The history of the origin of the Kyrgyz taigan, external standard, features of behavior and its health, care and training, interesting facts. Purchasing a puppy. Fast, hardy, agile, keen-sighted, balanced, and such characteristics are inherent in one dog. In addition, they can develop extraordinary speed and are not at all afraid of wolves. These dogs are versatile. From time immemorial they were used in many spheres of life of the nomadic people of Kyrgyzstan. People love and appreciate their dogs, although there was a period when pets were threatened with extinction. But the people honor their heritage and fans of the breed are engaged in its revival. It is even said about these dogs in Manas, the largest Kyrgyz historical epic.
History of the origin of the Kyrgyz taigan breed
Taigans were and remain loyal friends who follow their masters step by step through time space. And time flows like water, transforming everything around. States and religions replaced each other, but the four-legged companions of the Kyrgyz horsemen remain unchanged.
For the Kyrgyz people, the Taigan was not just a hunting dog, but a true and reliable friend in a dangerous nomadic life for many centuries. The age of the breed is impressive. Ancient Chinese historians, having first told about the nomadic life of the inhabitants of Kyrgyzstan, wrote about shaggy dogs with narrow muzzles and long ears, which accompanied hunters and guarded entire villages.
Today, the “taigans” who are engaged in breeding these greyhounds can be counted on one hand in Kyrgyzstan. The Taigan pedigree line was almost lost, but with the help of enthusiasts and amateurs, it is gradually beginning to revive. In the heart of Central Asia, there are still unjustly forgotten representatives of these dogs. Their number so far is barely three hundred copies throughout the country and, unfortunately, according to the study of cynologists, it is dramatically decreasing.
There are a lot of wires for this. This is the comparative geographical remoteness of the breeding regions and the change in the usual order of life of the indigenous population. And most importantly, the lack of enthusiasm, and the possibility of conducting professional breeding work, and, as a consequence, the depressing state of domestic cynology. The prepared draft breed standard was adopted by the All-Union Cynological Council under Glavpriroda in 1966, and the final standard was approved only at the turn of the 1980s.
When the leader of the USSR N. Khrushchev visited the Kirghiz SSR, he inspected the pastures of sheep breeding farms. False conclusions were made to them and hasty directives were issued to reduce the number of indigenous hunting dogs, including taigans. The party leader believed that the local population spends a lot of time hunting, and more need to be engaged in grazing sheep. Literally all shepherds were given out puppies of East European shepherds.
After that, almost all Kyrgyz wolfhounds and most of the famous taigans (the best breed individuals), which were kept by livestock herders, were destroyed. Such dogs, which lived with hunters in urban and rural areas, were used exclusively during the seasonal hunting period. Therefore, thanks to such factors, one hunter could have no more than two such greyhounds. The descendants of those taigans have survived to this day, which hunters-fans of the breed could somehow save.
These dogs are practically unknown outside their homeland. They say that an indicator of the health of a nation is the attitude towards children, the elderly and animals. The Kirghiz have everything in order - the elderly are respected, children are loved, animals are appreciated. Therefore, they are trying to revive the national breed - after all, this is their ancient heritage and living wealth. Interestingly, in the mountains, children are called "kyuchuk", which means a puppy. But love and severity are not mutually exclusive things of each other and the rules here are the same for everyone.
Unlike other peoples of the east, the Kyrgyz never allowed dogs, even greyhounds, into their yurt. There is such a practice in Kazakhstan and Mongolia, but the Kyrgyz say: "Taigan must carry his fur coat with him, he has nothing to do in people's homes." Everyone should be able to handle a horse, weapon and dog well in the mountains. The Kyrgyz attach great importance to everything related to hunting.
One cannot do without the help of the Almighty. Before this serious matter, all participants must pray. After, they read the historical folk poetic epic - Manas. This is not only a monument of literature, but philosophy - an explanation of what is happening in the world now and what happened before. The taigan has a special role in the work. His name was "Kumoik" and he was a comrade-in-arms of the main character Manas the magnanimous. He was born from a snow vulture and even a lion could not compare with him in strength and courage.
This is followed by the rite of sacrifice, by which people bind themselves by blood ties. The saddle of a horse is smeared with the blood of a sacrificial animal for good luck. Now, as well as many years ago, when going hunting, people here expose themselves to real danger. In Kazakhstan, the dog is the first friend, and the horse is the first mate. The name of the breed of these dogs "Taigan" in translation from Kyrgyz means - catch up and kill.
In order to popularize the national type of hunting, a festival called "Sau Burun" is being held in Kyrgyzstan. This is a group, complex and long-distance ancestor hunt. The festival is very popular. Amateur fans from all over the republic come to it. The event must be carried out on horseback. It is unique in that together with greyhounds, hunting birds - golden eagles - take part in it.
The riders, together with the dogs, comb the slopes; at the top there is a hunter with a golden eagle. Taigans search for an animal by smell, "lift" it and drive it down. Then the bird comes into play. She must, as they say here, get the prey. Rarely does a beast manage to escape her sharp claws. If for some reason the attack is unsuccessful, the golden eagle returns back to the owner's hand.
There is a whole system of training a bird and a dog. From a young age, birds and dogs are fed and kept together in the same courtyard. This type of hunting has been countless for years. The first greyhounds appeared about seven thousand years before the birth of Christ. As soon as man tamed the wild horse, greyhounds and hunting birds appeared at the same time. This is the oldest art.
Now there are very few places in the world where people continue to hunt in this way. Mostly in the Middle East. But unlike the Arab countries, where only very wealthy people can afford such entertainment, in Kyrgyzstan, human prosperity is not its defining moment.
Taigans live here with many ordinary shepherds. With them, they mainly go to foxes, badgers, less often to small ungulates, but there are also such dogs that take a wolf. They are called "kyryan" in translation means extraordinary or extraordinary. With such a hunt, a couple of taigans are always released. Of course, they cannot always defeat the predator, but their task is only to stop him and wait for the arrival of the hunter.
Taigan develops a speed of up to 70 km per hour, the golden eagle flies even faster. But this deadly tandem does not always win. It happens that the wolf remains hungry, and sometimes the hunter comes back not salted.
Description of the external standard of the Kyrgyz taigan
The physique is slender, with light bones and a well-tucked belly. A well-curved neck complements the look. Bulky breasts allow them to function well. The muscles are well defined, which gives the dog agility. Height at withers from 57 cm to 72 cm.
- Head long, dry, wedge-shaped, the skull is broad. The occipital protuberance is not very prominent.
- Muzzle dry. The transition from the frontal part to the muzzle is smooth, practically not pronounced. Its upper line is straight or with a small hump. Has a full range of powerful teeth.
- Nose developed. The nose is black or brown for lighter colors.
- Eyes rather large, oval in shape. Eyelid incision with oblique. The color range of the iris is brown or dark brown.
- Ears Kyrgyz taigan hanging, without folds, with thin cartilages. Rounded at the ends, fitting snugly to the head. Set at eye level or slightly above. The end of the slightly elongated ear should reach the corner of the lips. Their length is 18 cm.
- Neck long, lean musculature, slightly compressed laterally, set high. The withers stand out noticeably. Behind it there is a slight deflection (prezluchina).
- Frame elongated, lean, sloping or beveled. Wide at the top. The ribcage protrudes forward. It is wide, narrowed-oval, wedge-shaped, down to the elbows. The ribs are not very prominent. The back is strong, broad from above, muscular, short, slightly curved upward or straight. The loin is slightly arched or straight muscular. The distance between the pelvic bones (maklaki) is 9 cm. The abdomen is tucked up high, but without a sharp transition.
- Tail thin, long, in the shape of a saber, at the end it is twisted in a ring or half ring. The ring does not fully unbend, since the last vertebrae are fused. Its length is slightly higher than the hock. In a calm state, it is lowered; in movement, the taigan keeps the first third of the tail at the level of the spine or slightly above it.
- Front limbs - long, thin, straight and dry. The angle of the shoulder and scapula joint is straight. The pasterns are long, slightly sloping or steep. Deflection in the wrist joint (kozinets) is not permissible. Hind legs - erect, parallel to each other, laid back, dry. The angles of the articulations stand out, wider than the front ones. The hock joint is prominent. Metatarsus elongated, slightly oblique or vertical.
- Paws in a ball, fingers pressed together. There is a little fur between them. The front feet can be hawkish.
- Coat elongated, fluffy, soft to the touch, with a developed undercoat. In the winter season, it is thicker. The wavy guard hair is longer and thicker along the lower part of the tail, on the ears, limbs and flanks. The muzzle, forehead and cheekbones, as well as the front and hind legs are covered with short hair.
- Color mostly black, but sometimes pale white, reddish, grayish, speckled, beige. There are individuals with tan markings.
