MyDogBreeds
Formosan Mountain Dog is originated from Taiwan but Basset Artesien Normand is originated from France. Formosan Mountain Dog may grow 16 cm / 7 inches higher than Basset Artesien Normand. Both Formosan Mountain Dog and Basset Artesien Normand are having almost same weight. Formosan Mountain Dog may live 3 years less than Basset Artesien Normand. Formosan Mountain Dog may have more litter size than Basset Artesien Normand. Both Formosan Mountain Dog and Basset Artesien Normand requires Low maintenance.
The 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
The Basset Artesien Normand hails from Normandy, France. He was bred around the middle ages and was a popular breed with the royalty of France when they met for hunting with hounds. How the Basset was developed isn’t known, but in the 1800s the dog’s popularity grew, and Napoleon himself was a fan. With some people wanting hunting skills in their dog, others good looks and some wanting a heavier dog, the Basset Artesien Normand or the BAN emerged.
Some people believe that the Basset came from a mix of French hounds crossed with smallish breeds such as Beagles and Dashshunds.The truth is that the Basset’s origin is up for debate, but the Basset Artesian Normand took over in popularity from the Basset Normand and the Basset Chien d’Artois. These dogs are now extinct.
The first record of Bassets in America came from the 1700’s when a number of Bassets were presented to George Washington as gifts. It is uncertain what type of Bassets they were, but quite likely they were Basset Artesian Normands. The breed club was established in 1910 and given its present name in 1924. The dog is also recognized by the United Kennel Club in the Scenthound group.
The 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.
The BAN is a small to medium sized dog, between 30 and 36 cm and weighing anything up to 20kg. He is low maintenance in terms of his short coat which is tri-colored – fawn, white with a black patch across the back. He has a long tail which is often held in an upright position. You can’t miss those long ears, which are a distinctive feature of this gentle, good-natured dog and which are low-set on the head. Add to that the dark, soulful eyes and you get a look that ‘wouldn’t hurt a fly.’
The BAN is very similar to the regular Basset Hound but he is much slimmer. This is also because although he is a companion, he was at first a hunting canine, and is fit and muscular when fed the correct diet.
The Basset Artesien Normand is a friendly, affectionate dog, becoming a beloved pet of the family that he loves to be with. His gentle nature means that he won’t score high as a guard dog. He is gentle and affectionate with children in the home, and with some training and socialization he gets on well with other pets in the family. They’re fairly intelligent and you’ll be able to train him to carry out some important commands. As a hound, he tends to want to wander, and it is always a good idea to have him on a leash when out and about with him.
This breed of dog will need a good amount of exercise and other activities, even if it means climbing onto the couch and watching a movie with you. He can’t be left in the garden day after day on his own, and you’ll need to take him on daily walks and give him a game. Exercise is of particular importance for a dog like this, as he can easily put on weight and battle with back problems.
The Formosan Mountain Dog is very child-friendly. He is affectionate and loyal to his family and protective of his children.
He is intelligent and has exceptional hunting skills. He is a good guard dog due to his alertness, but they can be fear-aggressive.
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.
He is intelligent and learns quickly.
The Basset Artesien Normand is such a family friend with his docile personality. Short of stature, he has a keen sense of smell, much like the Bloodhound. With his short, smooth coat, he won’t require much from you in terms of grooming. His long ears, his sad eyes and his outward turned paws are all characteristics which endear him to dog lovers.
He doesn’t like to be left alone. This Basset is yours and he wants to be part of all the action in the house, and that includes meals. He has a hearty appetite, but you don’t want to be feeding him your scraps as he can put on weight quickly. This won’t be good for his health, and as a responsible pet owner, you need to be watching his weight.
Don’t forget his daily walk that he loves so much. Treat him with love and kindness and you’ll have yourself a happy, good-natured companion.
Because 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.
The Basset Artesian Normand is a fairly healthy breed and you can expect him to reach 15 years, although you have to bear in mind that this breed is susceptible to some common health defects. As already mentioned, these long-bodied, short-legged dogs are prone to back problems. Weight gain is common in these dogs and additional weight will aggravate your dog’s back problems.
While hip dysplasia is a genetic disease found more commonly in large dog breeds, it can also affect smaller breeds like the Basset. Your dog may develop a different way of walking and running and he may even resist movement as he can experience stiffness and pain in the rear legs. Hip dysplasia is mostly an inherited condition. Proper diet and exercise can help with preventing the disease.
Feed 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.
1 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food split into 2 meals per day.
Generally healthy breed. Keep clean and watch for mites.
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.
The Basset Artesian Normand has a short, smooth coat and this will ensure that he is low maintenance. A regular brush twice a week will ensure you get rid of loose hairs.
Ear Infections - as is the case with long eared dogs, the Basset Artesian Normand is susceptible to ear infections. Check with your vet if you aren’t sure how to clean your dog’s ears so that you can prevent ear infections.
Brush your dog’s teeth about 2 or 3 times a week with special dog toothpaste- and brush. His nails will also need to be clipped regularly, more so if he doesn’t get to run on hard surfaces which wear the claws down.
You can speak to your veterinarian about wet- and dry dog foods and which type of food would suit your pet best. The type of food you give him, his age and his activity levels will be a guide on how to choose his food. Always make sure that a bowl of fresh, cool water is readily available to your 4-legged friend.