The Formosan Mountain Dog (or Formosan) is a breed of small or medium dog indigenous to Taiwan. These dogs are also known as Taiwanese Dog/Canis (Chinese: 臺灣犬) or Taiwanese Native Dog (Chinese: 臺灣土狗). They are well-adapted to the uneven and thickly forested terrain of Taiwan, having become a semi-wild breed prior to the arrival of several colonial reigns and foreign powers. Notwithstanding these adaptations, Formosans retained the potential to be trained, and are now used as hunting dogs, guard dogs, stunt dogs, rescue dogs, or simply as companions. Formosans are classified into one medium type and two small types. However, now the pureblood Formosan Mountain Dog is still close to extinction due to limited conservation efforts of the Taiwanese and their government. Native Dog (Chinese: 土狗) is the common name in Taiwan nowadays to indicate that the dog is an offspring of Formosan with foreign dogs, it is commonly confused with Taiwan Native Dog (Chinese: 台灣土狗).
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