Characteristic features of the behavior of the Kyrgyz greyhound
Taigan is restrained and even indifferent, but at the sight of the beast we are easily aroused. The peculiarity is that these greyhounds are perfectly adapted to cold weather, and are very hardy on long-distance runs. They have good maneuverability, agility and vigilance. Capable of long-term pursuit. They tolerate extreme alpine conditions well. They are born hunters. Taigans have been forming for centuries - universal canines. They work well as hounds on the blood trail, as greyhounds skillfully pursue prey, as shepherds are irreplaceable guards of flocks of livestock from all kinds of predators. Pets provide prey not only for their owner, but also for themselves.
The peaceful appearance of the Kyrgyz taigans never betrays the essence of these virtuoso and serious hunters. It's incredible how they, with the help of dexterity and cunning, take on such a worthy rival as a wolf. Dogs sense it from a distance and can recognize an impending pack attack on a herd. Therefore, they do not sleep at night - they keep their ears open, guarding the cattle that graze in open space around the clock. Sometimes the "raiders" themselves become victims in the battle with the Kyrgyz taigans.
Health of the Kyrgyz taigan
Kyrgyz greyhounds are very strong and hardy dogs. They have excellent immune systems. Some individuals lived to be 18 years old. Of course, their skeletal system is subject to severe stress, and therefore most diseases occur in this area.
Tips for caring for Kyrgyz taigans, training
- Wool these dogs do not have the property of tangling and getting very dirty. Therefore, water procedures are extremely rare. They need more frequent combing only during the period of intensive shedding. This is done with a puffer or furminator.
- Ears Hanging taigans, therefore, try to inspect them from time to time and, if necessary, clean them.
- Eyes if foreign particles such as dust or pieces of earth get into them, wipe with a damp cotton pad towards the inner corner.
- Teeth it is better to cleanse the pet systematically or give it to the prevention of animal cartilage.
- Claws these fast, energetic dogs grind down themselves.
- Feeding active, working dogs should be reinforced. Feed the dog well, but do not overfeed, because it is a greyhound. If you have selected a high-quality dry concentrate, then the dosage is indicated on the back of the package. Natural food should consist mainly of lean meat from cows, sheep, rabbits and poultry. Also, give offal and cereals.
- Walking Taigans should be long-term and active. If you live in a city, then you should devote all your free time to your beloved greyhound. Take her regularly to special docking stations. There the dog will run out and realize the hunter's instinct inherent in it. If the pet does not receive the necessary load, he can not only recover, which will cause irreparable damage to his physical health, but can also get sick psychologically - fall into depression. We can conclude that this dog is not for the city. It is best to start them suitable for hunters and shepherds.
Puppies of the Kyrgyz taigans begin to train from three, four months. Thus, they acquire the necessary skills to hunt wild animals. During classes, their lungs begin to develop and grow, their muscular and skeletal systems become stronger.
Interesting facts about the Kyrgyz taigan
There is a special trainer for these greyhounds. It is called "cherga" - an ordinary stick at the end of which a fox's skin is tied. With the help of it, the agility and speed of the dog develops. Conducting such classes, you need to take a break after a while. In order for the taigan to work, first of all, recklessly. The pet should retain a keen interest in this "toy", which will later become a real prey.
These greyhounds have a slightly slower start-up time than their other greyhound species. But on the other hand, they are more hardy. At dog competitions in Russia, dog handlers called taigans mongrels. Taunts sounded until the race began at a distance of eight kilometers. At the beginning, the Kyrgyz dogs remained behind, but when five hundred meters were left, they suddenly overtook everyone, and the other blue-blooded greyhounds fizzled out. Taigans came to the finish line first. This is how their sportiness was proven. After that, those people who unjustly offended the Kyrgyz pets went to the breeders and asked them to show their dogs. Everyone appreciated the dogs - so the honor of the breed was restored.
Taigan is the second fastest animal after the cheetah. He runs equally fast: up and down. Greyhound is not at all afraid of the wolf. Few canines can boast of such courage.
Acquisition of a Kyrgyz taigan puppy
Breeders in Kyrgyzstan try to keep the breed from degenerating. They exclude closely related relationships as much as possible. Professionals are trying to find purebred taigans for mating and reproduction of offspring in other nurseries. Breeders only sell puppies to those interested in the conservation of the species. This is how true lovers are passing along the chain from generation to generation of these dogs. Nowadays, puppies of this ancient dog breed cost over $ 200, and the price of adults ranges from $ 1,300 to $ 1,500.
For more information about the Kyrgyz taigan, see the following story:
