Taigan (Kyrgyz Greyhound)

The Taigan is a Kyrgyz dog breed. Its main characteristic is its adaptability to life in high-altitude conditions. The Taigan is a natural hunter and guard dog, extremely hardy, fast, and courageous. Calm in everyday life, it is swift and feisty in pursuit. Today, there are very few purebred Kyrgyz sighthounds left, but thanks to enthusiasts, they have a future.

Content

1 History of origin
- 1.1 Hunting with Taigan
2 Appearance
3 Character and behavior
4 Content Features
5 Health and life expectancy
6 Where to buy a puppy
- 6.1 Price
7 Photos and videos
- 7.1 Video about the Taigan dog breed

History of origin

The Taigan is a member of the ancient Central Asian sighthound group. The breed originated in Kyrgyzstan. It is related to Kazakh basins, Afghan and Mongolian greyhounds. The Taigan's ancient origins can be deduced from written records. Chroniclers of ancient China, describing the life of the Kyrgyz people, mentioned shaggy dogs with long ears and sharp muzzles that accompanied hunters and guarded entire villages.

Translated from Kyrgyz, "Taigan" means "catch and kill" - the main requirement for a good sighthound.

The Taigan is found primarily in the highlands of Kyrgyzstan, and its main characteristic is its ability to live and hunt at altitudes of 4,000 meters above sea level. The breed is not recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).

In March 2019, Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov presented President Vladimir Putin with an Orlov horse and a Taigan puppy named Sherkhan.

Hunting with Taigan

The Kyrgyz have many tales and legends about taigans that saved entire villages during times of famine. The greyhound is an integral part of the national Salburun hunt. Taigan jarish (taigan race) competitions are also held at hunting festivals.

The Taigan possesses all the qualities necessary for a hunting dog: skill, agility, keenness of vision, ability to catch prey, courage, ferocity, and endurance. It is capable of hunting a wide variety of game, including foxes, badgers, mountain sheep, ibex, and large ungulates. It is used for hunting with the golden eagle. Several dogs can take down a wolf. The Taigan is so agile that it can ambush a marmot before it disappears into its burrow.

Appearance

The Taigan is a medium-sized dog with a lean, well-proportioned build. Its muscles are well developed. The skeleton is strong but not heavy. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced. The height at the sacrum is equal to or 1-2 cm greater than the height at the withers.

Height at the withers of males is 65-70 cm;
The height at the withers of bitches is 65-67 cm.

The head is long, dry, and wedge-shaped. The stop is smooth. The muzzle is elongated, moderately tapering. The lips are dry and thin. The earlobe is large, black, and wide. It may be lighter in red and fawn dogs. The jaws are well developed. The bite is scissor-like, and after 6 years of age it may be level. The eyes are oval, set at an oblique angle, and dark in color. The ears are hanging, 12-14 cm long, thin, with well-developed fur. The neck is mobile and set high.

The topline extends significantly beyond the withers. The back is strong, straight or slightly arched, and broad. The diaphragmatic depression is noticeable. The loin is slightly convex and wide. The croup is wide, sloping, and long. The distance between the hip bones is at least 8 cm. The belly is tucked up, but not sharply. The tail is saber-shaped, curling into a small ring at the end. The limbs are lean, muscular, and bony. The hind legs are set slightly wider than the front legs.

The coat is soft and long, slightly shorter in some areas. A thick undercoat develops in winter. The fur between the toes is coarse. Colors:

black;
grey;
pale yellow;
piebald;
white;
brown;
dark colors with white markings or tan.

Character and behavior

Taigans have an independent, active temperament. These dogs are calm in everyday life, but quickly become excited at the sight of an animal. They are intelligent, independent in behavior and judgment. They are very devoted to their owner, so much so that they can tolerate rudeness from their owner. They will not tolerate injustice or cruelty from others.

The Kyrgyz admire the speed of their taigans, as evidenced by the saying: “When a taigan runs, blood gushes from its ears.”

Taigans are reserved with strangers. They exhibit watchdog qualities and are capable of protecting their owner and territory. They are very freedom-loving. They are sensitive to environmental changes but adapt to them fairly quickly. In Kyrgyzstan, Taigans are usually raised among sheep and cows, so they do not bother livestock. They are tolerant of children's pranks and get along well with other pets they have raised with.

Content Features

According to Kyrgyz tradition, dogs should not be kept indoors, so the Taigan is perfectly suited to year-round outdoor living in the local climate. Today, sighthounds are increasingly being kept in apartments, and the Taigan adapts well to this lifestyle. It requires long walks and the opportunity to run freely away from roads.

Taigan owners who are not hunters should consider alternative activities for their greyhound, such as: coursing.

The Taigan doesn't require extensive grooming. Occasional brushing is sufficient to minimize and accelerate shedding, especially if the dog lives in an apartment. Bathe as needed. It's also important to monitor the condition of the dog's ears, claws, teeth, and eyes.

Health and life expectancy

According to breeders, Taigans are healthy and robust dogs that are free from hereditary diseases, are easy to care for, and rarely get sick. Their life expectancy is 12-15 years.

Where to buy a puppy

The Taigan is a rare and scarce breed, currently on the verge of extinction. The majority of breeders and the majority of the population are in Kyrgyzstan, but even they sometimes have difficulty finding breeding partners. One professional kennel is located in St. Petersburg. Those wishing to acquire a purebred puppy should contact the National Taigan Breed Club for assistance.

There are about 300 purebred Taigan dogs left in Kyrgyzstan.

Price

The price of a Taigan puppy varies widely. A purebred puppy from reputable parents costs an average of $500. A puppy of questionable origin, without papers, typically costs less than $100.