, Alaskan Husky can eat 3-4 cups of high-quality dry food and that should be enough to keep them well-fed and healthy. You can always add vegetables, oil or fruits in their meal, but first, consult which additional food is the best for your dog. Carrots, broccoli, apples are always a good treat for any pet.

Feeding the puppy

Puppies eat more than an adult dog, so it would be perfect if you can divide small portions of food 3-5 times per day. It will help them develop into perfectly healthy adult dogs.

Grooming the Alaskan Husky

They are not very difficult to groom. Overall, Alaskan Husky does not need any special care, except twice a year during shed season. Then you have to brush them with a metal comb every day, but overall, occasional brushing and bathing when it is necessary is more than enough to have a healthy and perfectly groomed pet.

Feeding the puppy

formosan mountain dog dogs - caringFeed a high-quality puppy food for medium size dogs at the rate of a ¼ cup twice a day until 8 months then ½ to ¾ twice a day until 12-16 months.

Feeding the adult

1 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food split into 2 meals per day.

Points for Good Health

Generally healthy breed. Keep clean and watch for mites.

Games and Exercises

This is an energetic breed and he needs a lot of exercise. He must have at least an hour of exercise daily but the more, the better. He loves swimming and jogging with his people. He’s athletic, smart and agile. He does well with field trials, tracking, agility, and obedience.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Formosan Mountain Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Formosan Mountain Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Formosan Mountain Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Formosan Mountain Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Alaskan Husky vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Alaskan Husky vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Alaskan Husky vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Alaskan Husky vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Alaskan Husky vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Alaskan Husky vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Alaskan Husky vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Alaskan Husky vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Alaskan Husky vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Alaskan Husky vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Alaskan Husky vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Alaskan Husky vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Alaskan Husky vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Alaskan Husky vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Alaskan Husky vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Alaskan Husky vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Alaskan Husky vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Alaskan Husky vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Alaskan Husky vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Alaskan Husky vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Alaskan Husky vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Alaskan Husky vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Alaskan Husky vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Alaskan Husky vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Alaskan Husky vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison