Top Activities For Taigans

Introduction

Taigans are a dog breed very similar to a Greyhound that originates from Kyrgyzstan. While they aren’t recognized nationally by kennel clubs, they are from the sighthound family, designed to act as a hunting companion in mountainous regions. Taigans are a very unusual breed that features a medium-length curly coat but has the body and stature of a Greyhound. And, just like a Greyhound, they require plenty of exercising to keep any destructive behavior at bay. If you are the proud owner of a Taigan but you need some help to provide them with adequate stimulation, we’ve included some helpful activity options below.

Hiking Adventure

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Moderate

Hard

2 - 3 hrs

Items needed

Leash

Food

Water

Activity description

Taigans have adapted over time to traverse mountainous terrain as if they were a flat lawn surface. They know how to make challenging crevices look like a walk in the park, which make them an excellent hiking companion. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, it’s well worth your consideration to include your Taigan on the adventure. They can keep up, all the while staying alert and on-guard for the duration of the trip. All you need to do is choose a sunny day, carry plenty of food and water for you both, a mobile phone and tell your loved ones when you’ll be back.

Step

1

Choose a hiking location

With plenty of enthusiasm and agility, your Taigan will be able to handle any hiking location that you can. Traditionally, people bred them for their intelligence and skill in mountainous hunting regions, and they carry this trait today. However, while the location might be suitable for them, you may find that some spots do not allow dogs due to the popularity of a particular track. When you’re looking for a hiking trail, be aware of restrictions as well. For example, your dog must be on a leash no longer than six feet on the Gatlinburg Trail in Tennessee, and on the Appalachian Trail, you both should wear blaze orange clothing.

Step

2

Pack your gear

Even though both your pup and you will be adept at day hiking, it’s crucial to pack as if you were heading out overnight. Weather can take a turn for the worst, and it’s critical to make sure you have warm clothing and plenty of food and water. Lucky for you, however, given the origins of Taigans and their shaggy coat, they are a hardy breed of dog that can handle almost any challenging conditions you can throw at them.

Step

3

Hike and bond

Now that you’re prepared for your adventure, it’s time to hit the road. A two or three-hour hike will be all you and your pampered pooch need to enjoy the great outdoors. Taigans typically do require a substantial amount of exercise, and hiking with them is one way to both increase your bond and tire them out, so they’re less destructive at home. If you mix a monthly hike with regular walks and runs, you’ll find it’s more than enough to keep them fit and healthy.

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Dog Park Fun

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Free

Easy

1 hr

Items needed

Leash

Treat

Toys

Activity description

When you first get a Taigan as a puppy, it’s crucial to begin socialization straight away. If you don’t introduce them to other dogs early on, they can become fearful and shy and less likely to enjoy the company of both people and dogs. Therefore, if you don’t own another dog to keep them company, but you want them to be confident around other animals, then taking them to the dog park when it’s sunny is a good idea. It’s a free and easy activity that takes only an hour out of your day, and it’s something that's usually conveniently close by to your home as well. As a result, it’s not out of the question to take them several times a week.

Step

1

Choose a park

Given the number of dog owners in any town or city, it’s not unusual to have one or more dog parks in proximity to your home. However, not all will be suitable for your needs. Some are fenced in for all dogs to play together, while others separate them by small, medium, and large, or only small and large. Your Taigan can fit into that medium to large size and grows to around 70 to 75 pounds. However, they can be quite a petite dog. Therefore, you can put them in with dogs you believe are evenly matched in body size and weight.

Step

2

Play

Now that you’ve found a suitable park, it’s time to play! Your pup is sure to love the freedom of all that play area, as well as all the toys you’ve brought with you. If you’re only beginning to socialize your pup, you can take them in on a leash and slowly introduce them to the other dogs. However, it’s important to realize that Taigans can run at up to 60 kilometers per hour. Therefore, if you haven’t practiced recall with them, you may have a hard time trying to catch them.

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Running

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Free

Easy

30 - 60 min

Items needed

Leash

Doggy waste bag

Activity description

Knowing that your Taigan can run at up to speeds of 60 kilometers per hour, there’s every reason to believe they can become your new running companion. Owning a Taigan does require you to spend a lot more time being active, so choosing to take up running, or do it more frequently, can only but benefit you both. When you’ve got an hour up your sleeve, grab your pup and head out into the sunshine. You can take to the streets, choose a park, or run along back country lanes. Any long run with your dog is sure to tire them out and keep them out of trouble.

Step

1

Choose a route

While Taigans don’t typically have a huge prey drive, and they are very loyal to their owners, it does help to choose a route with fewer distractions. If you have to stop often so your dog can sniff around, they’re bound to be less tired than if they ran more of the route. Therefore, it might help to stick to nature trails, backcountry lanes, and quiet streets that offer few distractions.

Step

2

Run and enjoy

Put on your pair of running shoes and hit the road! When you go running, be sure to invest in a proper leash of which you have full control. Running requires more concentration than walking, and your dog is fast enough that you may have a hard time keeping up with them if you let the leash go. Furthermore, while running in the sun can be pleasant, make sure it’s not too hot. If you can’t stand on the pavement in your bare feet, then neither can your dog.

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More Fun Ideas...

Obedience Training

Taigans respond very well to positive reinforcement, so when you sign up for obedience training, you will have no problem helping them to learn the basics. Sit, stay, heel, and come are all popular options that puppies learn in the beginning, and obedience training will also give your Taigan a chance to socialize early on as well.

Walk

To prevent destructive and boredom-related bad behavior at home, it’s not a bad idea to include one or two walks into your regular exercise routine every day. If you can set aside half an hour to an hour, that’s more than enough to sap up a little of your active pup’s energy.

Conclusion

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, then you are sure to find that a Taigan can become man’s best friend in no time. Your pup loves daily exercise, and if you try any of these activities above such as hiking, walking, or running, they will thank you for it. Stop destructive behavior in its tracks and give your pampered pooch the time of their life.